Obfuscated Files or Information

Adversaries may attempt to make an executable or file difficult to discover or analyze by encrypting, encoding, or otherwise obfuscating its contents on the system or in transit. This is common behavior that can be used across different platforms and the network to evade defenses.

Payloads may be compressed, archived, or encrypted in order to avoid detection. These payloads may be used during Initial Access or later to mitigate detection. Sometimes a user's action may be required to open and Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information for User Execution. The user may also be required to input a password to open a password protected compressed/encrypted file that was provided by the adversary. [1] Adversaries may also used compressed or archived scripts, such as JavaScript.

Portions of files can also be encoded to hide the plain-text strings that would otherwise help defenders with discovery. [2] Payloads may also be split into separate, seemingly benign files that only reveal malicious functionality when reassembled. [3]

Adversaries may also obfuscate commands executed from payloads or directly via a Command and Scripting Interpreter. Environment variables, aliases, characters, and other platform/language specific semantics can be used to evade signature based detections and application control mechanisms. [4] [5][6]

ID: T1027
Tactic: Defense Evasion
Platforms: Linux, Windows, macOS
Defense Bypassed: Application control, Application control by file name or path, Host forensic analysis, Host intrusion prevention systems, Log analysis, Signature-based detection
CAPEC ID: CAPEC-267
Contributors: Christiaan Beek, @ChristiaanBeek; Red Canary
Version: 1.2
Created: 31 May 2017
Last Modified: 11 March 2022

Procedure Examples

ID Name Description
S0045 ADVSTORESHELL

Most of the strings in ADVSTORESHELL are encrypted with an XOR-based algorithm; some strings are also encrypted with 3DES and reversed. API function names are also reversed, presumably to avoid detection in memory.[7][8]

S0331 Agent Tesla

Agent Tesla has had its code obfuscated in an apparent attempt to make analysis difficult.[9] Agent Tesla has used the Rijndael symmetric encryption algorithm to encrypt strings.[10]

S0504 Anchor

Anchor has obfuscated code with stack strings and string encryption.[11]

S0584 AppleJeus

AppleJeus has XOR-encrypted collected system information prior to sending to a C2. AppleJeus has also used the open source ADVObfuscation library for its components.[12]

S0622 AppleSeed

AppleSeed has the ability to Base64 encode its payload and custom encrypt API calls.[13]

G0099 APT-C-36

APT-C-36 has used ConfuserEx to obfuscate its variant of Imminent Monitor, compressed payload and RAT packages, and password protected encrypted email attachments to avoid detection.[14]

G0026 APT18

APT18 obfuscates strings in the payload.[15]

G0073 APT19

APT19 used Base64 to obfuscate commands and the payload.[16]

G0007 APT28

APT28 encrypted a .dll payload using RTL and a custom encryption algorithm. APT28 has also obfuscated payloads with base64, XOR, and RC4.[8][17][18][19][20]

G0016 APT29

APT29 has used encoded PowerShell commands.[21]

G0022 APT3

APT3 obfuscates files or information to help evade defensive measures.[22]

G0050 APT32

APT32 uses the Invoke-Obfuscation framework to obfuscate their PowerShell and also performs other code obfuscation. APT32 has also encoded payloads using Base64 and a framework called "Dont-Kill-My-Cat (DKMC). APT32 also encrypts the library used for network exfiltration with AES-256 in CBC mode in their macOS backdoor.[23][24][25][26][27][28][29]

G0064 APT33

APT33 has used base64 to encode payloads.[30]

G0067 APT37

APT37 obfuscates strings and payloads.[31][32][33]

G0087 APT39

APT39 has used malware to drop encrypted CAB files.[34]

G0096 APT41

APT41 used VMProtected binaries in multiple intrusions.[35]

G0143 Aquatic Panda

Aquatic Panda has encoded commands in Base64.[36]

S0456 Aria-body

Aria-body has used an encrypted configuration file for its loader.[37]

S0373 Astaroth

Astaroth obfuscates its JScript code, and has used an XOR-based algorithm to encrypt payloads twice with different keys.[38][39]

S0438 Attor

Strings in Attor's components are encrypted with a XOR cipher, using a hardcoded key and the configuration data, log files and plugins are encrypted using a hybrid encryption scheme of Blowfish-OFB combined with RSA.[40]

S0347 AuditCred

AuditCred encrypts the configuration.[41]

S0640 Avaddon

Avaddon has used encrypted strings.[42]

S0473 Avenger

Avenger has the ability to XOR encrypt files to be sent to C2.[43]

S0475 BackConfig

BackConfig has used compressed and decimal encoded VBS scripts.[44]

G0135 BackdoorDiplomacy

BackdoorDiplomacy has obfuscated tools and malware it uses with VMProtect.[45]

S0534 Bazar

Bazar has used XOR, RSA2, and RC4 encrypted files.[46][47][48]

S0574 BendyBear

BendyBear has encrypted payloads using RC4 and XOR.[49]

S0268 Bisonal

Bisonal's DLL file and non-malicious decoy file are encrypted with RC4 and some function name strings are obfuscated.[50][51]

S0570 BitPaymer

BitPaymer has used RC4-encrypted strings and string hashes to avoid identifiable strings within the binary.[52]

G0063 BlackOasis

BlackOasis's first stage shellcode contains a NOP sled with alternative instructions that was likely designed to bypass antivirus tools.[53]

S0520 BLINDINGCAN

BLINDINGCAN has obfuscated code using Base64 encoding.[54]

G0108 Blue Mockingbird

Blue Mockingbird has obfuscated the wallet address in the payload binary.[55]

S0657 BLUELIGHT

BLUELIGHT has a XOR-encoded payload.[56]

S0635 BoomBox

BoomBox can encrypt data using AES prior to exfiltration.[57]

S0415 BOOSTWRITE

BOOSTWRITE has encoded its payloads using a ChaCha stream cipher with a 256-bit key and 64-bit Initialization vector (IV) to evade detection.[58]

S0651 BoxCaon

BoxCaon used the "StackStrings" obfuscation technique to hide malicious functionalities.[59]

S0482 Bundlore

Bundlore has obfuscated data with base64, AES, RC4, and bz2.[60]

S0030 Carbanak

Carbanak encrypts strings to make analysis more difficult.[61]

S0484 Carberp

Carberp has used XOR-based encryption to mask C2 server locations within the trojan.[62]

S0335 Carbon

Carbon encrypts configuration files and tasks for the malware to complete using CAST-128 algorithm.[63][64]

S0348 Cardinal RAT

Cardinal RAT encodes many of its artifacts and is encrypted (AES-128) when downloaded.[65]

S0465 CARROTBALL

CARROTBALL has used a custom base64 alphabet to decode files.[66]

S0462 CARROTBAT

CARROTBAT has the ability to download a base64 encoded payload and execute obfuscated commands on the infected host.[67]

G0114 Chimera

Chimera has encoded PowerShell commands.[68]

S0667 Chrommme

Chrommme can encrypt sections of its code to evade detection.[69]

S0660 Clambling

The Clambling executable has been obfuscated when dropped on a compromised host.[70]

G0080 Cobalt Group

Cobalt Group obfuscated several scriptlets and code used on the victim’s machine, including through use of XOR and RC4.[71][72]

S0154 Cobalt Strike

Cobalt Strike can hash functions to obfuscate calls to the Windows API and use a public/private key pair to encrypt Beacon session metadata.[73][74]

S0369 CoinTicker

CoinTicker initially downloads a hidden encoded file.[75]

S0244 Comnie

Comnie uses RC4 and Base64 to obfuscate strings.[76]

S0126 ComRAT

ComRAT has used encryption and base64 to obfuscate its orchestrator code in the Registry. ComRAT has also embedded an XOR encrypted communications module inside the orchestrator module. ComRAT has encrypted its virtual file system using AES-256 in XTS mode and has encoded PowerShell scripts.[77][78]

S0608 Conficker

Conficker has obfuscated its code to prevent its removal from host machines.[79]

S0575 Conti

Conti can use compiler-based obfuscation for its code, encrypt DLLs, and hide Windows API calls.[80][81][48]

S0492 CookieMiner

CookieMiner has used base64 encoding to obfuscate scripts on the system.[82]

S0137 CORESHELL

CORESHELL obfuscates strings using a custom stream cipher.[83]

S0046 CozyCar

The payload of CozyCar is encrypted with simple XOR with a rotating key. The CozyCar configuration file has been encrypted with RC4 keys.[84]

S0625 Cuba

Cuba has used multiple layers of obfuscation to avoid analysis, including its Base64 encoded payload.[85]

S0497 Dacls

Dacls can encrypt its configuration file with AES CBC.[86]

G0070 Dark Caracal

Dark Caracal has obfuscated strings in Bandook by base64 encoding, and then encrypting them.[87]

G0012 Darkhotel

Darkhotel has obfuscated code using RC4, XOR, and RSA.[88][89]

S0673 DarkWatchman

DarkWatchman has used Base64 to encode PowerShell commands. DarkWatchman has been delivered as compressed RAR payloads in ZIP files to victims.[90]

S0187 Daserf

Daserf uses encrypted Windows APIs and also encrypts data using the alternative base64+RC4 or the Caesar cipher.[91]

S0354 Denis

Denis obfuscates its code and encrypts the API names. Denis also encodes its payload in Base64.[92][27]

S0659 Diavol

Diavol has Base64 encoded the RSA public key used for encrypting files.[93]

S0213 DOGCALL

DOGCALL is encrypted using single-byte XOR.[94]

S0695 Donut

Donut can generate encrypted, compressed/encoded, or otherwise obfuscated code modules.[95]

S0694 DRATzarus

DRATzarus can be partly encrypted with XOR.[96]

S0384 Dridex

Dridex's strings are obfuscated using RC4.[97]

S0502 Drovorub

Drovorub has used XOR encrypted payloads in WebSocket client to server messages.[98]

S0567 Dtrack

Dtrack has used a dropper that embeds an encrypted payload as extra data.[99]

G0031 Dust Storm

Dust Storm has encoded payloads with a single-byte XOR, both skipping the key itself and zeroing in an attempt to avoid exposing the key.[100]

S0062 DustySky

The DustySky dropper uses a function to obfuscate the name of functions and other parts of the malware.[101]

S0377 Ebury

Ebury has obfuscated its strings with a simple XOR encryption with a static key.[102]

S0593 ECCENTRICBANDWAGON

ECCENTRICBANDWAGON has encrypted strings with RC4.[103]

S0624 Ecipekac

Ecipekac can use XOR, AES, and DES to encrypt loader shellcode.[104]

S0605 EKANS

EKANS uses encoded strings in its process kill list.[105]

G0066 Elderwood

Elderwood has encrypted documents and malicious executables.[106]

S0081 Elise

Elise encrypts several of its files, including configuration files.[107]

S0082 Emissary

Variants of Emissary encrypt payloads using various XOR ciphers, as well as a custom algorithm that uses the "srand" and "rand" functions.[108][109]

S0367 Emotet

Emotet has obfuscated macros within malicious documents to hide the URLs hosting the malware, CMD.exe arguments, and PowerShell scripts. [110][111][112][113]

S0363 Empire

Empire has the ability to obfuscate commands using Invoke-Obfuscation.[114]

S0634 EnvyScout

EnvyScout can Base64 encode payloads.[57]

S0091 Epic

Epic heavily obfuscates its code to make analysis more difficult.[115]

S0401 Exaramel for Linux

Exaramel for Linux uses RC4 for encrypting the configuration.[116][117]

S0512 FatDuke

FatDuke can use base64 encoding, string stacking, and opaque predicates for obfuscation.[118]

S0267 FELIXROOT

FELIXROOT encrypts strings in the backdoor using a custom XOR algorithm.[119][120]

G0037 FIN6

FIN6 has used encoded PowerShell commands.[121]

G0046 FIN7

FIN7 has used fragmented strings, environment variables, standard input (stdin), and native character-replacement functionalities to obfuscate commands.[4][122][123]

G0061 FIN8

FIN8 has used environment variables and standard input (stdin) to obfuscate command-line arguments. FIN8 also obfuscates malicious macros delivered as payloads.[4][124][125]

S0355 Final1stspy

Final1stspy obfuscates strings with base64 encoding.[94]

S0182 FinFisher

FinFisher is heavily obfuscated in many ways, including through the use of spaghetti code in its functions in an effort to confuse disassembly programs. It also uses a custom XOR algorithm to obfuscate code.[126][127]

S0618 FIVEHANDS

The FIVEHANDS payload is encrypted with AES-128.[128][129][130]

S0696 Flagpro

Flagpro has been delivered within ZIP or RAR password-protected archived files.[131]

S0383 FlawedGrace

FlawedGrace encrypts its C2 configuration files with AES in CBC mode.[132]

S0661 FoggyWeb

FoggyWeb has been XOR-encoded.[133]

G0117 Fox Kitten

Fox Kitten has base64 encoded scripts and payloads to avoid detection.[134]

G0101 Frankenstein

Frankenstein has run encoded commands from the command line.[135]

S0277 FruitFly

FruitFly executes and stores obfuscated Perl scripts.[136]

S0410 Fysbis

Fysbis has been encrypted using XOR and RC4.[137]

G0093 GALLIUM

GALLIUM used a modified version of HTRAN in which they obfuscated strings such as debug messages in an apparent attempt to evade detection.[138]

G0084 Gallmaker

Gallmaker obfuscated shellcode used during execution.[139]

G0047 Gamaredon Group

Gamaredon Group has delivered self-extracting 7z archive files within malicious document attachments, and used obfuscated or encrypted scripts.[140][141][142][143][144]

S0168 Gazer

Gazer logs its actions into files that are encrypted with 3DES. It also uses RSA to encrypt resources.[145]

S0666 Gelsemium

Gelsemium has the ability to compress its components.[69]

G0115 GOLD SOUTHFIELD

GOLD SOUTHFIELD has executed base64 encoded PowerShell scripts on compromised hosts.[146]

S0493 GoldenSpy

GoldenSpy's uninstaller has base64-encoded its variables. [147]

S0588 GoldMax

GoldMax has written AES-encrypted and Base64-encoded configuration files to disk.[148][149]

S0477 Goopy

Goopy's decrypter have been inflated with junk code in between legitimate API functions, and also included infinite loops to avoid analysis.[27]

S0531 Grandoreiro

The Grandoreiro payload has been delivered encrypted with a custom XOR-based algorithm and also as a base64-encoded ZIP file.[39][150][150]

S0237 GravityRAT

GravityRAT supports file encryption (AES with the key "lolomycin2017").[151]

S0690 Green Lambert

Green Lambert has encrypted strings.[152][153]

S0342 GreyEnergy

GreyEnergy encrypts its configuration files with AES-256 and also encrypts its strings.[120]

S0632 GrimAgent

GrimAgent has used Rotate on Right (RoR) and Rotate on Left (RoL) functionality to encrypt strings.[154]

G0043 Group5

Group5 disguised its malicious binaries with several layers of obfuscation, including encrypting the files.[155]

S0132 H1N1

H1N1 uses multiple techniques to obfuscate strings, including XOR.[156]

S0499 Hancitor

Hancitor has used Base64 to encode malicious links. Hancitor has also delivered compressed payloads in ZIP files to victims.[157][158]

S0391 HAWKBALL

HAWKBALL has encrypted the payload with an XOR-based algorithm.[159]

S0170 Helminth

The Helminth config file is encrypted with RC4.[160]

S0697 HermeticWiper

HermeticWiper can compress 32-bit and 64-bit driver files with the Lempel-Ziv algorithm.[161][162][163]

S0698 HermeticWizard

HermeticWizard has the ability to encrypt PE files with a reverse XOR loop.[164]

S0087 Hi-Zor

Hi-Zor uses various XOR techniques to obfuscate its components.[165]

S0394 HiddenWasp

HiddenWasp encrypts its configuration and payload.[166]

G0126 Higaisa

Higaisa used Base64 encoded compressed payloads.[167][168]

S0601 Hildegard

Hildegard has encrypted an ELF file.[169]

S0232 HOMEFRY

Some strings in HOMEFRY are obfuscated with XOR x56.[170]

G0072 Honeybee

Honeybee drops files with base64-encoded data.[171]

S0431 HotCroissant

HotCroissant has encrypted strings with single-byte XOR and base64 encoded RC4.[172]

S0070 HTTPBrowser

HTTPBrowser's code may be obfuscated through structured exception handling and return-oriented programming.[173]

S0203 Hydraq

Hydraq uses basic obfuscation in the form of spaghetti code.[106][174]

S0398 HyperBro

HyperBro can be delivered encrypted to a compromised host.[70]

S0483 IcedID

IcedID has utilzed encrypted binaries and base64 encoded strings.[175]

S0434 Imminent Monitor

Imminent Monitor has encrypted the spearphish attachments to avoid detection from email gateways; the debugger also encrypts information before sending to the C2.[14]

G0100 Inception

Inception has encrypted malware payloads dropped on victim machines with AES and RC4 encryption.[176]

S0604 Industroyer

Industroyer uses heavily obfuscated code in its Windows Notepad backdoor.[177]

S0259 InnaputRAT

InnaputRAT uses an 8-byte XOR key to obfuscate API names and other strings contained in the payload.[178]

S0260 InvisiMole

InvisiMole avoids analysis by encrypting all strings, internal files, configuration data and by using a custom executable format.[179][180]

S0231 Invoke-PSImage

Invoke-PSImage can be used to embed a PowerShell script within the pixels of a PNG file.[181]

S0581 IronNetInjector

IronNetInjector can obfuscate variable names, encrypt strings, as well as base64 encode and Rijndael encrypt payloads.[182]

S0189 ISMInjector

ISMInjector is obfuscated with the off-the-shelf SmartAssembly .NET obfuscator created by red-gate.com.[183]

S0044 JHUHUGIT

Many strings in JHUHUGIT are obfuscated with a XOR algorithm.[184][185][19]

S0201 JPIN

A JPIN uses a encrypted and compressed payload that is disguised as a bitmap within the resource section of the installer.[186]

S0283 jRAT

jRAT’s Java payload is encrypted with AES.[187] Additionally, backdoor files are encrypted using DES as a stream cipher. Later variants of jRAT also incorporated AV evasion methods such as Java bytecode obfuscation via the commercial Allatori obfuscation tool.[188]

S0265 Kazuar

Kazuar is obfuscated using the open source ConfuserEx protector. Kazuar also obfuscates the name of created files/folders/mutexes and encrypts debug messages written to log files using the Rijndael cipher.[189]

G0004 Ke3chang

Ke3chang has used Base64-encoded shellcode strings.[190]

S0585 Kerrdown

Kerrdown can encrypt, encode, and compress multiple layers of shellcode.[191]

S0487 Kessel

Kessel's configuration is hardcoded and RC4 encrypted within the binary.[192]

S0387 KeyBoy

In one version of KeyBoy, string obfuscation routines were used to hide many of the critical values referenced in the malware.[193]

S0526 KGH_SPY

KGH_SPY has used encrypted strings in its installer.[194]

S0607 KillDisk

KillDisk uses VMProtect to make reverse engineering the malware more difficult.[195]

G0094 Kimsuky

Kimsuky has obfuscated binary strings including the use of XOR encryption and Base64 encoding.[196][197] Kimsuky has also modified the first byte of DLL implants targeting victims to prevent recognition of the executable file format.[198]

S0641 Kobalos

Kobalos encrypts all strings using RC4 and bundles all functionality into a single function call.[199]

S0669 KOCTOPUS

KOCTOPUS has obfuscated scripts with the BatchEncryption tool.[200]

S0356 KONNI

KONNI is heavily obfuscated and includes encrypted configuration files.[201]

S0236 Kwampirs

Kwampirs downloads additional files that are base64-encoded and encrypted with another cipher.[202]

G0032 Lazarus Group

Lazarus Group has used multiple types of encryption and encoding for their payloads, including AES, Caracachs, RC4, XOR, Base64, and other tricks such as creating aliases in code for Native API function names.[203][204][205][206][86][207][208][209][96][210][211]

G0140 LazyScripter

LazyScripter has leveraged the BatchEncryption tool to perform advanced batch obfuscation and encoding techniques.[200]

G0077 Leafminer

Leafminer obfuscated scripts that were used on victim machines.[212]

G0065 Leviathan

Leviathan has obfuscated code using base64 and gzip compression.[213]

S0395 LightNeuron

LightNeuron encrypts its configuration files with AES-256.[214]

S0447 Lokibot

Lokibot has obfuscated strings with base64 encoding.[215]

S0451 LoudMiner

LoudMiner has obfuscated various scripts and encrypted DMG files.[216]

S0409 Machete

Machete has used pyobfuscate, zlib compression, and base64 encoding for obfuscation. Machete has also used some visual obfuscation techniques by naming variables as combinations of letters to hinder analysis.[217][218]

G0059 Magic Hound

Magic Hound malware has used base64-encoded commands and files, and has also encrypted embedded strings with AES.[219]

S0167 Matryoshka

Matryoshka obfuscates API function names using a substitute cipher combined with Base64 encoding.[220]

S0449 Maze

Maze has decrypted strings and other important information during the encryption process. Maze also calls certain functions dynamically to hinder analysis.[221]

S0500 MCMD

MCMD can Base64 encode output strings prior to sending to C2.[222]

G0045 menuPass

menuPass has encoded strings in its malware with base64 as well as with a simple, single-byte XOR obfuscation using key 0x40.[223][224][225]

S0455 Metamorfo

Metamorfo has encrypted payloads and strings.[226][227]

S0339 Micropsia

Micropsia obfuscates the configuration with a custom Base64 and XOR.[228][229]

S0051 MiniDuke

MiniDuke can use control flow flattening to obscure code.[118]

G0103 Mofang

Mofang has compressed the ShimRat executable within malicious email attachments. Mofang has also encrypted payloads before they are downloaded to victims.[230]

G0021 Molerats

Molerats has delivered compressed executables within ZIP files to victims.[231]

S0284 More_eggs

More_eggs's payload has been encrypted with a key that has the hostname and processor family information appended to the end.[232]

S0256 Mosquito

Mosquito’s installer is obfuscated with a custom crypter to obfuscate the installer.[233]

G0069 MuddyWater

MuddyWater has used Daniel Bohannon’s Invoke-Obfuscation framework and obfuscated PowerShell scripts.[234][24] The group has also used other obfuscation methods, including Base64 obfuscation of VBScripts and PowerShell commands.[234][235][236][237][238][239]

G0129 Mustang Panda

Mustang Panda has delivered initial payloads hidden using archives and encoding measures.[240][241][242][243][244][245]

S0228 NanHaiShu

NanHaiShu encodes files in Base64.[246]

S0336 NanoCore

NanoCore’s plugins were obfuscated with Eazfuscater.NET 3.3.[247]

S0457 Netwalker

Netwalker's PowerShell script has been obfuscated with multiple layers including base64 and hexadecimal encoding and XOR-encryption, as well as obfuscated PowerShell functions and variables. Netwalker's DLL has also been embedded within the PowerShell script in hex format.[248][249]

S0198 NETWIRE

NETWIRE has used a custom obfuscation algorithm to hide strings including Registry keys, APIs, and DLL names.[250]

G0014 Night Dragon

A Night Dragon DLL included an XOR-encoded section.[251]

S0385 njRAT

njRAT has included a base64 encoded executable.[252]

S0353 NOKKI

NOKKI uses Base64 encoding for strings.[253]

G0049 OilRig

OilRig has encrypted and encoded data in its malware, including by using base64.[254][255][256][257][258]

S0138 OLDBAIT

OLDBAIT obfuscates internal strings and unpacks them at startup.[83]

S0264 OopsIE

OopsIE uses the Confuser protector to obfuscate an embedded .Net Framework assembly used for C2. OopsIE also encodes collected data in hexadecimal format before writing to files on disk and obfuscates strings.[259][260]

G0116 Operation Wocao

Operation Wocao has executed PowerShell commands which were encoded or compressed using Base64, zlib, and XOR.[261]

S0229 Orz

Some Orz strings are base64 encoded, such as the embedded DLL known as MockDll.[213]

S0352 OSX_OCEANLOTUS.D

OSX_OCEANLOTUS.D encrypts its strings in RSA256 and encodes them in a custom base64 scheme and XOR.[262]

S0594 Out1

Out1 has the ability to encode data.[239]

S0598 P.A.S. Webshell

P.A.S. Webshell can use encryption and base64 encoding to hide strings and to enforce access control once deployed.[117]

S0664 Pandora

Pandora has the ability to compress stings with QuickLZ.[263]

G0040 Patchwork

Patchwork has obfuscated a script with Crypto Obfuscator.[264]

S0587 Penquin

Penquin has encrypted strings in the binary for obfuscation.[265]

S0517 Pillowmint

Pillowmint has been compressed and stored within a registry key. Pillowmint has also obfuscated the AES key used for encryption.[266]

S0501 PipeMon

PipeMon modules are stored encrypted on disk.[267]

S0124 Pisloader

Pisloader obfuscates files by splitting strings into smaller sub-strings and including "garbage" strings that are never used. The malware also uses return-oriented programming (ROP) technique and single-byte XOR to obfuscate data.[268]

S0013 PlugX

PlugX can use API hashing and modify the names of strings to evade detection.[70][245]

S0428 PoetRAT

PoetRAT has used a custom encryption scheme for communication between scripts and pyminifier to obfuscate scripts.[269][270]

S0012 PoisonIvy

PoisonIvy hides any strings related to its own indicators of compromise.[271]

S0518 PolyglotDuke

PolyglotDuke can custom encrypt strings.[118]

S0453 Pony

Pony attachments have been delivered via compressed archive files. Pony also obfuscates the memory flow by adding junk instructions when executing to make analysis more difficult.[272]

S0150 POSHSPY

POSHSPY appends a file signature header (randomly selected from six file types) to encrypted data prior to upload or download.[273]

S0685 PowerPunch

PowerPunch can use Base64-encoded scripts.[143]

S0194 PowerSploit

PowerSploit contains a collection of ScriptModification modules that compress and encode scripts and payloads.[274][275]

S0393 PowerStallion

PowerStallion uses a XOR cipher to encrypt command output written to its OneDrive C2 server.[276]

S0223 POWERSTATS

POWERSTATS uses character replacement, PowerShell environment variables, and XOR encoding to obfuscate code. POWERSTATS's backdoor code is a multi-layer obfuscated, encoded, and compressed blob. [235][277] POWERSTATS has used PowerShell code with custom string obfuscation [278]

S0113 Prikormka

Some resources in Prikormka are encrypted with a simple XOR operation or encoded with Base64.[279]

S0613 PS1

PS1 is distributed as a set of encrypted files and scripts.[280]

S0147 Pteranodon

Pteranodon can use a dynamic Windows hashing algorithm to map API components.[143]

S0196 PUNCHBUGGY

PUNCHBUGGY has hashed most its code's functions and encrypted payloads with base64 and XOR.[281]

S0197 PUNCHTRACK

PUNCHTRACK is loaded and executed by a highly obfuscated launcher.[282]

G0024 Putter Panda

Droppers used by Putter Panda use RC4 or a 16-byte XOR key consisting of the bytes 0xA0 – 0xAF to obfuscate payloads.[283]

S0650 QakBot

QakBot can use obfuscated and encoded scripts; it has also hidden code within Excel spreadsheets by turning the font color to white and splitting it across multiple cells.[284]

S0269 QUADAGENT

QUADAGENT was likely obfuscated using Invoke-Obfuscation.[255][24]

S0565 Raindrop

Raindrop encrypted its payload using a simple XOR algorithm with a single-byte key.[285][286]

S0629 RainyDay

RainyDay has downloaded as a XOR-encrypted payload.[287]

S0458 Ramsay

Ramsay has base64-encoded its portable executable and hidden itself under a JPG header. Ramsay can also embed information within document footers.[288]

S0662 RCSession

RCSession can compress and obfuscate its strings to evade detection on a compromised host.[70]

S0172 Reaver

Reaver encrypts some of its files with XOR.[289]

S0153 RedLeaves

A RedLeaves configuration file is encrypted with a simple XOR key, 0x53.[290]

S0511 RegDuke

RegDuke can use control-flow flattening or the commercially available .NET Reactor for obfuscation.[118]

S0332 Remcos

Remcos uses RC4 and base64 to obfuscate data, including Registry entries and file paths.[291]

S0375 Remexi

Remexi obfuscates its configuration data with XOR.[292]

S0125 Remsec

Some data in Remsec is encrypted using RC5 in CBC mode, AES-CBC with a hardcoded key, RC4, or Salsa20. Some data is also base64-encoded.[293][294]

S0496 REvil

REvil has used encrypted strings and configuration files.[295][296][297][298][299][300][301]

S0433 Rifdoor

Rifdoor has encrypted strings with a single byte XOR algorithm.[172]

S0448 Rising Sun

Configuration data used by Rising Sun is encrypted using RC4.[302]

G0106 Rocke

Rocke has modified UPX headers after packing files to break unpackers.[303]

S0270 RogueRobin

The PowerShell script with the RogueRobin payload was obfuscated using the COMPRESS technique in Invoke-Obfuscation.[304][24]

S0240 ROKRAT

ROKRAT can encrypt data prior to exfiltration by using an RSA public key.[33][305]

S0148 RTM

RTM strings, network data, configuration, and modules are encrypted with a modified RC4 algorithm. RTM has also been delivered to targets as various archive files including ZIP, 7-ZIP, and RAR.[306][307]

S0446 Ryuk

Ryuk can use anti-disassembly and code transformation obfuscation techniques.[48]

S0074 Sakula

Sakula uses single-byte XOR obfuscation to obfuscate many of its files.[308]

S0370 SamSam

SamSam has been seen using AES or DES to encrypt payloads and payload components.[309][310]

G0034 Sandworm Team

Sandworm Team has used Base64 encoding within malware variants. Sandworm Team has also used ROT13 encoding, AES encryption and compression with the zlib library for their Python-based backdoor.[311][312]

S0461 SDBbot

SDBbot has the ability to XOR the strings for its installer component with a hardcoded 128 byte key.[313]

S0345 Seasalt

Seasalt obfuscates configuration data.[314]

S0596 ShadowPad

ShadowPad has encrypted a virtual file system and various files.[315]

S0140 Shamoon

Shamoon contains base64-encoded strings.[316]

S0450 SHARPSTATS

SHARPSTATS has used base64 encoding and XOR to obfuscate PowerShell scripts.[278]

S0444 ShimRat

ShimRat has been delivered as a package that includes compressed DLL and shellcode payloads within a .dat file.[230]

S0445 ShimRatReporter

ShimRatReporter encrypted gathered information with a combination of shifting and XOR using a static key.[230]

S0063 SHOTPUT

SHOTPUT is obscured using XOR encoding and appended to a valid GIF file.[317][318]

S0589 Sibot

Sibot has obfuscated scripts used in execution.[148]

G0121 Sidewinder

Sidewinder has used base64 encoding and ECDH-P256 encryption for scripts and files.[319][320][321]

G0091 Silence

Silence has used environment variable string substitution for obfuscation.[322]

S0623 Siloscape

Siloscape itself is obfuscated and uses obfuscated API calls.[323]

S0468 Skidmap

Skidmap has encrypted it's main payload using 3DES.[324]

S0633 Sliver

Sliver can encrypt strings at compile time.[325][326]

S0226 Smoke Loader

Smoke Loader uses a simple one-byte XOR method to obfuscate values in the malware.[327][328]

S0649 SMOKEDHAM

The SMOKEDHAM source code is embedded in the dropper as an encrypted string.[329]

S0627 SodaMaster

SodaMaster can use "stackstrings" for obfuscation.[104]

S0615 SombRAT

SombRAT can encrypt strings with XOR-based routines and use a custom AES storage format for plugins, configuration, C2 domains, and harvested data.[280][128][129]

S0516 SoreFang

SoreFang has the ability to encode and RC6 encrypt data sent to C2.[330]

S0374 SpeakUp

SpeakUp encodes its second-stage payload with Base64. [331]

S0390 SQLRat

SQLRat has used a character insertion obfuscation technique, making the script appear to contain Chinese characters.[332]

S0380 StoneDrill

StoneDrill has obfuscated its module with an alphabet-based table or XOR encryption.[333]

S0142 StreamEx

StreamEx obfuscates some commands by using statically programmed fragments of strings when starting a DLL. It also uses a one-byte xor against 0x91 to encode configuration data.[334]

S0491 StrongPity

StrongPity has used encrypted strings in its dropper component.[335][336]

S0603 Stuxnet

Stuxnet uses encrypted configuration blocks and writes encrypted files to disk.[337]

S0559 SUNBURST

SUNBURST strings were compressed and encoded in Base64.[338] SUNBURST also obfuscated collected system information using a FNV-1a + XOR algorithm.[339]

S0562 SUNSPOT

SUNSPOT encrypted log entries it collected with the stream cipher RC4 using a hard-coded key. It also uses AES128-CBC encrypted blobs for SUNBURST source code and data extracted from the SolarWinds Orion process.[340]

S0578 SUPERNOVA

SUPERNOVA contained Base64-encoded strings.[341]

S0242 SynAck

SynAck payloads are obfuscated prior to compilation to inhibit analysis and/or reverse engineering.[342][343]

S0663 SysUpdate

SysUpdate can encrypt and encode its configuration file.[263]

G0092 TA505

TA505 has password-protected malicious Word documents and used base64 encoded PowerShell commands.[344][345][346]

G0127 TA551

TA551 has used obfuscated variable names in a JavaScript configuration file.[347]

S0011 Taidoor

Taidoor can use encrypted string blocks for obfuscation.[348]

S0467 TajMahal

TajMahal has used an encrypted Virtual File System to store plugins.[349]

G0139 TeamTNT

TeamTNT has encrypted its binaries via AES.[350] TeamTNT has also encoded files using Base64.[351]

S0560 TEARDROP

TEARDROP created and read from a file with a fake JPG header, and its payload was encrypted with a simple rotating XOR cipher.[339][352][286]

G0027 Threat Group-3390

A Threat Group-3390 tool can encrypt payloads using XOR. Threat Group-3390 malware is also obfuscated using Metasploit’s shikata_ga_nai encoder as well as compressed with LZNT1 compression.[353][354][355]

S0665 ThreatNeedle

ThreatNeedle has been compressed and obfuscated using RC4, AES, or XOR.[356]

S0131 TINYTYPHON

TINYTYPHON has used XOR with 0x90 to obfuscate its configuration file.[357]

S0678 Torisma

Torisma has been Base64 encoded and AES encrypted.[209]

G0134 Transparent Tribe

Transparent Tribe has dropped encoded executables on compromised hosts.[358]

S0266 TrickBot

TrickBot uses non-descriptive names to hide functionality and uses an AES CBC (256 bits) encryption algorithm for its loader and configuration files.[359]

S0609 TRITON

TRITON encoded the two inject.bin and imain.bin payloads.[360]

S0094 Trojan.Karagany

Trojan.Karagany can base64 encode and AES-128-CBC encrypt data prior to transmission.[361]

G0081 Tropic Trooper

Tropic Trooper has encrypted configuration files.[362][363]

S0647 Turian

Turian can use VMProtect for obfuscation.[45]

G0010 Turla

Turla has used encryption (including salted 3DES via PowerSploit's Out-EncryptedScript.ps1), random variable names, and base64 encoding to obfuscate PowerShell commands and payloads.[276]

S0263 TYPEFRAME

APIs and strings in some TYPEFRAME variants are RC4 encrypted. Another variant is encoded with XOR.[364]

S0333 UBoatRAT

UBoatRAT encrypts instructions in the payload using a simple XOR cipher.[365]

S0386 Ursnif

Ursnif has used an XOR-based algorithm to encrypt Tor clients dropped to disk.[366] Ursnif droppers have also been delivered as password-protected zip files that execute base64 encoded PowerShell commands.[367]

S0136 USBStealer

Most strings in USBStealer are encrypted using 3DES and XOR and reversed.[368]

S0476 Valak

Valak has the ability to base64 encode and XOR encrypt strings.[369][347][370]

S0257 VERMIN

VERMIN is obfuscated using the obfuscation tool called ConfuserEx.[371]

S0180 Volgmer

A Volgmer variant is encoded using a simple XOR cipher.[372]

S0612 WastedLocker

The WastedLocker payload includes encrypted strings stored within the .bss section of the binary file.[373]

S0579 Waterbear

Waterbear has used RC4 encrypted shellcode and encrypted functions.[374]

S0689 WhisperGate

WhisperGate can Base64 encode strings, store downloaded files in reverse byte order, and use the Eazfuscator tool to obfuscate its third stage.[375][376]

G0107 Whitefly

Whitefly has encrypted the payload used for C2.[377]

G0112 Windshift

Windshift has used string encoding with floating point calculations.[378]

S0466 WindTail

WindTail can be delivered as a compressed, encrypted, and encoded payload.[379]

S0430 Winnti for Linux

Winnti for Linux can encode its configuration file with single-byte XOR encoding.[380]

S0141 Winnti for Windows

Winnti for Windows has the ability to encrypt and compress its payload.[381]

G0102 Wizard Spider

Wizard Spider used Base64 encoding to obfuscate an Empire service and PowerShell commands.[382][383]

S0117 XTunnel

A version of XTunnel introduced in July 2015 obfuscated the binary using opaque predicates and other techniques in a likely attempt to obfuscate it and bypass security products.[384]

S0388 YAHOYAH

YAHOYAH encrypts its configuration file using a simple algorithm.[385]

S0230 ZeroT

ZeroT has encrypted its payload with RC4.[386]

S0330 Zeus Panda

Zeus Panda encrypts strings with XOR and obfuscates the macro code from the initial payload. Zeus Panda also encrypts all configuration and settings in AES and RC4.[387][388]

S0672 Zox

Zox has been encoded with Base64.[389]

Mitigations

ID Mitigation Description
M1049 Antivirus/Antimalware

Consider utilizing the Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI) on Windows 10 to analyze commands after being processed/interpreted. [390]

M1040 Behavior Prevention on Endpoint

On Windows 10, enable Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) rules to prevent execution of potentially obfuscated scripts. [391]

Detection

ID Data Source Data Component
DS0017 Command Command Execution
DS0022 File File Creation
File Metadata
DS0009 Process Process Creation

Detection of file obfuscation is difficult unless artifacts are left behind by the obfuscation process that are uniquely detectable with a signature. If detection of the obfuscation itself is not possible, it may be possible to detect the malicious activity that caused the obfuscated file (for example, the method that was used to write, read, or modify the file on the file system).

Flag and analyze commands containing indicators of obfuscation and known suspicious syntax such as uninterpreted escape characters like '''^''' and '''"'''. Windows' Sysmon and Event ID 4688 displays command-line arguments for processes. Deobfuscation tools can be used to detect these indicators in files/payloads. [392] [5] [393]

Obfuscation used in payloads for Initial Access can be detected at the network. Use network intrusion detection systems and email gateway filtering to identify compressed and encrypted attachments and scripts. Some email attachment detonation systems can open compressed and encrypted attachments. Payloads delivered over an encrypted connection from a website require encrypted network traffic inspection.

The first detection of a malicious tool may trigger an anti-virus or other security tool alert. Similar events may also occur at the boundary through network IDS, email scanning appliance, etc. The initial detection should be treated as an indication of a potentially more invasive intrusion. The alerting system should be thoroughly investigated beyond that initial alert for activity that was not detected. Adversaries may continue with an operation, assuming that individual events like an anti-virus detect will not be investigated or that an analyst will not be able to conclusively link that event to other activity occurring on the network.

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