Rewterz Threat Alert – A New PikaBot Malware – Active IOCs

Severity

Medium

Analysis Summary

PikaBot is a sophisticated and highly evasive malware that targets Windows operating systems. This malware exhibits a range of malicious behaviors, including data exfiltration, remote command execution, and system persistence. It poses a significant threat to both individual users and organizations.

Malware Type: PikaBot is classified as a Trojan malware, specifically a Remote Access Trojan (RAT). It enables unauthorized remote access to infected systems, allowing threat actors to gain control over the compromised machine.

Distribution and Infection Vector: PikaBot is primarily distributed through phishing emails, malicious attachments, or compromised websites. Once executed, it employs various techniques, such as exploiting software vulnerabilities and social engineering, to infect target systems.

Persistence Mechanisms: PikaBot ensures its persistence on infected machines through multiple means. It modifies registry entries, creates autorun entries, and establishes hidden services or scheduled tasks. These techniques enable the malware to maintain its presence across system reboots.

Command and Control (C&C) Communication: PikaBot establishes communication with its command and control server using various methods, including HTTP, DNS, or even legitimate service protocols. It utilizes encryption and obfuscation techniques to evade detection and hide its malicious activities.

Data Exfiltration: PikaBot is designed to steal sensitive information from infected systems. It can capture keystrokes, take screenshots, record audio, and collect stored credentials. The stolen data is typically transmitted to the attacker-controlled servers for further exploitation or monetization.

Remote Control and Execution: PikaBot provides attackers with extensive control over compromised systems. It allows remote file manipulation, execution of arbitrary commands, and deployment of additional malware or tools onto the infected machine.

Evasion Techniques: PikaBot incorporates several evasion techniques to avoid detection and analysis. It actively monitors for antivirus software or security tools and attempts to disable or bypass them. The malware may also employ anti-debugging and anti-sandboxing techniques to hinder analysis in controlled environments.

Impact

• Unauthorized Access
• Financial Theft 
• Information Theft

Indicators of Compromise

MD5

• ddef0c551d3e5c1ec331bc4239db316a
• 1862a5acea6e4a61b07862e74fb68e14
• 9df6e7a78b7ae41c5c4adc5feb2e61b0
• b9a7f2cc9283df19c763c6dd8c2ff3fe
• 931bacac5a5e4e986498a41b7b82e919

SHA-256

• 45930399ef1b9bbefe69c443706e6573fa508ee34a11f2b9a865de8f2e3569b7
• f89c54a410d1de9f9d05217831e651db77627a6d93e95dfeb6d0385fe951555a
• 1015b0f17a4a19921e44338e91f937def92b0f497a74e1de46654a0986fc7646
• 8ee9141074b48784c89aa5d3cd4010fcf4e6d467b618c8719970f78fcc24a365
• dd74e5612e0737ad447e3e6d17e6c7968572da7d4747a47bbfefb74739a2bcf6

SHA-1

• 062d4e2b9a6dd47ac9dcf3a81ca18cadade89a73
• 313561041922d23d1149b22f72eecf0149b0f547
• bf9a33f528af724c14919153615571ce234d94ce
• 698473f1c86fe7dc9dfe5075b535af95aa57fda5
• ac400e076850b5315910df377d6e68a329877fea

Remediation

• Block all threat indicators at your respective controls.
• Search for Indicators of compromise (IOCs) in your environment utilizing your respective security controls
• Emails from unknown senders should always be treated with caution.
• Never trust or open ” links and attachments received from unknown sources/senders
• Patch and upgrade any platforms and software timely and make it into a standard security policy. Prioritize patching known exploited vulnerabilities and zero-days.
• Enable antivirus and anti-malware software and update signature definitions in a timely manner. Using multi-layered protection is necessary to secure vulnerable assets