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    Hackers Abuse Windows Error Reporting Tool to Deploy Malware

    Hackers are abusing the Windows Problem Reporting (WerFault.exe) error reporting tool for Windows to load malware into a compromised system's memory using a DLL sideloading technique. The use of this Windows executable is to stealthy infect devices without raising any alarms on the breached system by launching the malware through a legitimate Windows executable. The new campaign was spotted by K7 Security Labs, which could not identify the hackers, but they are believed to be based in China.

    The malware campaign starts with the arrival of an email with an ISO attachment. When double-clicked, the ISO will mount itself as a new drive letter containing a legitimate copy of the Windows WerFault.exe executable, a DLL file ('faultrep.dll'), an XLS file ('File.xls'), and a shortcut file ('inventory & our specialties.lnk').

    The victim starts the infection chain by clicking on the shortcut file, which uses 'scriptrunner.exe' to execute WerFault.exe. WerFault is the standard Windows error reporting tool used in Windows 10 and 11, allowing the system to track and report errors related to the operating system or applications. Antivirus tools commonly trust WerFault as it's a legitimate Windows executable signed by Microsoft, so launching it on the system won't usually trigger alerts to warn the victim.

    When WerFault.exe is launched, it will use a known DLL sideloading flaw to load the malicious 'faultrep.dll' DLL contained in the ISO. Normally, the 'faultrep.dll' file is a legitimate DLL by Microsoft in the C:\Windows\System folder required for WerFault to run correctly. However, the malicious DLL version in the ISO contains additional code to launch the malware. The technique of creating malicious DLLs under the same name as a legitimate one so that it is loaded instead is called DLL sideloading.”

    What is a SIEM?Analyst comments:
    DLL sideloading requires a malicious version of a DLL to be located in the same directory as the executable that invokes it. When the executable is launched, Windows will prioritize it over its native DLL as long as it has the same name. When the DLL is loaded in this attack, it will create two threads, one that loads Pupy Remote Access Trojan's DLL ('dll_pupyx64.dll') into memory and one that opens the included XLS spreadsheet to serve as a decoy. Pupy RAT is an open-source and publicly available malware written in Python that supports reflective DLL loading to evade detection, and additional modules are downloaded later. The malware allows threat actors to gain full access to the infected devices, enabling them to execute commands, steal data, install further malware, or spread laterally through a network. As an open-source tool, it has been used by several state-backed espionage actors like the Iranian APT33 and APT35 groups, as those tools make attribution and persistent operation harder to track. QBot malware distributors were seen adopting a similar attack chain last summer, abusing the Windows Calculator to evade detection by security software.

    Mitigation:
    Users should always be cautious of individuals or organizations that ask for personal information. Most companies will not ask for sensitive data from its customers. If in doubt, users should verify with the company itself to avoid any potential issues.

    Users should always take a close look at the sender’s display name when checking the legitimacy of an email. Most companies use a single domain for their URLs and emails, so a message that originates from a different domain is a red flag.

    As a general rule, users should not click links or download files even if they come from seemingly “trustworthy” sources.

    Check for mismatched URLs. While an embedded URL might seem perfectly valid, hovering above it might show a different web address. In fact, users should avoid clicking links in emails unless they are certain that it is a legitimate link.

    Users should always be on the lookout for any grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. Legitimate companies will often employ proofreaders and editors who ensure that the materials they send out are error-free.

    Users should not be frightened or intimidated by messages that have an alarmist tone. They should double check with the company if they are uncertain about the status of their accounts.

    Phishing emails are designed to be sent to a large number of people, so they need to be as impersonal as possible. Users should check whether the message contains a generic subject and greeting, as this can be a sign of a phishing attempt.

    Although not every end user has access to advanced anti-phishing software, they can still use the built-in protection of their email clients to filter messages. One example is setting the email client to block all images unless approved.

    Legitimate companies will never send confirmation emails unless there are specific reasons for doing so. In fact, most companies will avoid sending unsolicited messages unless it’s for company updates, newsletters, or advertising purposes.

    Users should always take the context of an email or message into account. For example, most online accounts do away with viewable member numbers, so users should be wary if they receive emails containing a “member number” for services that generally don’t use them.

    It is important to take note of unusual information in the text of the message. Any mentions of operating systems and software that are not typically used by consumers can often be indicators of a phishing attempt.

    If it seems suspicious, it probably is. Users should always err on the side of caution when it comes to sending out personally identifiable information through messages and emails.

    Source:

    https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/ne...ndows-error-reporting-tool-to-deploy-malware/