APT15 Cyber-Spionage: Analyse der Kampagnen und TTPs

Ruslan Mikhalov Chief of Threat Research at SOC Prime

APT15 Cyber-Spionage: Analyse der Kampagnen und TTPs

Detection stack

AIDR
Alert
ETL
Query

Bedrohungsbericht
Angriffsablauf
Erkennungen
Simulationen

Zusammenfassung

APT15 ist eine chinesische, staatlich geförderte Cyber-Spionagegruppe, die seit 2010 aktiv ist und in erster Linie auf Regierungsbehörden, diplomatische Vertretungen und militärische Organisationen abzielt. Die Akteure verlassen sich auf Spear-Phishing, die Ausnutzung öffentlich zugänglicher Anwendungen und maßgeschneiderte Backdoors, um sich anfänglich Zugang zu verschaffen und langfristige Zugänge aufrechtzuerhalten. Ihr Werkzeugkasten umfasst Steganographie, Verschleierung, Registry-Manipulation und verschlüsselte C2-Kanäle, die in HTTP-Header oder DNS-Verkehr eingebettet sind. Die Kampagne entwickelt sich weiter mit neuen Werkzeugen wie Graphican und dem ORB3-Relay-Netzwerk.

Untersuchung

Die Untersuchung hat mehrere Malware-Familien (BS2005, TidePool, MirageFox, Graphican, etc.) zugeordnet und einen umfassenden Satz von ATT&CK-Techniken, die von anfänglichem Zugang über Ausführung, Persistenz, Privilegieneskalation, Verteidigungsumgehung, Anmeldeinformationenzugriff, Entdeckung, Sammlung, Exfiltration bis hin zu Befehls- und Kontrollfunktionalitäten reichen. Analysten extrahierten konkrete Indikatoren wie Domänen, Dateipfade, Registrierungsschlüssel und Befehlszeilen aus den Falldaten. Die Infrastruktur der Gruppe nutzt Domänen wie goback.stranged.net and finance.globaleducat.com für C2-Operationen.

Minderung

Empfohlene Abwehrmaßnahmen umfassen ein rigoroses Scannen von E-Mail-Anhängen, das zeitnahe Patchen von Microsoft Exchange, SharePoint und VPN-Geräten sowie das Überwachen verdächtiger Registry-Änderungen, abnormaler geplanter Aufgaben und Rundll32- oder COM-basierter Payload-Ausführung. Die Netzwerküberwachung sollte sich auf untypische HTTP-Cookie-Aktivitäten und DNS-TXT-Abfragen in Übereinstimmung mit bekannten C2-Mustern konzentrieren. Anwendungs-Whitelisting und Verhaltensanalysen können helfen, den Einsatz umbenannter Archivprogramme und Steganographie-basierter PNG-Payloads zu blockieren.

Reaktion

Wenn APT15-Aktivität festgestellt wird, isolieren Sie den betroffenen Host, erfassen Sie flüchtige Daten und alle zugehörigen IOC-Artefakte und blockieren Sie die identifizierten C2-Domänen und IP-Adressen. Führen Sie vollständige forensische Analysen durch, um persistente Verknüpfungen, geplante Aufgaben und Registry-Änderungen zu lokalisieren, dann beseitigen Sie bösartige Komponenten und setzen alle kompromittierten Anmeldedaten zurück. Informieren Sie die betroffenen Benutzer und aktualisieren Sie die Erkennungsregeln, um die beobachteten Befehlszeilen, Dateipfade und Infrastrukturindikatoren abzudecken.

„graph TB %% Klassendefinitionen classDef technique fill:#99ccff classDef operator fill:#ff9900 %% Knotendefinitionen node_initial[„Technik – T1566.001 Spear-Phishing-Anhang Beschreibung: Sende gezielte E-Mails mit bösartigen Anhängen, um ersten Zugriff zu erlangen.“] class node_initial technique node_valid[„Technik – T1078 Gültige Accounts Beschreibung: Verwende kompromittierte legitime Anmeldeinformationen, um auf Systeme zuzugreifen.“] class node_valid technique node_exploit[„Technik – T1190 Ausnutzen von öffentlich zugänglichen Anwendungen Beschreibung: Nutze Schwachstellen in internet-gerichteten Diensten aus, um Zugriff zu erhalten.“] class node_exploit technique node_cmd[„Technik – T1059.003 Windows-Befehlszeileninterpreter Beschreibung: Führe Befehle über cmd.exe aus, um bösartigen Code auszuführen.“] class node_cmd technique node_shortcut[„Technik – T1547.009 Verknüpfungsmodifikation Beschreibung: Erstelle oder modifiziere LNK-Verknüpfungen zur Persistenz.“] class node_shortcut technique node_task[„Technik – T1053 Geplanter Task Beschreibung: Verwende geplante Tasks, um Nutzlasten zu definierten Zeiten auszuführen.“] class node_task technique node_active[„Technik – T1547.014 Aktives Setup Beschreibung: Nutze Active-Setup-Registrierungsschlüssel für Persistenz.“] class node_active technique node_token[„Technik – T1134.003 Zugriffstoken-Manipulation Beschreibung: Erreiche höhere Privilegien durch das Ändern von Zugriffstoken.“] class node_token technique node_steg[„Technik – T1027.003 Steganographie Beschreibung: Verstecke Daten in anderen Dateien, um Erkennung zu vermeiden.“] class node_steg technique node_masq[„Technik – T1036 Verschleierung Beschreibung: Benenne Dateien um oder tarne sie als legitim, um Erkennung zu vermeiden.“] class node_masq technique node_icon[„Technik – T1027.012 LNK-Icon-Schmuggel Beschreibung: Betten Sie bösartigen Code in LNK-Icon-Ressourcen ein.“] class node_icon technique node_proxy[„Technik – T1218 System-Binärproxy-Ausführung Beschreibung: Missbrauche vertrauenswürdige System-Binärdateien, um bösartigen Code auszuführen.“] class node_proxy technique node_guard[„Technik – T1480.001 Ausführungs-Leitplanken Beschreibung: Überprüfe Umgebungsbedingungen vor der Ausführung.“] class node_guard technique node_sandbox[„Technik – T1497 Sandbox-Umgehung Beschreibung: Erkenne und umgehe Analyse-Sandbox-Umgebungen.“] class node_sandbox technique node_keylog[„Technik – T1056.001 Keylogging Beschreibung: Erfasse Tastenanschläge, um Anmeldedaten zu erlangen.“] class node_keylog technique node_dump[„Technik – T1003 OS-Anmeldeinformationsabruf Beschreibung: Extrahiere Passwort-Hashes aus dem Betriebssystem.“] class node_dump technique node_sysinfo[„Technik – T1082 Systeminformationsentdeckung Beschreibung: Sammle Informationen über OS, Hardware und Software.“] class node_sysinfo technique node_inet[„Technik – T1016.001 Internetverbindungsentdeckung Beschreibung: Identifiziere aktive Netzwerkverbindungen und IP-Adressen.“] class node_inet technique node_stage[„Technik – T1074.001 Daten gestaged Beschreibung: Sammle Daten lokal, bevor sie exfiltriert werden.“] class node_stage technique node_archive[„Technik – T1560.001 Archivierung über Dienstprogramm Beschreibung: Komprimiere Daten mit Dienstprogrammen wie zip.“] class node_archive technique node_email[„Technik – T1114.002 Fern-E-Mail-Sammlung Beschreibung: Greife auf E-Mail-Konten zu, um Nachrichten zu sammeln.“] class node_email technique node_http[„Technik – T1071.001 Web-Protokolle HTTP Beschreibung: Verwende HTTP für Befehls- und Steuerkommunikation.“] class node_http technique node_obfusc[„Technik – T1001 Datenverschleierung Beschreibung: Kodiere oder verschlüssele Daten, um deren Inhalt zu verbergen.“] class node_obfusc technique node_dead[„Technik – T1102.001 Toter Briefkasten Resolver Beschreibung: Rufe Befehle oder Daten aus versteckten Orten ab.“] class node_dead technique node_encrypt[„Technik – T1573.001 Verschlüsselter Kanal Beschreibung: Verschlüssele C2-Traffic, um Kommunikation zu verbergen.“] class node_encrypt technique node_exfil[„Technik – T1048.003 Exfiltration über unverschlüsseltes nicht-C2-Protokoll Beschreibung: Übertrage Daten mit Protokollen, die nicht mit C2 assoziiert sind, ohne Verschlüsselung.“] class node_exfil technique %% Verbindungen node_initial u002du002d>|leads_to| node_valid node_initial u002du002d>|leads_to| node_exploit node_valid u002du002d>|leads_to| node_cmd node_cmd u002du002d>|enables| node_shortcut node_cmd u002du002d>|enables| node_task node_cmd u002du002d>|enables| node_active node_cmd u002du002d>|enables| node_token node_cmd u002du002d>|enables| node_steg node_cmd u002du002d>|enables| node_masq node_cmd u002du002d>|enables| node_icon node_cmd u002du002d>|enables| node_proxy node_cmd u002du002d>|enables| node_guard node_cmd u002du002d>|enables| node_sandbox node_cmd u002du002d>|enables| node_keylog node_cmd u002du002d>|enables| node_dump node_cmd u002du002d>|enables| node_sysinfo node_cmd u002du002d>|enables| node_inet node_sysinfo u002du002d>|feeds| node_stage node_inet u002du002d>|feeds| node_stage node_stage u002du002d>|includes| node_archive node_stage u002du002d>|includes| node_email node_archive u002du002d>|used_by| node_http node_email u002du002d>|used_by| node_http node_http u002du002d>|uses| node_obfusc node_http u002du002d>|uses| node_dead node_http u002du002d>|uses| node_encrypt node_http u002du002d>|exfiltrates_via| node_exfil „

Angriffsfluss

Vorbereitung: Der Gegner hat bereits ein Benutzerkonto kompromittiert und ist auf dem Endpunkt gelandet.
Datenstaging (T1059.003): Mit dem exakten xcopy Syntax, wie bei historischen APT15-Aktivitäten beobachtet, kopiert der Angreifer die Desktop-Dateien des Opfers in einen verborgenen WMI-Temporärordner und bewahrt die Zeitstempel (/D:09-29-2021) auf, um sich mit legitimen Systemaktivitäten zu vermischen.
Payload-Ausführung (T1218.002): Der Angreifer ruft dann rundll32.exe mit einem kurzen Pfadnamen (C:DOCUME~1ALLUSE~1IEHelpermshtml.dll) auf, um schädliches JavaScript auszuführen, das Persistenz herstellt.
Ergebnis: Beide Befehle erzeugen eindeutige Prozess-Erstellungsereignisse, die der Sigma-Regel auswahl1 and auswahl2 entsprechen und einen Alarm auslösen.

Regressionstest-Skript:

# -------------------------------------------------
# APT15-Simulationsskript – löst Sigma-Regel aus
# -------------------------------------------------

# 1. Erstellen Sie Staging-Verzeichnisse und Dummy-Dateien
$src = "C:usersREDACTEDDesktop"
$dst = "C:windowstempwmi"
New-Item -Path $src -ItemType Directory -Force | Out-Null
New-Item -Path $dst -ItemType Directory -Force | Out-Null
Set-Content -Path "$srcsecret.txt" -Value "sensitive data" -Encoding UTF8

# 2. Führen Sie den exakten xcopy-Befehl aus, der von APT15 verwendet wird
$xcopyCmd = "xcopy /D:09-29-2021 /S/Y/C c:usersREDACTEDDesktop c:windowstempwmi"
Invoke-Expression $xcopyCmd

# 3. Bereitstellen der bösartigen DLL (simuliert durch Kopieren einer legitimen DLL)
$malDllSrc = "$env:SystemRootSystem32mshtml.dll"
$malDllDst = "C:DOCUME~1ALLUSE~1IEHelpermshtml.dll"
New-Item -Path (Split-Path $malDllDst) -ItemType Directory -Force | Out-Null
Copy-Item -Path $malDllSrc -Destination $malDllDst -Force

# 4. Führen Sie rundll32 mit dem genauen APT15-Argumentmuster aus
$rundllCmd = "rundll32.exe C:DOCUME~1ALLUSE~1IEHelpermshtml.dll, IEHelper"
Invoke-Expression $rundllCmd

# -------------------------------------------------
# Ende der Simulation
# -------------------------------------------------

Bereinigungskommandos:

# Entfernen Sie Staging-Dateien und -Verzeichnisse
Remove-Item -Path "C:usersREDACTEDDesktopsecret.txt" -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
Remove-Item -Path "C:windowstempwmi" -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

# Entfernen Sie den gefälschten IEHelper-Ordner und die DLL
Remove-Item -Path "C:DOCUME~1ALLUSE~1IEHelper" -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

# Optional: Stoppen Sie Sysmon (wenn nur für den Test benötigt)
# & "$env:ProgramFilesSysinternalsSysmon.exe" -u

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Name	Descripiton
PHPSESSID	Preserves user session state across page requests. Cookie generated by applications based on the PHP language. This is a general purpose identifier used to maintain user session variables. It is normally a random generated number, how it is used can be specific to the site, but a good example is maintaining a logged-in status for a user between pages.
sp_i	Used to store information about authenticated User.
sp_r	Used to store information about authenticated User.
sp_a	Used to store information about authenticated User.

Name	Descripiton
tuuid	Collects anonymous data related to the user's visits to the website, such as the number of visits, average time spent on the website and what pages have been loaded.
tuuid_last_update	Collects anonymous data related to the user's visits to the website, such as the number of visits, average time spent on the website and what pages have been loaded.
um	Collects anonymous data related to the user's visits to the website, such as the number of visits, average time spent on the website and what pages have been loaded.
umeh	Collects anonymous data related to the user's visits to the website, such as the number of visits, average time spent on the website and what pages have been loaded.
na_sc_x	Used by the social sharing platform AddThis to keep a record of parts of the site that has been visited in order to recommend other parts of the site.
APID	Collects anonymous data related to the user's visits to the website.
IDSYNC	Collects anonymous data related to the user's visits to the website.
_cc_aud	Collects anonymous statistical data related to the user's website visits, such as the number of visits, average time spent on the website and what pages have been loaded. The purpose is to segment the website's users according to factors such as demographics and geographical location, in order to enable media and marketing agencies to structure and understand their target groups to enable customised online advertising.
_cc_cc	Collects anonymous statistical data related to the user's website visits, such as the number of visits, average time spent on the website and what pages have been loaded. The purpose is to segment the website's users according to factors such as demographics and geographical location, in order to enable media and marketing agencies to structure and understand their target groups to enable customised online advertising.
_cc_dc	Collects anonymous statistical data related to the user's website visits, such as the number of visits, average time spent on the website and what pages have been loaded. The purpose is to segment the website's users according to factors such as demographics and geographical location, in order to enable media and marketing agencies to structure and understand their target groups to enable customised online advertising.
_cc_id	Collects anonymous statistical data related to the user's website visits, such as the number of visits, average time spent on the website and what pages have been loaded. The purpose is to segment the website's users according to factors such as demographics and geographical location, in order to enable media and marketing agencies to structure and understand their target groups to enable customised online advertising.
dpm	Via a unique ID that is used for semantic content analysis, the user's navigation on the website is registered and linked to offline data from surveys and similar registrations to display targeted ads.
acs	Collects anonymous data related to the user's visits to the website, such as the number of visits, average time spent on the website and what pages have been loaded, with the purpose of displaying targeted ads.
clid	Collects anonymous data related to the user's visits to the website, such as the number of visits, average time spent on the website and what pages have been loaded, with the purpose of displaying targeted ads.
KRTBCOOKIE_#	Registers a unique ID that identifies the user's device during return visits across websites that use the same ad network. The ID is used to allow targeted ads.
PUBMDCID	Registers a unique ID that identifies the user's device during return visits across websites that use the same ad network. The ID is used to allow targeted ads.
PugT	Registers a unique ID that identifies the user's device during return visits across websites that use the same ad network. The ID is used to allow targeted ads.
ssi	Registers a unique ID that identifies a returning user's device. The ID is used for targeted ads.
_tmid	Registers a unique ID that identifies the user's device upon return visits. The ID is used to target ads in video clips.
wam-sync	Used by the advertising platform Weborama to determine the visitor's interests based on pages visits, content clicked and other actions on the website.
wui	Used by the advertising platform Weborama to determine the visitor's interests based on pages visits, content clicked and other actions on the website.
AFFICHE_W	Used by the advertising platform Weborama to determine the visitor's interests based on pages visits, content clicked and other actions on the website.
B	Collects anonymous data related to the user's website visits, such as the number of visits, average time spent on the website and what pages have been loaded. The registered data is used to categorise the users' interest and demographical profiles with the purpose of customising the website content depending on the visitor.
1P_JAR	These cookies are used to gather website statistics, and track conversion rates.
APISID	Google set a number of cookies on any page that includes a Google reCAPTCHA. While we have no control over the cookies set by Google, they appear to include a mixture of pieces of information to measure the number and behaviour of Google reCAPTCHA users.
HSID	Google set a number of cookies on any page that includes a Google reCAPTCHA. While we have no control over the cookies set by Google, they appear to include a mixture of pieces of information to measure the number and behaviour of Google reCAPTCHA users.
NID	Google set a number of cookies on any page that includes a Google reCAPTCHA. While we have no control over the cookies set by Google, they appear to include a mixture of pieces of information to measure the number and behaviour of Google reCAPTCHA users.
SAPISID	Google set a number of cookies on any page that includes a Google reCAPTCHA. While we have no control over the cookies set by Google, they appear to include a mixture of pieces of information to measure the number and behaviour of Google reCAPTCHA users.
SID	Google set a number of cookies on any page that includes a Google reCAPTCHA. While we have no control over the cookies set by Google, they appear to include a mixture of pieces of information to measure the number and behaviour of Google reCAPTCHA users.
SIDCC	Security cookie to protect users data from unauthorised access.
SSID	Google set a number of cookies on any page that includes a Google reCAPTCHA. While we have no control over the cookies set by Google, they appear to include a mixture of pieces of information to measure the number and behaviour of Google reCAPTCHA users.
__utmx	This cookie is associated with Google Website Optimizer, a tool designed to help site owners improve their wbesites. It is used to distinguish between two varaitions a webpage that might be shown to a visitor as part of an A/B split test. This helps site owners to detemine which version of a page performs better, and therefore helps to improve the website.
__utmxx	This cookie is associated with Google Website Optimizer, a tool designed to help site owners improve their wbesites. It is used to distinguish between two varaitions a webpage that might be shown to a visitor as part of an A/B split test. This helps site owners to detemine which version of a page performs better, and therefore helps to improve the website.

Name	Descripiton
_hjid	Hotjar cookie. This cookie is set when the customer first lands on a page with the Hotjar script. It is used to persist the random user ID, unique to that site on the browser. This ensures that behavior in subsequent visits to the same site will be attributed to the same user ID.
_hjIncludedInSample	This cookie is associated with web analytics functionality and services from Hot Jar, a Malta based company. It uniquely identifies a visitor during a single browser session and indicates they are included in an audience sample.
intercom-id-[xxx]	This cookie is used by Intercom as a session so that users can continue a chat as they move through the site.
intercom-session-[xxx]	Used to keeping track of sessions and remember logins and conversations.
demdex	Via a unique ID that is used for semantic content analysis, the user's navigation on the website is registered and linked to offline data from surveys and similar registrations to display targeted ads.
CookieConsent	Stores the user's cookie consent state for the current domain.
__cfduid	Used by the content network, Cloudflare, to identify trusted web traffic.
ss	These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation . They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. These services may include the Live Chat facility, Contact Us form(s), the Product Quotation forms and submission process, and the Email Newsletter sign up functionality .

Name	Descripiton
_ga	This cookie name is asssociated with Google Universal Analytics - which is a significant update to Google's more commonly used analytics service. This cookie is used to distinguish unique users by assigning a randomly generated number as a client identifier. It is included in each page. Registers a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website. request in a site and used to calculate visitor, session and campaign data for the sites analytics reports. By default it is set to expire after 2 years, although this is customisable by website owners.
_gat	Used by Google Analytics to throttle request rate. This cookie name is associated with Google Universal Analytics, according to documentation it is used to throttle the request rate - limiting the collection of data on high traffic sites. It expires after 10 minutes.
_gid	This cookie name is asssociated with Google Universal Analytics. This appears to be a new cookie and as of Spring 2017 no information is available from Google. It appears to store and update a unique value for each page visited. Registers a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website.
IDE	Used by Google DoubleClick to register and report the website user's actions after viewing or clicking one of the advertiser's ads with the purpose of measuring the efficacy of an ad and to present targeted ads to the user.
r/collect	Used by Google DoubleClick to register and report the website user's actions after viewing or clicking one of the advertiser's ads with the purpose of measuring the efficacy of an ad and to present targeted ads to the user.
test_cookie	Used to check if the user's browser supports cookies.
collect	Used to send data to Google Analytics about the visitor's device and behaviour. Tracks the visitor across devices and marketing channels.
ads/user-lists/#	These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites.
c	Registers anonymised user data, such as IP address, geographical location, visited websites, and what ads the user has clicked, with the purpose of optimising ad display based on the user's movement on websites that use the same ad network.
khaos	Registers anonymised user data, such as IP address, geographical location, visited websites, and what ads the user has clicked, with the purpose of optimising ad display based on the user's movement on websites that use the same ad network.
put_#	Registers anonymised user data, such as IP address, geographical location, visited websites, and what ads the user has clicked, with the purpose of optimising ad display based on the user's movement on websites that use the same ad network.
rpb	Registers anonymised user data, such as IP address, geographical location, visited websites, and what ads the user has clicked, with the purpose of optimising ad display based on the user's movement on websites that use the same ad network.
rpx	Registers anonymised user data, such as IP address, geographical location, visited websites, and what ads the user has clicked, with the purpose of optimising ad display based on the user's movement on websites that use the same ad network.
tap.php	Registers anonymised user data, such as IP address, geographical location, visited websites, and what ads the user has clicked, with the purpose of optimising ad display based on the user's movement on websites that use the same ad network.