Winnti Malware HK University Campaign

SIGMA detection rule by Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Markus Neis · NOASSERTION

Detects specific process characteristics of Winnti malware noticed in Dec/Jan 2020 in a campaign against Honk Kong universities

title: Winnti Malware HK University Campaign
id: 3121461b-5aa0-4a41-b910-66d25524edbb
status: test
description: Detects specific process characteristics of Winnti malware noticed in Dec/Jan 2020 in a campaign against Honk Kong universities
references:
    - https://www.welivesecurity.com/2020/01/31/winnti-group-targeting-universities-hong-kong/
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Markus Neis
date: 2020-02-01
modified: 2021-11-27
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1574.001
    - attack.g0044
    - detection.emerging-threats
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection1:
        ParentImage|contains:
            - 'C:\Windows\Temp'
            - '\hpqhvind.exe'
        Image|startswith: 'C:\ProgramData\DRM'
    selection2:
        ParentImage|startswith: 'C:\ProgramData\DRM'
        Image|endswith: '\wmplayer.exe'
    selection3:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\Test.exe'
        Image|endswith: '\wmplayer.exe'
    selection4:
        Image: 'C:\ProgramData\DRM\CLR\CLR.exe'
    selection5:
        ParentImage|startswith: 'C:\ProgramData\DRM\Windows'
        Image|endswith: '\SearchFilterHost.exe'
    condition: 1 of selection*
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: critical

[[ currentRule.title && currentRule.title.length > 60 ? currentRule.title.slice(0, 60) + '…' : currentRule.title ]]

e5f191ab-b99c-4eb2-86b1-5bfde517b9d4

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Executable code, not a declarative rule

This submission is arbitrary [[ currentRule.format ? currentRule.format.toUpperCase() : '' ]] code, not a declarative detection rule — review it as you would any script before running it, and note that it cannot be safely aggregated or auto-executed alongside YARA/Sigma/Suricata/CRS rules.

Rejected pattern present

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[[ currentRule.title && currentRule.title.length > 60 ? currentRule.title.slice(0, 60) + '…' : currentRule.title ]]

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