MVISION Insights: LemonDuck Same Duck New TTPs
Technical Articles ID:
KB94764
Last Modified: 8/11/2021
Last Modified: 8/11/2021
Environment
IMPORTANT: This Knowledge Base article discusses a specific threat that is being automatically tracked by MVISION Insights technology. The content is intended for use by MVISION Insights users, but is provided for general knowledge to all McAfee Enterprise customers. Contact McAfee Enterprise for more information about MVISION Insights.
Summary
LemonDuck is an actively maintained and updated coin miner malware, recently modules have been added to the coin miner malware to allow for more obfuscation, C2 communication, remote access and installation of additional malware modules along with the ability to uninstall or disable competitor coin miners and anti-virus software and services. Recent LemonDuck infections have exploited Microsoft Exchange vulnerabilities that have yet to be patched by system administrators of the target organization. CVE-2021-26855, CVE-2021-26857, CVE-2021-26858 and CVE-2021-27065 have had patches released by Microsoft to address the vulnerabilities being exploited by LemonDuck, however some systems with internet facing applications remain unpatched to date.
The McAfee Enterprise ATR Team gathers and analyzes information from multiple open and closed sources before disseminating intelligence reports.
This campaign was researched by Cisco Talos and shared publicly.
How to use this article:
- If a Threat Hunting table has been created, use the rules contained to search for malware related to this campaign.
- Review the product detection table and confirm that your environment is at least on the specified content version.
To download the latest content versions, go to the Security Updates page.
- Scroll down and review the "Product Countermeasures" section of this article. Consider implementing them if they are not already in place.
- Review
KB91836 - Countermeasures for entry vector threats, which contains countermeasures . - Review KB87843 - List of and best practices for Endpoint Security Dynamic Application Containment rules.
- Review KB82925 - Identify what rule corresponds to an Adaptive Threat Protection and Threat Intelligence Exchange event.
This Knowledge Base article discusses a specific threat that is being tracked. The list of IOCs will change over time; check MVISION Insights for the latest IOCs.
Campaign IOC
| Type | Value |
| SHA256 | E8010A6942B70918FF01219128A005E13BCBC41B62E88261803CEDF086738266 |
| SHA256 | 4A49002C12281C2E45BCFC330F006611CE34791EDA62CF4022A117AE29A57908 |
| SHA256 | 069547EEBB24585455D6EECE493EB46A8E045029CB97ACE0A662394AEBDBF7B7 |
| SHA256 | 3E2F5F43EE0B5AFBEA8A65AE943C5D40AC66E7AF43067312B29B7D05E8EA31F2 |
| SHA256 | AFC70220E3100E142477A2C4EA54F298A7A6474FEBC51BA581FC1E5C2DA2F3F6 |
| SHA256 | B3F8E579315A8639AE5389E81699F11C7A7797161568E609EB387FBFB623A519 |
| SHA256 | EDB4AF3AD9083BBDD67F6FA742B1959DA2BDA28BAADACFB7705216A9AF5B61B0 |
| SHA256 | F3C25EEFACDA4E37D36FA61CDBD5B3BA0FCB89351DB829C4D859F9BCB83551CD |
| SHA256 | C3C786616D69C1268B6BB328E665CE1A5ECB79F6D2ADD819B14986F6D94031A1 |
| SHA256 | 67D3986C97A8B8842C76130DB300FF9CD49E6956C696F860413B7B4CF0F069EC |
| SHA256 | D811B21AC8AB643C1A1A213E52C548E6CB0BEA51CA426B75A1F5739FAFF16CBD |
| SHA256 | 7C3BA189CF35EC007237A28E9D0C3DDF5765D4F85CF0E27439BA36CC721E4CF8 |
| SHA256 | 0E116B0C88A727C5BFA761125BA08DFD772F0FAC13AB16D7AC1A614FF7EC72CA |
| SHA256 | 941DA851C01806FA983E972CB6F603399FBD6608DF9280A753F3D2ED0FEDAFB5 |
| SHA256 | 6BE5847C5B80BE8858E1FF0ECE401851886428B1F22444212250133D49B5EE30 |
| SHA256 | 9F2FB97FEA297F146A714D579666A1B9EFD611EDD8C1484629E0A458481307E5 |
| URL | http://t.hwqloan.com/dns |
| URL | http://t.hwqloan.com/m6.exe |
| URL | http://t.hwqloan.com/svchost.dat |
| URL | http://t.hwqloan.com/shell.txt |
| URL | http://d.hwqloan.com/t.txt |
| URL | http://d.hwqloan.com/syspstem.dat |
| URL | http://t.ouler.cc/dns |
| URL | http://ps2.jusanrihua.com/dns |
| URL | http://ps2.jusanrihua.com:80/ps |
| DOMAIN | aeon-pool.sqlnetcat.com |
| DOMAIN | apis.890.la |
| DOMAIN | wakuang.eatuo.com |
| DOMAIN | dqiuhfnyl.kr |
| DOMAIN | vtr1rg2d9jq.jp |
| DOMAIN | f56ov2bn.cn |
| DOMAIN | zd0ovcfb.jp |
| DOMAIN | eey8qwb.jp |
| DOMAIN | eiv0vgad.cn |
| DOMAIN | xnxa8pv.jp |
| DOMAIN | av4rq7lnz.kr |
| DOMAIN | emydh4vzvk.cn |
| DOMAIN | qlhcxbc.kr |
| DOMAIN | ruesialjtcg.kr |
| DOMAIN | mua1s5tv.kr |
| DOMAIN | cuqmxrn2ac.jp |
| DOMAIN | d2btrgukxo.jp |
| DOMAIN | gkttpf.cn |
| DOMAIN | ikkgvegplc.kr |
| DOMAIN | 9o6xvwm.kr |
| DOMAIN | g9ve5b6t4.cn |
| DOMAIN | 7m03nx.jp |
Minimum Content Versions:
| Content Type | Version |
| V2 DAT (VirusScan Enterprise) | 9998 |
| V3 DAT (Endpoint Security) | 4450 |
Detection Summary
| IOC | Scanner | Detection |
| E8010A6942B70918FF01219128A005E13BCBC41B62E88261803CEDF086738266 | AVEngine V2 | PS/LemonDuck |
| AVEngine V3 | PS/LemonDuck | |
| JTI (ATP Rules) | - | |
| RP Static | Real Protect-PSCFR!144F3EDE7EC9 | |
| RP Dynamic | - |
| IOC | Scanner | Detection |
| 4A49002C12281C2E45BCFC330F006611CE34791EDA62CF4022A117AE29A57908 | AVEngine V2 | Generic.gkr |
| AVEngine V3 | Generic.gkr | |
| JTI (ATP Rules) | JTI/Suspect.196612!15d4d22235d3 | |
| RP Static | - | |
| RP Dynamic | - |
| IOC | Scanner | Detection |
| 069547EEBB24585455D6EECE493EB46A8E045029CB97ACE0A662394AEBDBF7B7 | AVEngine V2 | GenericRXAA-FA!27B1ECBC9124 |
| AVEngine V3 | GenericRXAA-FA!27B1ECBC9124 | |
| JTI (ATP Rules) | JTI/Suspect.196612!27b1ecbc9124 | |
| RP Static | - | |
| RP Dynamic | - |
| IOC | Scanner | Detection |
| 3E2F5F43EE0B5AFBEA8A65AE943C5D40AC66E7AF43067312B29B7D05E8EA31F2 | AVEngine V2 | BAT/Downloader.ao |
| AVEngine V3 | BAT/Downloader.ao | |
| JTI (ATP Rules) | JTI/Suspect.262476 | |
| RP Static | - | |
| RP Dynamic | - |
| IOC | Scanner | Detection |
| AFC70220E3100E142477A2C4EA54F298A7A6474FEBC51BA581FC1E5C2DA2F3F6 | AVEngine V2 | PS/LemonDuck |
| AVEngine V3 | PS/LemonDuck | |
| JTI (ATP Rules) | - | |
| RP Static | - | |
| RP Dynamic | - |
| IOC | Scanner | Detection |
| B3F8E579315A8639AE5389E81699F11C7A7797161568E609EB387FBFB623A519 | AVEngine V2 | PS/Agent.eb |
| AVEngine V3 | PS/Agent.eb | |
| JTI (ATP Rules) | JTI/Suspect.327685!cda48fc75952 | |
| RP Static | Real Protect-PSL!6282D6D2339A | |
| RP Dynamic | - |
| IOC | Scanner | Detection |
| EDB4AF3AD9083BBDD67F6FA742B1959DA2BDA28BAADACFB7705216A9AF5B61B0 | AVEngine V2 | PS/LemonDuck |
| AVEngine V3 | PS/LemonDuck | |
| JTI (ATP Rules) | - | |
| RP Static | Real Protect-PSFL!707E94DF1BAD | |
| RP Dynamic | - |
| IOC | Scanner | Detection |
| F3C25EEFACDA4E37D36FA61CDBD5B3BA0FCB89351DB829C4D859F9BCB83551CD | AVEngine V2 | PYTHON/Agent.e |
| AVEngine V3 | PYTHON/Agent.e | |
| JTI (ATP Rules) | - | |
| RP Static | - | |
| RP Dynamic | - |
| IOC | Scanner | Detection |
| C3C786616D69C1268B6BB328E665CE1A5ECB79F6D2ADD819B14986F6D94031A1 | AVEngine V2 | PS/Agent.eb |
| AVEngine V3 | PS/Agent.eb | |
| JTI (ATP Rules) | JTI/Suspect.327685!cda48fc75952 | |
| RP Static | Real Protect-PSL!A8BF439DFC13 | |
| RP Dynamic | - |
| IOC | Scanner | Detection |
| 67D3986C97A8B8842C76130DB300FF9CD49E6956C696F860413B7B4CF0F069EC | AVEngine V2 | PS/Downloader.do |
| AVEngine V3 | PS/Downloader.do | |
| JTI (ATP Rules) | - | |
| RP Static | Real Protect-PSFL!AA03D14E5BE7 | |
| RP Dynamic | - |
| IOC | Scanner | Detection |
| D811B21AC8AB643C1A1A213E52C548E6CB0BEA51CA426B75A1F5739FAFF16CBD | AVEngine V2 | CoinMiner-FBU!C9F912B1A57F |
| AVEngine V3 | CoinMiner-FBU!C9F912B1A57F | |
| JTI (ATP Rules) | JTI/Suspect.196612!c9f912b1a57f | |
| RP Static | - | |
| RP Dynamic | - |
| IOC | Scanner | Detection |
| 7C3BA189CF35EC007237A28E9D0C3DDF5765D4F85CF0E27439BA36CC721E4CF8 | AVEngine V2 | PS/Agent.eb |
| AVEngine V3 | PS/Agent.eb | |
| JTI (ATP Rules) | - | |
| RP Static | - | |
| RP Dynamic | - |
| IOC | Scanner | Detection |
| 0E116B0C88A727C5BFA761125BA08DFD772F0FAC13AB16D7AC1A614FF7EC72CA | AVEngine V2 | BAT/Downloader.ao |
| AVEngine V3 | BAT/Downloader.ao | |
| JTI (ATP Rules) | JTI/Suspect.262476 | |
| RP Static | - | |
| RP Dynamic | - |
| IOC | Scanner | Detection |
| 941DA851C01806FA983E972CB6F603399FBD6608DF9280A753F3D2ED0FEDAFB5 | AVEngine V2 | PS/LemonDuck |
| AVEngine V3 | PS/LemonDuck | |
| JTI (ATP Rules) | JTI/Suspect.327685 | |
| RP Static | Real Protect-PSL!E15B6B29351E | |
| RP Dynamic | - |
| IOC | Scanner | Detection |
| 6BE5847C5B80BE8858E1FF0ECE401851886428B1F22444212250133D49B5EE30 | AVEngine V2 | PYTHON/Agent.e |
| AVEngine V3 | PYTHON/Agent.e | |
| JTI (ATP Rules) | JTI/Suspect.196612!e96cb5886e95 | |
| RP Static | - | |
| RP Dynamic | - |
| IOC | Scanner | Detection |
| 9F2FB97FEA297F146A714D579666A1B9EFD611EDD8C1484629E0A458481307E5 | AVEngine V2 | FakeMS-NSSM |
| AVEngine V3 | FakeMS-NSSM | |
| JTI (ATP Rules) | JTI/Suspect.196612!5d8da5f6b3d2 | |
| RP Static | - | |
| RP Dynamic | - |
Minimum set of Manual Rules to improve protection to block this campaign
IMPORTANT: Always follow best practices when you enable new rules and signatures.
When you implement new rules or signatures, always set them to Report mode first and check the alerts generated. Resolve any issues that arise and then set the rules to Block. This step mitigates against triggering false positives and allows you to refine your configuration.
For more information, see KB87843 - List of and best practices for Endpoint Security Dynamic Application Containment rules.
Endpoint Security - Advanced Threat Protection:
Rule ID: 270 Identify and block suspicious command parameters which are manipulated to bypass detection
Rule ID: 5 Use GTI URL reputation to identify trusted or malicious processes
Rule ID: 332 Prevent certutil.exe from downloading or decoding files with suspect extensions
Rule ID: 4 Use GTI file reputation to identify trusted or malicious files
Rule ID: 258 Detect most likely masqueraded files which can result in suspicious process launches
Rule ID: 5 Use GTI URL reputation to identify trusted or malicious processes
Rule ID: 332 Prevent certutil.exe from downloading or decoding files with suspect extensions
Rule ID: 4 Use GTI file reputation to identify trusted or malicious files
Rule ID: 258 Detect most likely masqueraded files which can result in suspicious process launches
Endpoint Security - Exploit Prevention:
Rule ID: 6143 T1003 - Attempt to Dump Password Hash from SAM Database
Rule ID: 6084 Powershell Command Restriction - NoLogo
Rule ID: 8003 Fileless Threat: Suspicious Powershell Behavior Detected
Rule ID: 6096 Powershell Command Restriction - InvokeExpression
Rule ID: 6081 Powershell Command Restriction - NoProfile
Rule ID: 6086 Powershell Command Restriction - Command
Rule ID: 6073 Execution Policy Bypass in Powershell
Rule ID: 6152 T1003 - Unintended Lsass.exe access detected
Rule ID: 6070 Hidden Powershell Detected
Rule ID: 6135 Unmanaged Powershell Detected
Rule ID: 6084 Powershell Command Restriction - NoLogo
Rule ID: 8003 Fileless Threat: Suspicious Powershell Behavior Detected
Rule ID: 6096 Powershell Command Restriction - InvokeExpression
Rule ID: 6081 Powershell Command Restriction - NoProfile
Rule ID: 6086 Powershell Command Restriction - Command
Rule ID: 6073 Execution Policy Bypass in Powershell
Rule ID: 6152 T1003 - Unintended Lsass.exe access detected
Rule ID: 6070 Hidden Powershell Detected
Rule ID: 6135 Unmanaged Powershell Detected
Host Intrusion Prevention:
Rule ID: 6087 Powershell Command Restriction - EncodedCommand
Rule ID: 6084 Powershell Command Restriction - NoLogo
Rule ID: 6096 Powershell Command Restriction - InvokeExpression
Rule ID: 6081 Powershell Command Restriction - NoProfile
Rule ID: 6085 Powershell Command Restriction - File
Rule ID: 6086 Powershell Command Restriction - Command
Rule ID: 6073 Execution Policy Bypass in Powershell
Rule ID: 6070 Hidden Powershell Detected
Rule ID: 6135 Unmanaged Powershell Detected
Rule ID: 6082 Powershell Command Restriction - ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted
Rule ID: 6084 Powershell Command Restriction - NoLogo
Rule ID: 6096 Powershell Command Restriction - InvokeExpression
Rule ID: 6081 Powershell Command Restriction - NoProfile
Rule ID: 6085 Powershell Command Restriction - File
Rule ID: 6086 Powershell Command Restriction - Command
Rule ID: 6073 Execution Policy Bypass in Powershell
Rule ID: 6070 Hidden Powershell Detected
Rule ID: 6135 Unmanaged Powershell Detected
Rule ID: 6082 Powershell Command Restriction - ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted
Aggressive set of Manual Rules to improve protection to block this campaign
IMPORTANT: Always follow best practices when you enable new rules and signatures.
When you implement new rules or signatures, always set them to Report mode first and check the alerts generated. Resolve any issues that arise and then set the rules to Block. This step mitigates against triggering false positives and allows you to refine your configuration.
For more information, see KB87843 - List of and best practices for Endpoint Security Dynamic Application Containment rules.
Virusscan Enterprise - Access Protection Rules:
Prevent programs registering as a service
Prevent Windows Process spoofing
Prevent creation of new executable files in the Windows folder
Prevent Windows Process spoofing
Prevent creation of new executable files in the Windows folder
Host Intrusion Prevention:
Rule ID: 2806 Attempt to create a hardlink to a file
Rule ID: 412 Double File Extension Execution
Rule ID: 6011 Generic Application Invocation Protection
Rule ID: 6010 Generic Application Hooking Protection
Rule ID: 1020 Windows Agent Shielding - File Access
Rule ID: 1148 CMD Tool Access by a Network Aware Application
Rule ID: 412 Double File Extension Execution
Rule ID: 6011 Generic Application Invocation Protection
Rule ID: 6010 Generic Application Hooking Protection
Rule ID: 1020 Windows Agent Shielding - File Access
Rule ID: 1148 CMD Tool Access by a Network Aware Application
Endpoint Security - Access Protection Rules:
