Emerging Threathightest

Potential Ke3chang/TidePool Malware Activity

Detects registry modifications potentially related to the Ke3chang/TidePool malware as seen in campaigns running in 2019 and 2020

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Launch

Markus Neis, SwisscomCreated Thu Jun 18Updated Fri Mar 107b544661-69fc-419f-9a59-82ccc328f2052020

Emerging Threat

Active Threat

Developed to detect an active or emerging threat. Prioritize investigation of any alerts and correlate with threat intelligence.

Log Source

WindowsProcess Creation

ProductWindows← raw: windows

CategoryProcess Creation← raw: process_creation

Events generated when a new process is spawned on the system. Covers command-line arguments, parent/child relationships, and process metadata.

Detection Logic

detection:
    selection:
        # Ke3chang and TidePool both modify the IEHarden registry key, as well as the following list of keys.
        # Setting these registry keys is unique to the Ke3chang and TidePool malware families.
        # HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\Check_Associations
        # HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\DisableFirstRunCustomize
        # HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\ZoneMap\IEharden
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '-Property DWORD -name DisableFirstRunCustomize -value 2 -Force'
            - '-Property String -name Check_Associations -value'
            - '-Property DWORD -name IEHarden -value 0 -Force'
    condition: selection