Emotet Malware Analysis
Table of Contents
Malware Analysis - This article is part of a series.
Overview: #
Emotet is a sophisticated malware that has been active since 2014. It is known for its modular architecture and its ability to evade detection by security software. Emotet is primarily spread through email phishing campaigns, and once it infects a system, it can download and execute additional malware, steal sensitive data, and propagate through the network. In this analysis, we will examine the Emotet malware and its behavior.
Analysis: #
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Delivery Mechanism: Emotet is delivered through email phishing campaigns. The emails often appear to be legitimate messages from reputable sources, such as banks, shipping companies, or government agencies. The emails usually contain a malicious attachment or a link to a website that downloads the malware onto the victim’s system.
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Malware Architecture: Emotet has a modular architecture, which means that it is composed of several modules that can be dynamically loaded and executed. The modules include:
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Loader Module: This module is responsible for downloading and installing the Emotet malware onto the victim’s system.
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Configuration Module: This module is used to configure the malware’s behavior. It can be used to set up communication with the Command and Control (C2) server, define the target systems, and configure the data exfiltration settings.
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Spamming Module: This module is responsible for sending out spam emails to other potential victims. It can use the victim’s email account to send out these messages, making them appear more legitimate.
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Credential Stealing Module: This module is used to steal sensitive information from the victim’s system, such as usernames and passwords. It can also steal information from web browsers, email clients, and other applications.
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Propagation Module: This module is used to propagate the malware to other systems on the network. It can use several methods, such as exploiting vulnerabilities, using stolen credentials, or using social engineering techniques.
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Behavior: Once Emotet infects a system, it can perform several malicious activities, including:
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Stealing Sensitive Information: Emotet can steal sensitive information from the victim’s system, such as login credentials, email messages, and financial information.
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Propagating to Other Systems: Emotet can propagate to other systems on the network, using several methods, such as exploiting vulnerabilities or using stolen credentials.
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Downloading Additional Malware: Emotet can download and execute additional malware onto the victim’s system, such as ransomware or banking Trojans.
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Evading Detection: Emotet uses several techniques to evade detection by security software, such as encrypting its modules, using code obfuscation, and changing its behavior dynamically.
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Indicators of Compromise: The following are some indicators of compromise associated with Emotet:
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Malicious email attachments with file extensions such as .doc, .docm, .xls, .xlsm, .ppt, .pptm, and .js
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Malicious URLs that redirect to websites hosting Emotet malware
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Emotet executable file names, such as malspam.doc, bill.docm, and scan.exe
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Emotet C2 servers, such as hxxp://emotet[.]su, hxxp://bluespicefamily[.]com, and hxxp://ravikhanna[.]com
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Conclusion: #
Emotet is a highly sophisticated malware that can cause significant damage to the victim’s system and network. It is primarily spread through email phishing campaigns and has a modular architecture that allows it to download and