The Research Blog

Detecting Exposed Cobalt Strike DNS Redirectors

A technique was developed to detect exposed Cobalt Strike DNS redirectors by identifying DNS servers that consistently return the same IP address for all domain queries. The method involves scanning DNS servers and analyzing their response patterns to identify potential Cobalt Strike infrastructure. An internet-wide survey was conducted to validate the detection approach, revealing multiple potential Cobalt Strike DNS servers.

Attack Detection Fundamentals 2021: Windows - Lab #1

This article details a cybersecurity workshop demonstrating advanced Windows endpoint attack techniques for initial access. An HTA-based attack method was developed that drops a DLL and uses registration-free COM activation to execute a malicious payload. The payload involves shellcode injection, AMSI bypassing, and process injection techniques targeting Windows endpoints.

Attack Detection Fundamentals 2021: Windows - Lab #2

This article explores advanced defense evasion techniques in Windows cybersecurity, focusing on API unhooking and ETW bypassing. The lab demonstrates methods attackers can use to minimize their detection footprint during endpoint attacks, such as removing API hooks and disabling event tracing. Techniques include intercepting API calls, unhooking ntdll.dll, and manipulating .NET runtime event tracing to avoid security monitoring.

Attack Detection Fundamentals 2021: Windows - Lab #3

This article explores API hooking techniques for stealing RDP credentials during Windows authentication. The lab demonstrates how API hooks can intercept plaintext login information when users connect to remote desktop sessions. Multiple methods are presented, including using Frida and RdpThief, to extract credentials from the RDP client process.

Attack Detection Fundamentals 2021: Windows - Lab #4

This article demonstrates a technique for stealing browser cookies and saved passwords from a Windows endpoint using Chlonium. The attack involves extracting Chrome's encryption keys and cookie databases to hijack web sessions. System Access Control Lists (SACLs) are explored as a method for detecting and logging sensitive file access during such attacks.

Click here for free TV! - Chaining bugs to takeover Wind Vision accounts

A critical vulnerability was discovered in the Wind Vision mobile app that enables account takeover through chained security flaws. The attack exploits insecure URL schemes, weak device identification, and authentication mechanisms to intercept OAuth tokens. By crafting a malicious app, an attacker can potentially stream content or remove user devices from the Wind Vision account.

Sniff, there leaks my BitLocker key

A low-cost method was demonstrated to extract BitLocker encryption keys by sniffing the SPI bus of a Trusted Platform Module (TPM). The attack requires brief physical access to a target machine and can be performed using publicly available tools. By capturing TPM communication, the Volume Master Key can be retrieved and used to decrypt a BitLocker-protected drive.

Detecting Cobalt Strike Default Modules via Named Pipe Analysis

A technical analysis of Cobalt Strike's default modules reveals distinctive named and anonymous pipe communication patterns. The article explores how Cobalt Strike uses pipes for inter-process communication during post-exploitation activities like keylogging and screenshot capture. Detection techniques are proposed, including Yara rules and Splunk searches to identify these unique pipe characteristics.

Using and detecting C2 printer pivoting

A novel Command & Control (C2) technique using printer infrastructure for covert communication is explored in this article. The method involves placing print jobs in a paused state and using document names for data transfer. Multiple detection opportunities are detailed across endpoints, networks, and print servers to identify this stealthy communication method.

Samsung S20 - RCE via Samsung Galaxy Store App

A remote code execution vulnerability was discovered in the Samsung Galaxy Store app for S20 devices. The vulnerability allowed attackers to install applications without user consent by exploiting a WebView JavaScript interface. An attack could be conducted via a man-in-the-middle attack using NFC or WiFi.

GWTMap - Reverse Engineering Google Web Toolkit Applications

GWTMap is a novel tool for reverse engineering Google Web Toolkit (GWT) applications. The tool extracts and maps service method endpoints from obfuscated client-side code across different GWT versions. It enables cybersecurity professionals to generate example GWT-RPC request payloads and analyze the attack surface of GWT-based web applications.

Operationalising Calendar Alerts: Persistence on macOS

A novel macOS persistence technique leverages calendar alerts in Automator.app to execute arbitrary applications at specified times. The method exploits an undocumented API in EventKit to programmatically create calendar events with executable alerts. By using JavaScript for Automation (JXA), attackers can establish stealthy persistence on macOS systems through calendar event manipulation.