Malicious Turla PNG Dropper Service Masquerading as Windows Error Reporting via Service Creation

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
- T1543.003Windows Service
Priv Esc
- T1543.003Windows Service
Defense Evasion
- T1036.005Match Legitimate Resource Name or Location
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects installation of a Windows service using names that masquerade as legitimate Windows Error Reporting components which the Turla PNG Dropper uses for persistence. Observed in NCC Group research on the returning Turla PNG Dropper which registers services such as WerFaultSvc and RegRunnerSvc to load steganographic payloads. Detecting these masquerading service installations helps catch stealthy persistence by this espionage actor.

Reporting behind it

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Malicious Turla PNG Dropper Service Masquerading as Windows Error Reporting via Service Creation

Pivot detection · T1543.003 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

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