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KeyBoy

KeyBoy is malware that has been used in targeted campaigns against members of the Tibetan Parliament in 2016.[1][2]

ID: S0387
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Type: MALWARE
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Platforms: Windows
Version: 1.3
Created: 14 June 2019
Last Modified: 18 April 2024
Enterprise Layer
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Techniques Used

Domain ID Name Use
Enterprise T1547 .004 Boot or Logon Autostart Execution: Winlogon Helper DLL

KeyBoy issues the command reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" to achieve persistence.[2] [1]
Enterprise T1059 .001 Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell

KeyBoy uses PowerShell commands to download and execute payloads.[2]
.003 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell

KeyBoy can launch interactive shells for communicating with the victim machine.[2][3]
.005 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic

KeyBoy uses VBS scripts for installing files and performing execution.[1]
.006 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python

KeyBoy uses Python scripts for installing files and performing execution.[1]
Enterprise T1543 .003 Create or Modify System Process: Windows Service

KeyBoy installs a service pointing to a malicious DLL dropped to disk.[3]
Enterprise T1555 .003 Credentials from Password Stores: Credentials from Web Browsers

KeyBoy attempts to collect passwords from browsers.[3]
Enterprise T1001 .003 Data Obfuscation: Protocol Impersonation

KeyBoy uses custom SSL libraries to impersonate SSL in C2 traffic.[2]
Enterprise T1083 File and Directory Discovery

KeyBoy has a command to launch a file browser or explorer on the system.[2]
Enterprise T1564 .003 Hide Artifacts: Hidden Window

KeyBoy uses -w Hidden to conceal a PowerShell window that downloads a payload. [2]
Enterprise T1070 .006 Indicator Removal: Timestomp

KeyBoy time-stomped its DLL in order to evade detection.[2]
Enterprise T1105 Ingress Tool Transfer

KeyBoy has a download and upload functionality.[2][3]
Enterprise T1056 .001 Input Capture: Keylogging

KeyBoy installs a keylogger for intercepting credentials and keystrokes.[3]
Enterprise T1559 .002 Inter-Process Communication: Dynamic Data Exchange

KeyBoy uses the Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) protocol to download remote payloads.[2]
Enterprise T1027 .013 Obfuscated Files or Information: Encrypted/Encoded File

In one version of KeyBoy, string obfuscation routines were used to hide many of the critical values referenced in the malware.[1]
Enterprise T1113 Screen Capture

KeyBoy has a command to perform screen grabbing.[2]
Enterprise T1082 System Information Discovery

KeyBoy can gather extended system information, such as information about the operating system, disks, and memory.[2][3]
Enterprise T1016 System Network Configuration Discovery

KeyBoy can determine the public or WAN IP address for the system.[2]

Groups That Use This Software

ID Name References
G0081 Tropic Trooper

[4][5]

References

  1. Hulcoop, A., et al. (2016, November 17). It’s Parliamentary KeyBoy and the targeting of the Tibetan Community. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  2. Parys, B. (2017, February 11). The KeyBoys are back in town. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  3. Guarnieri, C., Schloesser M. (2013, June 7). KeyBoy, Targeted Attacks against Vietnam and India. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  1. Ray, V. (2016, November 22). Tropic Trooper Targets Taiwanese Government and Fossil Fuel Provider With Poison Ivy. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  2. Alexander, G., et al. (2018, August 8). Familiar Feeling: A Malware Campaign Targeting the Tibetan Diaspora Resurfaces. Retrieved June 17, 2019.