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XTunnel

XTunnel a VPN-like network proxy tool that can relay traffic between a C2 server and a victim. It was first seen in May 2013 and reportedly used by APT28 during the compromise of the Democratic National Committee. [1] [2] [3]

ID: S0117
Associated Software: Trojan.Shunnael, X-Tunnel, XAPS
Type: MALWARE
Platforms: Windows
Version: 2.0
Created: 31 May 2017
Last Modified: 19 April 2019

Associated Software Descriptions

Name Description
Trojan.Shunnael [4]
X-Tunnel [1][4]
XAPS [3]
Enterprise Layer
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Techniques Used

Domain ID Name Use
Enterprise T1009 Binary Padding

A version of XTunnel introduced in July 2015 inserted junk code into the binary in a likely attempt to obfuscate it and bypass security products.[3]
Enterprise T1059 Command-Line Interface

XTunnel has been used to execute remote commands.[1]
Enterprise T1090 Connection Proxy

XTunnel relays traffic between a C2 server and a victim.[1]
Enterprise T1081 Credentials in Files

XTunnel is capable of accessing locally stored passwords on victims.[2]
Enterprise T1008 Fallback Channels

The C2 server used by XTunnel provides a port number to the victim to use as a fallback in case the connection closes on the currently used port.[3]
Enterprise T1046 Network Service Scanning

XTunnel is capable of probing the network for open ports.[2]
Enterprise T1027 Obfuscated Files or Information

A version of XTunnel introduced in July 2015 obfuscated the binary using opaque predicates and other techniques in a likely attempt to obfuscate it and bypass security products.[3]
Enterprise T1105 Remote File Copy

XTunnel is capable of downloading additional files.[2]
Enterprise T1032 Standard Cryptographic Protocol

XTunnel uses SSL/TLS and RC4 to encrypt traffic.[2][3]

Groups That Use This Software

ID Name References
G0007 APT28 [5] [4]

References

  1. Alperovitch, D.. (2016, June 15). Bears in the Midst: Intrusion into the Democratic National Committee. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  2. Belcher, P.. (2016, July 28). Tunnel of Gov: DNC Hack and the Russian XTunnel. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  3. ESET. (2016, October). En Route with Sednit - Part 2: Observing the Comings and Goings. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  1. Symantec Security Response. (2018, October 04). APT28: New Espionage Operations Target Military and Government Organizations. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  2. ESET. (2016, October). En Route with Sednit - Part 3: A Mysterious Downloader. Retrieved November 21, 2016.