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TAINTEDSCRIBE

TAINTEDSCRIBE is a fully-featured beaconing implant integrated with command modules used by Lazarus Group. It was first reported in May 2020.[1]

ID: S0586
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Type: MALWARE
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Platforms: Windows
Contributors: Daniyal Naeem, BT Security
Version: 1.0
Created: 05 March 2021
Last Modified: 25 April 2025
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Enterprise Layer
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Techniques Used

Domain ID Name Use
Enterprise T1560 Archive Collected Data

TAINTEDSCRIBE has used FileReadZipSend to compress a file and send to C2.[1]
Enterprise T1547 .001 Boot or Logon Autostart Execution: Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder

TAINTEDSCRIBE can copy itself into the current user’s Startup folder as "Narrator.exe" for persistence.[1]
Enterprise T1059 .003 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell

TAINTEDSCRIBE can enable Windows CLI access and execute files.[1]
Enterprise T1001 .003 Data Obfuscation: Protocol or Service Impersonation

TAINTEDSCRIBE has used FakeTLS for session authentication.[1]
Enterprise T1573 .001 Encrypted Channel: Symmetric Cryptography

TAINTEDSCRIBE uses a Linear Feedback Shift Register (LFSR) algorithm for network encryption.[1]
Enterprise T1008 Fallback Channels

TAINTEDSCRIBE can randomly pick one of five hard-coded IP addresses for C2 communication; if one of the IP fails, it will wait 60 seconds and then try another IP address.[1]
Enterprise T1083 File and Directory Discovery

TAINTEDSCRIBE can use DirectoryList to enumerate files in a specified directory.[1]
Enterprise T1070 .004 Indicator Removal: File Deletion

TAINTEDSCRIBE can delete files from a compromised host.[1]
.006 Indicator Removal: Timestomp

TAINTEDSCRIBE can change the timestamp of specified filenames.[1]
Enterprise T1105 Ingress Tool Transfer

TAINTEDSCRIBE can download additional modules from its C2 server.[1]
Enterprise T1680 Local Storage Discovery

TAINTEDSCRIBE can use DriveList to retrieve drive information.[1]
Enterprise T1036 .005 Masquerading: Match Legitimate Resource Name or Location

The TAINTEDSCRIBE main executable has disguised itself as Microsoft’s Narrator.[1]
Enterprise T1027 .001 Obfuscated Files or Information: Binary Padding

TAINTEDSCRIBE can execute FileRecvWriteRand to append random bytes to the end of a file received from C2.[1]
Enterprise T1057 Process Discovery

TAINTEDSCRIBE can execute ProcessList for process discovery.[1]
Enterprise T1018 Remote System Discovery

The TAINTEDSCRIBE command and execution module can perform target system enumeration.[1]
Enterprise T1124 System Time Discovery

TAINTEDSCRIBE can execute GetLocalTime for time discovery.[1]

Groups That Use This Software

ID Name References
G0032 Lazarus Group

[1]

References

  1. USG. (2020, May 12). MAR-10288834-2.v1 – North Korean Trojan: TAINTEDSCRIBE. Retrieved March 5, 2021.