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AppleSeed

AppleSeed is a backdoor that has been used by Kimsuky to target South Korean government, academic, and commercial targets since at least 2021.[1]

ID: S0622
ⓘ
Type: MALWARE
ⓘ
Platforms: Windows, Android
Version: 1.1
Created: 10 June 2021
Last Modified: 15 March 2022
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Enterprise Layer
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Techniques Used

Domain ID Name Use
Enterprise T1134 Access Token Manipulation

AppleSeed can gain system level privilege by passing SeDebugPrivilege to the AdjustTokenPrivilege API.[1]
Enterprise T1071 .001 Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols

AppleSeed has the ability to communicate with C2 over HTTP.[1][2]
Enterprise T1560 Archive Collected Data

AppleSeed has compressed collected data before exfiltration.[2]
.001 Archive via Utility

AppleSeed can zip and encrypt data collected on a target system.[1]
Enterprise T1119 Automated Collection

AppleSeed has automatically collected data from USB drives, keystrokes, and screen images before exfiltration.[2]
Enterprise T1547 .001 Boot or Logon Autostart Execution: Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder

AppleSeed has the ability to create the Registry key name EstsoftAutoUpdate at HKCU\Software\Microsoft/Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce to establish persistence.[1]
Enterprise T1059 .001 Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell

AppleSeed has the ability to execute its payload via PowerShell.[1]
.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript

AppleSeed has the ability to use JavaScript to execute PowerShell.[1]
Enterprise T1005 Data from Local System

AppleSeed can collect data on a compromised host.[1][2]
Enterprise T1025 Data from Removable Media

AppleSeed can find and collect data from removable media devices.[1][2]
Enterprise T1074 .001 Data Staged: Local Data Staging

AppleSeed can stage files in a central location prior to exfiltration.[1]
Enterprise T1030 Data Transfer Size Limits

AppleSeed has divided files if the size is 0x1000000 bytes or more.[2]
Enterprise T1140 Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information

AppleSeed can decode its payload prior to execution.[1]
Enterprise T1041 Exfiltration Over C2 Channel

AppleSeed can exfiltrate files via the C2 channel.[1]
Enterprise T1567 Exfiltration Over Web Service

AppleSeed has exfiltrated files using web services.[2]
Enterprise T1008 Fallback Channels

AppleSeed can use a second channel for C2 when the primary channel is in upload mode.[1]
Enterprise T1083 File and Directory Discovery

AppleSeed has the ability to search for .txt, .ppt, .hwp, .pdf, and .doc files in specified directories.[1]
Enterprise T1070 .004 Indicator Removal: File Deletion

AppleSeed can delete files from a compromised host after they are exfiltrated.[1]
Enterprise T1056 .001 Input Capture: Keylogging

AppleSeed can use GetKeyState and GetKeyboardState to capture keystrokes on the victim’s machine.[1][2]
Enterprise T1036 Masquerading

AppleSeed can disguise JavaScript files as PDFs.[1]
.005 Match Legitimate Name or Location

AppleSeed has the ability to rename its payload to ESTCommon.dll to masquerade as a DLL belonging to ESTsecurity.[1]
Enterprise T1106 Native API

AppleSeed has the ability to use multiple dynamically resolved API calls.[1]
Enterprise T1027 Obfuscated Files or Information

AppleSeed has the ability to Base64 encode its payload and custom encrypt API calls.[1]
.002 Software Packing

AppleSeed has used UPX packers for its payload DLL.[1]
Enterprise T1566 .001 Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment

AppleSeed has been distributed to victims through malicious e-mail attachments.[1]
Enterprise T1057 Process Discovery

AppleSeed can enumerate the current process on a compromised host.[1]
Enterprise T1113 Screen Capture

AppleSeed can take screenshots on a compromised host by calling a series of APIs.[1][2]
Enterprise T1218 .010 System Binary Proxy Execution: Regsvr32

AppleSeed can call regsvr32.exe for execution.[1]
Enterprise T1082 System Information Discovery

AppleSeed can identify the OS version of a targeted system.[1]
Enterprise T1016 System Network Configuration Discovery

AppleSeed can identify the IP of a targeted system.[1]
Enterprise T1124 System Time Discovery

AppleSeed can pull a timestamp from the victim's machine.[1]
Enterprise T1204 .002 User Execution: Malicious File

AppleSeed can achieve execution through users running malicious file attachments distributed via email.[1]

Groups That Use This Software

ID Name References
G0094 Kimsuky

[1][2]

References

  1. Jazi, H. (2021, June 1). Kimsuky APT continues to target South Korean government using AppleSeed backdoor. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  1. KISA. (2021). Phishing Target Reconnaissance and Attack Resource Analysis Operation Muzabi. Retrieved March 8, 2024.