1. Home
  2. Software
  3. Turian

Turian

Turian is a backdoor that has been used by BackdoorDiplomacy to target Ministries of Foreign Affairs, telecommunication companies, and charities in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. First reported in 2021, Turian is likely related to Quarian, an older backdoor that was last observed being used in 2013 against diplomatic targets in Syria and the United States.[1]

ID: S0647
ⓘ
Type: MALWARE
ⓘ
Platforms: Windows, Linux
Contributors: Zaw Min Htun, @Z3TAE
Version: 1.0
Created: 21 September 2021
Last Modified: 18 October 2021
Version Permalink
Enterprise Layer
download view

Techniques Used

Domain ID Name Use
Enterprise T1071 .001 Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols

Turian has the ability to use HTTP for its C2.[1]
Enterprise T1560 .001 Archive Collected Data: Archive via Utility

Turian can use WinRAR to create a password-protected archive for files of interest.[1]
Enterprise T1547 .001 Boot or Logon Autostart Execution: Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder

Turian can establish persistence by adding Registry Run keys.[1]
Enterprise T1059 .003 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell

Turian can create a remote shell and execute commands using cmd.[1]
.004 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell

Turian has the ability to use /bin/sh to execute commands.[1]
.006 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python

Turian has the ability to use Python to spawn a Unix shell.[1]
Enterprise T1001 .001 Data Obfuscation: Junk Data

Turian can insert pseudo-random characters into its network encryption setup.[1]
Enterprise T1074 .001 Data Staged: Local Data Staging

Turian can store copied files in a specific directory prior to exfiltration.[1]
Enterprise T1140 Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information

Turian has the ability to use a XOR decryption key to extract C2 server domains and IP addresses.[1]
Enterprise T1083 File and Directory Discovery

Turian can search for specific files and list directories.[1]
Enterprise T1105 Ingress Tool Transfer

Turian can download additional files and tools from its C2.[1]
Enterprise T1036 .004 Masquerading: Masquerade Task or Service

Turian can disguise as a legitimate service to blend into normal operations.[1]
Enterprise T1027 Obfuscated Files or Information

Turian can use VMProtect for obfuscation.[1]
Enterprise T1120 Peripheral Device Discovery

Turian can scan for removable media to collect data.[1]
Enterprise T1113 Screen Capture

Turian has the ability to take screenshots.[1]
Enterprise T1082 System Information Discovery

Turian can retrieve system information including OS version, memory usage, local hostname, and system adapter information.[1]
Enterprise T1016 System Network Configuration Discovery

Turian can retrieve the internal IP address of a compromised host.[1]
Enterprise T1033 System Owner/User Discovery

Turian can retrieve usernames.[1]

Groups That Use This Software

ID Name References
G0135 BackdoorDiplomacy

[1]

References

  1. Adam Burgher. (2021, June 10). BackdoorDiplomacy: Upgrading from Quarian to Turian. Retrieved September 1, 2021