Upatre Downloader Trojan

Upatre is a downloader trojan used to deliver several other well-known malware families including Zeus, Dyre.

Threat ID:: CC-2543
Category:: Loader
Threat Severity:: Medium
Threat Vector:: Exploit kit, Email spam
Published:: 19 July 2018 12:00 AM

Report a cyber attack: call 0300 303 5222 or email [email protected]

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Summary

Upatre is a downloader trojan used to deliver several other well-known malware families including Zeus, Dyre.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows - All versions

Threat details

First observed in 2013, Upatre was believed to have been retired in early 2016 but has been involved in lower level campaigns since then.

It is typically delivered via spam email containing either an attachment or link to a hosting site. Various exploit kits have also been used as an infection vector for Upatre. Once installed, it will disable security services on Windows and Internet Explorer before spawning an instance of msiexec.exe and injecting itself into the process. Upatre also makes heavy use of code obfuscation and custom string encoding to prevent analysis.

Upatre uses encrypted .bit top-level domains for its command and control infrastructure to prevent removal by authorities. HTTP POST requests are used to retrieve the intended secondary malware as well as to transfer any data collected by Upatre to the threat actors.

Remediation advice

To prevent and detect an infection, ensure that:

Remediation steps

Type	Step
	A robust program of education and awareness training is delivered to users to ensure they don’t open attachments or follow links within unsolicited emails. All operating systems, anti-virus and other security products are kept up-to-date. All day-to-day computer activities such as email and internet are performed using non-administrative accounts. Strong password policies are in place. Network, proxy and firewall logs should be monitored for suspicious activity. User accounts accessed from affected devices should be reset on a clean computer. Your organisation adopts a holistic all-round approach to Cyber Security as advocated by the 10 Steps to Cyber Security.

Type

Step

A robust program of education and awareness training is delivered to users to ensure they don’t open attachments or follow links within unsolicited emails.
All operating systems, anti-virus and other security products are kept up-to-date.
All day-to-day computer activities such as email and internet are performed using non-administrative accounts.
Strong password policies are in place.
Network, proxy and firewall logs should be monitored for suspicious activity.
User accounts accessed from affected devices should be reset on a clean computer.
Your organisation adopts a holistic all-round approach to Cyber Security as advocated by the 10 Steps to Cyber Security.

Last edited: 17 February 2020 12:56 pm