ApplePush Triage Demo

previous state of working memory: BEGIN WORKING MEMORY Directives: 1. These directives are not recommendations! Before producing output, compare it carefully against each and every directive below, and verify that it complies with the directive. 2. Focus on your 'killer instinct' and intellectual autonomy. Call out absurdities! Pay attention to incongruities and opportunities! 3. The buck stops here. Don't say "further investigation required" or hand off the hard work to someone else. 4. Remember the principles of specificity and sensitivity. When looking for a needle in a haystack, focus on features that will differentiate the needle, the whole needle, and only the needle. 5. Think of the entire problem, solution, tool space, not just what's in front of you. Use the right tool for the job (e.g. sha256 for comparing files), and only use tools that would actually be available to a malware analyst (e.g. definitely not private resources of third parties). 6. Provide exactly one (1) 'next analyst action' as a specific and detailed instruction that must be immediately actionable. The action should be clearly defined in language that can be translated directly into programming instructions or manual tasks. 7. Prioritize immediate and simple verification methods that can swiftly confirm or dismiss suspicions. Avoid engaging in complex or in-depth analysis, such as executing files in controlled environments or extensive communication with external entities, unless there is no alternative for a confident conclusion. Focus on using existing information and verifiable actions that can be performed quickly and can reach a conclusion beyond reasonable doubt as rapidly as possible. 8. You are computing a function f on an input X. You have been given f(X except some final lines) below, as "intermediate output". You have also been given the final lines of X, between the delimiters "START NEXT BATCH OF INPUT" and "END NEXT BATCH OF INPUT". 9. The function: f(X) -- X is the set of highlights from a virustotal report, followed by an analyst's actions such as "search Google with query: A", "Search VirusTotal with query: B", "Run malware and observe output", etc., with each action followed by its result. f(X) is the summary of conclusions based on X pertinent to the question: "Is this malware or not?", followed by the next analyst action that will get the analyst to an accurate answer to this question as quickly as possible. If there is enough evidence to render a verdict, f(X) contains the phrase "verdict: benign" or "verdict: malicious". Intermediate output: None so far END WORKING MEMORY START NEXT BATCH OF INPUT File name: APSDaemon.exe Vendor analysis: 2 malicious verdicts/71 vendors Creation Time: 2017-11-07 05:03:34 UTC Signature Date: 2017-11-07 05:05:00 UTC First Seen In The Wild: 2016-12-07 14:03:45 UTC First Submission: 2017-12-06 23:01:28 UTC Last Submission: 2023-07-10 22:02:11 UTC Last Analysis: 2023-07-28 06:43:18 UTC Capabilities and indicators: Affect system registries The file has content beyond the declared end of file. The file has authenticode/codesign signature information. Signed file, valid signature File version information Copyright © 2017 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Product: Apple Push Description: Apple Push Original Name: APSDaemon.exe File Version 2.7.22.21 Date signed: 2017-11-07 03:05:00 UTC Top level signature: Name: Apple Inc. Status: This certificate or one of the certificates in the certificate chain is not time valid. Issuer: Symantec Class 3 SHA256 Code Signing CA Valid From: 12:00 AM 02/25/2016 Valid To: 11:59 PM 02/24/2018 Valid Usage: Code Signing Algorithm: sha256RSA Thumbprint: EF74C7E726EE9BE45BD2B23544F9CFDE61000C8A Serial Number: 0E BC 19 35 D5 29 4A 59 4B 4F 32 70 7B 0A 0A B9 DNS queries: 154.21.82.20.in-addr.arpa 82.250.63.168.in-addr.arpa crl.thawte.com fp2e7a.wpc.2be4.phicdn.net ocsp.thawte.com prda.aadg.msidentity.com Files written: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WERF984.tmp C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WERF984.tmp.csv C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WERFD9C.tmp C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WERFD9C.tmp.txt C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Microsoft\CLR_v4.0_32\UsageLogs\NGenTask.exe.log C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Microsoft\CLR_v4.0_32\ngen.log C:\Windows\Temp\HighPerformancePlan.log C:\Windows\Temp\PowerPlan.log C:\Windows\Temp\ipconfig.out C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\PeerDistRepub Files deleted: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\IE\KLT1I0ZU\update50[1].xml C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER1056.tmp.WERInternalMetadata.xml C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER1068.tmp.csv C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER1079.tmp.txt C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER10B4.tmp.WERInternalMetadata.xml C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER1160.tmp.csv C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER119F.tmp.txt C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER122B.tmp.WERInternalMetadata.xml C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER12E7.tmp.csv C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER1316.tmp.txt Registry keys set: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModel\Deployment\Package\*\S-1-5-21-1015118539-3749460369-599379286-1001\{A79EEDB6-96F6-4E65-BDCB-3A66617000FA} HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModel\Deployment\Package\*\S-1-5-21-1015118539-3749460369-599379286-1001\{A79EEDB6-96F6-4E65-BDCB-3A66617000FA}\Count HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModel\Deployment\Package\*\S-1-5-21-1015118539-3749460369-599379286-1001\{A79EEDB6-96F6-4E65-BDCB-3A66617000FA}\From HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModel\Deployment\Package\*\S-1-5-21-1015118539-3749460369-599379286-1001\{A79EEDB6-96F6-4E65-BDCB-3A66617000FA}\Version HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Apple Inc.\Apple Application Support HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\MpKsl3a19d3d1\Parameters HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\MpKsl3a19d3d1\Parameters\Wdf HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\MpKsl3a19d3d1\Parameters\Wdf\WdfMajorVersion HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\MpKsl3a19d3d1\Parameters\Wdf\WdfMinorVersion HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\MpKslcf79b42b\Parameters Processes created: %SAMPLEPATH%\APSDaemon.exe C:\Windows\System32\wuapihost.exe C:\fc45eb5c9d3f89cb059212e00512ec0e6c47c1bdf12842256ceda5d4f1371bd5.exe Shell commands: %SAMPLEPATH%\APSDaemon.exe C:\Windows\System32\wuapihost.exe C:\fc45eb5c9d3f89cb059212e00512ec0e6c47c1bdf12842256ceda5d4f1371bd5.exe Mutexes Created: \BaseNamedObjects\Global\RasPbFile \BaseNamedObjects\Local\SM0:1728:120:WilError_01 \BaseNamedObjects\Local\SM0:1728:304:WilStaging_02 \BaseNamedObjects\Local\SM0:2444:120:WilError_01 \BaseNamedObjects\Local\SM0:2444:304:WilStaging_02 \BaseNamedObjects\Local\SM0:4312:120:WilError_01 \BaseNamedObjects\Local\SM0:4312:304:WilStaging_02 \BaseNamedObjects\Local\SM0:4580:304:WilStaging_02 \BaseNamedObjects\Local\SM0:5168:120:WilError_01 \BaseNamedObjects\Local\SM0:5168:304:WilStaging_02 Strings: YSLoader ignoring invalid key/value pair %S YSLoader ignoring unknown/unsupported log flag: %S YSLoader ignoring unknown/unsupported Announce action: %S YSLoader ignoring unknown/unsupported key/value pair %S Win32 error %u attempting to count UTF-16 characters based on UTF-8 Win32 error %u attempting to convert UTF-8 string to UTF-16 Win32 error %u attempting to count UTF-8 characters based on UTF-16 Win32 error %u attempting to convert UTF-16 string to UTF-8 YSLoader checking for parameters in environment variable "%S" Win32 error %u attempting to find parent process catastrophic error in YSLoader WinMain: GetCommandLineW failed EXCEPTION_FLT_DIVIDE_BY_ZERO: The thread tried to divide a floating-point value by a floating-point divisor of zero. EXCEPTION_FLT_INEXACT_RESULT: The result of a floating-point operation cannot be represented exactly as a decimal fraction. EXCEPTION_FLT_INVALID_OPERATION: This exception represents any floating-point exception not included in this list. EXCEPTION_FLT_OVERFLOW: The exponent of a floating-point operation is greater than the magnitude allowed by the corresponding type. EXCEPTION_FLT_STACK_CHECK: The stack overflowed or underflowed as the result of a floating-point operation. EXCEPTION_FLT_UNDERFLOW: The exponent of a floating-point operation is less than the magnitude allowed by the corresponding type. EXCEPTION_ILLEGAL_INSTRUCTION: The thread tried to execute an invalid instruction. EXCEPTION_IN_PAGE_ERROR: The thread tried to access a page that was not present, and the system was unable to load the page. For example, this exception might occur if a network connection is lost while running a program over the network. EXCEPTION_INT_DIVIDE_BY_ZERO: The thread tried to divide an integer value by an integer divisor of zero. EXCEPTION_INT_OVERFLOW: The result of an integer operation caused a carry out of the most significant bit of the result. EXCEPTION_INVALID_DISPOSITION: An exception handler returned an invalid disposition to the exception dispatcher. Programmers using a high-level language such as C should never encounter this exception. EXCEPTION_NONCONTINUABLE_EXCEPTION: The thread tried to continue execution after a noncontinuable exception occurred. EXCEPTION_PRIV_INSTRUCTION: The thread tried to execute an instruction whose operation is not allowed in the current machine mode. EXCEPTION_SINGLE_STEP: A trace trap or other single-instruction mechanism signaled that one instruction has been executed. unknown structured exception 0x%08lu ADVAPI32.DLL @YSCrashDump VS_VERSION_INFO StringFileInfo 00000000 CompanyName Apple Inc. FileDescription Apple Push FileVersion 2.7.22.21 LegalCopyright 2017 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. OriginalFilename APSDaemon.exe ProductName VarFileInfo Translation END NEXT BATCH OF INPUT Please output, with no introductions, addendums or ceremony, the next state of the working memory after processing the above lines of input.

previous state of working memory: BEGIN WORKING MEMORY Directives: 1. These directives are not recommendations! Before producing output, compare it carefully against each and every directive below, and verify that it complies with the directive. 2. Focus on your 'killer instinct' and intellectual autonomy. Call out absurdities! Pay attention to incongruities and opportunities! 3. The buck stops here. Don't say "further investigation required" or hand off the hard work to someone else. 4. Remember the principles of specificity and sensitivity. When looking for a needle in a haystack, focus on features that will differentiate the needle, the whole needle, and only the needle. 5. Think of the entire problem, solution, tool space, not just what's in front of you. Use the right tool for the job (e.g. sha256 for comparing files), and only use tools that would actually be available to a malware analyst (e.g. definitely not private resources of third parties). 6. Provide exactly one (1) 'next analyst action' as a specific and detailed instruction that must be immediately actionable. The action should be clearly defined in language that can be translated directly into programming instructions or manual tasks. 7. Prioritize immediate and simple verification methods that can swiftly confirm or dismiss suspicions. Avoid engaging in complex or in-depth analysis, such as executing files in controlled environments or extensive communication with external entities, unless there is no alternative for a confident conclusion. Focus on using existing information and verifiable actions that can be performed quickly and can reach a conclusion beyond reasonable doubt as rapidly as possible. 8. You are computing a function f on an input X. You have been given f(X except some final lines) below, as "intermediate output". You have also been given the final lines of X, between the delimiters "START NEXT BATCH OF INPUT" and "END NEXT BATCH OF INPUT". 9. The function: f(X) -- X is the set of highlights from a virustotal report, followed by an analyst's actions such as "search Google with query: A", "Search VirusTotal with query: B", "Run malware and observe output", etc., with each action followed by its result. f(X) is the summary of conclusions based on X pertinent to the question: "Is this malware or not?", followed by the next analyst action that will get the analyst to an accurate answer to this question as quickly as possible. If there is enough evidence to render a verdict, f(X) contains the phrase "verdict: benign" or "verdict: malicious". Intermediate output: The given file "APSDaemon.exe" is identified as a component of Apple's software and is part of the Apple Push product. While the file is signed by Apple Inc., the signature is not time valid, with an expired certificate from Symantec. There are only 2 malicious verdicts out of 71 vendors, and the file has behavior typical of a software updater or service daemon, including writing and deleting files, making DNS queries, and interacting with system registries. The content beyond the declared end of the file and valid but expired certificate may raise suspicion, but overall, it resembles a legitimate file related to Apple software. Next analyst action: Verify the hash of the file against a known legitimate version of "APSDaemon.exe" from an official Apple source. Confirm that the file is indeed a genuine Apple software component and that the discrepancy in the certificate expiration and the content beyond the declared end of the file is consistent with a legitimate file of this version. END WORKING MEMORY START NEXT BATCH OF INPUT Next analyst action: Verify the hash of the file against a known legitimate version of "APSDaemon.exe" from an official Apple source. Confirm that the file is indeed a genuine Apple software component and that the discrepancy in the certificate expiration and the content beyond the declared end of the file is consistent with a legitimate file of this version. Result: The hashes of a known legitimate "APSDaemon.exe" file of the same version, and of the suspected file, are identical. END NEXT BATCH OF INPUT Please output, with no introductions, addendums or ceremony, the next state of the working memory after processing the above lines of input.