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NanHaiShu

NanHaiShu is a remote access tool and JScript backdoor used by Leviathan. NanHaiShu has been used to target government and private-sector organizations that have relations to the South China Sea dispute. [1] [2]

ID: S0228
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Type: MALWARE
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Platforms: Windows
Version: 1.1
Created: 18 April 2018
Last Modified: 23 June 2020
Enterprise Layer
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Techniques Used

Domain ID Name Use
Enterprise T1071 .004 Application Layer Protocol: DNS

NanHaiShu uses DNS for the C2 communications.[2]
Enterprise T1547 .001 Boot or Logon Autostart Execution: Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder

NanHaiShu modifies the %regrun% Registry to point itself to an autostart mechanism.[2]
Enterprise T1059 .005 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic

NanHaiShu executes additional VBScript code on the victim's machine.[2]
.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript

NanHaiShu executes additional Jscript code on the victim's machine.[2]
Enterprise T1562 .001 Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify Tools

NanHaiShu can change Internet Explorer settings to reduce warnings about malware activity.[1]
Enterprise T1070 .004 Indicator Removal on Host: File Deletion

NanHaiShu launches a script to delete their original decoy file to cover tracks.[2]
Enterprise T1105 Ingress Tool Transfer

NanHaiShu can download additional files from URLs.[1]
Enterprise T1027 Obfuscated Files or Information

NanHaiShu encodes files in Base64.[2]
Enterprise T1218 .005 Signed Binary Proxy Execution: Mshta

NanHaiShu uses mshta.exe to load its program and files.[2]
Enterprise T1082 System Information Discovery

NanHaiShu can gather the victim computer name and serial number.[1]
Enterprise T1016 System Network Configuration Discovery

NanHaiShu can gather information about the victim proxy server.[1]
Enterprise T1033 System Owner/User Discovery

NanHaiShu collects the username from the victim.[2]

Groups That Use This Software

ID Name References
G0065 Leviathan

[1][3]

References

  1. Axel F, Pierre T. (2017, October 16). Leviathan: Espionage actor spearphishes maritime and defense targets. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  2. F-Secure Labs. (2016, July). NANHAISHU RATing the South China Sea. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  1. CISA. (2021, July 19). (AA21-200A) Joint Cybersecurity Advisory – Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures of Indicted APT40 Actors Associated with China’s MSS Hainan State Security Department.. Retrieved August 12, 2021.