Research Ocean Lotus

[plugxor]

Research Ocean Lotus for the emulation plan

Each member research the Ocean Lotus group over this next week (09FEB-13FEB). Add comments and links to the favorite reports on this issue when it meets the following criteria.

Interesting, unique, group-specific techniques leveraged
Quality vendor reputation
if attributed - description of how attribution was made
Clear analysis of malware and how it's used in the environment
Operating systems targeted
automated vs. manually entered commands

[cat-alyst]

Review current stack of work

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZEUiHeWYHSwhHZY6K0dqU6-_TFVHcOWOnU5JHYWki24/edit#heading=h.menntqnhxg3x

[cat-alyst]

Goal:

• Next meeting (13Feb21) be able to contribute to build a scenario based off research

Stretch Goal:

• What company to emulate
• Ocean Lotus infrastructure domain list
• Infrastructure systems we need in the environment

[cat-alyst]

Initial Infection	November 2020	https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/20/k/new-macos-backdoor-connected-to-oceanlotus-surfaces.html
Steganography Usage	April 2019	https://threatpost.com/oceanlotus-apt-uses-steganography-to-shroud-payloads/143373/
Windows - discusses how they change as IOCs are published	March 2019	https://www.welivesecurity.com/2019/03/20/fake-or-fake-keeping-up-with-oceanlotus-decoys/
Awesome report with a list of tools	2017	https://www.cybereason.com/hubfs/Cybereason%20Labs%20Analysis%20Operation%20Cobalt%20Kitty-Part2.pdf

Key Behaviors

• Self extracting archives to run code using misleading icons or unicode
• DLL side loading
• Fake timestamps -> concerted effort
• Targets English, 中文, and Cambodian
• Filenames randomly generated
• In-memory operations
• Automated clean up in decoy
• Large number of payloads used

[cat-alyst]

Goal
Discussion from 13FEB21 meeting - build out read me, define scope, continue research, submit public release for companies, and continue scenario. Approve of Cat's idea regarding human right activist company.

Stretch Goal

• What company to emulate
• Ocean Lotus infrastructure domain list - in report - https://www.volexity.com/blog/2017/11/06/oceanlotus-blossoms-mass-digital-surveillance-and-exploitation-of-asean-nations-the-media-human-rights-and-civil-society/

Still todo

• Infrastructure systems we need in the environment

Decided to emulate a human rights organization, which is in alignment with the victimology of Ocean Lotus.