Academy
TermTechnique

Crypter

A tool that encrypts malware and hides it inside a loader, so that the file on disk does not match antivirus signatures.

Flow

  1. 1Payload encrypted
  2. 2Loader runs
  3. 3Payload starts in memory
Related families
RedLine Stealer, PureLogs, Rhadamanthys
MITRE ATT&CK
T1027 · Obfuscated Files or Information
Sources
8 sources
01

Overview

A crypter encrypts or compresses the actual malware and embeds it in a small loader that decrypts it in memory when run. The file seen on disk is completely different from the payload inside. MITRE ATT&CK

Infostealer sellers and customers buy crypting as a separate service; the same family arrives in a different shell in each campaign. MITRE ATT&CK

02

How it works

  1. 1

    Payload encrypted

    The malware is encrypted and embedded in the loader as a data block. MITRE ATT&CK

  2. 2

    Loader runs

    When the user opens the file, the loader decrypts the block in memory. MITRE ATT&CK

  3. 3

    Payload starts in memory

    The decrypted code is often placed inside a legitimate process; it may never be written to disk. MITRE ATT&CK

03

Real-world examples

RedLine: distributed with crypters

RedLine Stealer profile

RedLine was mostly distributed inside a crypter, disguised as unlicensed software and fake installers. Zscaler

04

How to detect it

  • Executables carrying a high-entropy data section and importing very few functions. MITRE ATT&CK
  • Executable code regions unpacked in memory with no counterpart on disk. MITRE ATT&CK
05

What to do

  • Use endpoint protection that scans memory and monitors behavior; the file on disk will be different every time. MITRE ATT&CK
06

MITRE ATT&CK

07

Related families and terms

08

Sources

  1. 1Obfuscated Files or Information (T1027) · MITRE ATT&CK
  2. 2Software Packing (T1027.002) · MITRE ATT&CK
  3. 3Embedded Payloads (T1027.009) · MITRE ATT&CK
  4. 4Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information (T1140) · MITRE ATT&CK
  5. 5Process Injection (T1055) · MITRE ATT&CK
  6. 6Infostealer malware mimicking pirated software downloads · Zscaler
  7. 7PureLogs infostealer analysis: don't judge a PNG by its header · Swiss Post Cybersecurity
  8. 8Behavior Prevention on Endpoint (M1040) · MITRE ATT&CK
From the Essential plan

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