Mockingjay process injection technique

Analysis

• The Mockingjay process injection technique is an advancement in evading security measures.
• Threat actors exploit vulnerable DLLs and RWX permissions in existing Windows executable files to execute undetected malicious code.
• It bypasses memory allocation, permission setup, and thread creation, posing a challenge for EDR systems.
• Traditional process injection methods relying on specific system calls and Windows APIs are challenged by Mockingjay.
• Recent attack techniques, such as ClickOnce exploitation, demonstrate the evolving nature of cyber threats.

Prevention

• Patch and update vulnerable DLLs regularly.
• Implement robust security monitoring and analysis tools.
• Employ DLL integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized modifications.
• Provide security awareness training to employees.
• Utilize application sandboxing and isolation techniques.
• Deploy behavior-based endpoint protection solutions.
• Stay updated with threat intelligence and security practices. By following these prevention methods, organizations can significantly reduce the likelihood and impact of Mockingjay process injection attacks.

Detection

• Implement behavior-based anomaly detection to identify unusual process behaviors and unexpected code execution.
• Monitor memory activities for signs of unusual code execution or modifications to memory blocks.
• Regularly perform integrity checks on DLLs to detect unauthorized modifications or replacements.
• Monitor system events and logs for abnormal activities, such as unexpected process creation or unauthorized DLL loading.
• Deploy advanced Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions that utilize behavior-based analysis and threat intelligence.
• Stay updated with threat intelligence sharing communities to gather information on emerging attack techniques.
• Perform file and memory analysis to identify indicators of process injection, such as hidden or malicious code sections.

Conduct security audits and penetration testing to proactively identify vulnerabilities. By implementing a combination of these detection methods and maintaining continuous monitoring, organizations can enhance their ability to detect and respond to Mockingjay process injection attempts.

Indicators of compromise:

References:

https://thehackernews.com/2023/06/new-mockingjay-process-injection.html 

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/new-mockingjay-process-injection-technique-evades-edr-detection/