Utilman.exe

  • File Path: C:\Windows\system32\Utilman.exe
  • Description: Utility Manager

Hashes

Type Hash
MD5 1FEE3EF75593F715AC858AA5DCFB724F
SHA1 1F4FDE393AA0A8FC8EE8B91C278FEAD43FA95796
SHA256 006EAB15D43639B420AC7380A923230CB47D96F35A0B0377538FF49725EFC23E
SHA384 262009FD10F3DE03E5A6DE929A8DCED875CDBCDCC7876D131D9723A704F4F37661F39580D8D425DAFC62BD865D617244
SHA512 4FC3DAE9E657BA77F60413A803B12D14C477F1286DE6E483C60917B33BA9204A07D8ABF70A6324D0EB041C4B14B8E20D495BFA8FDA9121ED08BAE906E2EF9A7F
SSDEEP 1536:bqHblWpQbaGfRM1pfdJzfpSOUqwGg+xKeXUj8VFylBvhizTcNNk25W:k5WQba4M11rJUJPnYdqBvozQNNH5
IMP FF20EBB2220D02C4DCD7EB2674E139BA
PESHA1 B10A9624AD917D4D9B7854291A213A86473F04C8
PE256 33213E01DED5B2F066DEC3A72D978745574DDA645AF6C7DF962DBDD2FFAD515C

Runtime Data

Loaded Modules:

Path
C:\Windows\System32\ADVAPI32.dll
C:\Windows\System32\bcryptPrimitives.dll
C:\Windows\System32\cfgmgr32.dll
C:\Windows\System32\combase.dll
C:\Windows\System32\cryptsp.dll
C:\Windows\system32\DUI70.dll
C:\Windows\system32\DUser.dll
C:\Windows\System32\GDI32.dll
C:\Windows\System32\gdi32full.dll
C:\Windows\System32\IMM32.DLL
C:\Windows\System32\kernel.appcore.dll
C:\Windows\System32\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\Windows\System32\KERNELBASE.dll
C:\Windows\System32\msvcp_win.dll
C:\Windows\System32\msvcrt.dll
C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\ntdll.dll
C:\Windows\System32\ole32.dll
C:\Windows\system32\OLEACC.dll
C:\Windows\System32\powrprof.dll
C:\Windows\System32\profapi.dll
C:\Windows\System32\RPCRT4.dll
C:\Windows\System32\sechost.dll
C:\Windows\System32\shcore.dll
C:\Windows\System32\SHELL32.dll
C:\Windows\System32\shlwapi.dll
C:\Windows\System32\ucrtbase.dll
C:\Windows\System32\USER32.dll
C:\Windows\system32\Utilman.exe
C:\Windows\System32\win32u.dll
C:\Windows\System32\windows.storage.dll
C:\Windows\WinSxS\amd64_microsoft.windows.common-controls_6595b64144ccf1df_6.0.17763.1518_none_de6e2bd0534e2567\COMCTL32.dll

Signature

  • Status: Signature verified.
  • Serial: 33000001C422B2F79B793DACB20000000001C4
  • Thumbprint: AE9C1AE54763822EEC42474983D8B635116C8452
  • Issuer: CN=Microsoft Windows Production PCA 2011, O=Microsoft Corporation, L=Redmond, S=Washington, C=US
  • Subject: CN=Microsoft Windows, O=Microsoft Corporation, L=Redmond, S=Washington, C=US

File Metadata

  • Original Filename: utilman2.exe.mui
  • Product Name: Microsoft Windows Operating System
  • Company Name: Microsoft Corporation
  • File Version: 10.0.17763.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800)
  • Product Version: 10.0.17763.1
  • Language: English (United States)
  • Legal Copyright: Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
  • Machine Type: 64-bit

File Scan

  • VirusTotal Detections: 0/71
  • VirusTotal Link: https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/006eab15d43639b420ac7380a923230cb47d96f35a0b0377538ff49725efc23e/detection/

Possible Misuse

The following table contains possible examples of Utilman.exe being misused. While Utilman.exe is not inherently malicious, its legitimate functionality can be abused for malicious purposes.

Source Source File Example License
sigma proc_creation_win_install_reg_debugger_backdoor.yml - 'utilman.exe' DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_stickykey_like_backdoor.yml - 'utilman.exe' DRL 1.0
sigma registry_event_stickykey_like_backdoor.yml - '\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\utilman.exe\Debugger' DRL 1.0
atomic-red-team T1546.008.md Two common accessibility programs are C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe, launched when the shift key is pressed five times and C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe, launched when the Windows + U key combination is pressed. The sethc.exe program is often referred to as “sticky keys”, and has been used by adversaries for unauthenticated access through a remote desktop login screen. (Citation: FireEye Hikit Rootkit) MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1546.008.md For simple binary replacement on Windows XP and later as well as and Windows Server 2003/R2 and later, for example, the program (e.g., C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe) may be replaced with “cmd.exe” (or another program that provides backdoor access). Subsequently, pressing the appropriate key combination at the login screen while sitting at the keyboard or when connected over Remote Desktop Protocol will cause the replaced file to be executed with SYSTEM privileges. (Citation: Tilbury 2014) MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1546.008.md | parent_list | Comma separated list of system binaries to which you want to attach each #{attached_process}. Default: “osk.exe” | String | osk.exe, sethc.exe, utilman.exe, magnify.exe, narrator.exe, DisplaySwitch.exe, atbroker.exe| MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1546.012.md Similar to Accessibility Features, on Windows Vista and later as well as Windows Server 2008 and later, a Registry key may be modified that configures “cmd.exe,” or another program that provides backdoor access, as a “debugger” for an accessibility program (ex: utilman.exe). After the Registry is modified, pressing the appropriate key combination at the login screen while at the keyboard or when connected with Remote Desktop Protocol will cause the “debugger” program to be executed with SYSTEM privileges. (Citation: Tilbury 2014) MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
signature-base thor_inverse_matches.yar description = “Abnormal utilman.exe - typical strings not found in file” CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base thor_inverse_matches.yar $win7 = “utilman.exe” wide fullword CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base thor_inverse_matches.yar ( filename == “utilman.exe” or filename == “Utilman.exe” ) CC BY-NC 4.0

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