Utilman.exe

  • File Path: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Utilman.exe
  • Description: Utility Manager

Hashes

Type Hash
MD5 8AD7C62A874D0DE5B2DC3823710364FC
SHA1 163BAA0B19D33C8351F2BBBEB5587DD1C56FC379
SHA256 29E406A9926DA88330A9CA81BB16732E6B1693A61701E641B62634B71C384430
SHA384 8B172825BB0BF34C08122489D0DA83F8BA2865A9CD86C790BB22D504C26A2900AA5BF33804BC585F6F3664537D04229C
SHA512 EECDEB426BE733DC4743EC423168808DBB48A06DF83F7F33D3EC824897D6FA164252679C3EFBD22626E9DBF782D2A3BD2169D4007C6DDBD663B6AEF23E0B8BBE
SSDEEP 1536:U6YYGKrfg1PNsKf87M/Is+9DnFfFxbzphAVzPlliSPTcqgoLSbgvVoZtn5qMVGhk:6YGKb8dfAMMfXfA5vu7T

Runtime Data

Loaded Modules:

Path
C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\ntdll.dll
C:\Windows\System32\wow64.dll
C:\Windows\System32\wow64win.dll
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Utilman.exe

Signature

  • Status: Signature verified.
  • Serial: 3300000266BD1580EFA75CD6D3000000000266
  • Thumbprint: A4341B9FD50FB9964283220A36A1EF6F6FAA7840
  • 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
  • Product Name: Microsoft Windows Operating System
  • Company Name: Microsoft Corporation
  • File Version: 10.0.19041.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800)
  • Product Version: 10.0.19041.1
  • Language: English (United States)
  • Legal Copyright: Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

File Similarity (ssdeep match)

File Score
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Utilman.exe 49
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Utilman.exe 54
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Utilman.exe 57
C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\Utilman.exe 43

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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