Utilman.exe

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

Hashes

Type Hash
MD5 AA765332ACD18BCCB031A55FA64D5957
SHA1 7CAA7ECE8842CCFF598156D9C9828DEEF5104AF6
SHA256 4B4B20BB9BFCF79C2AA4EDC39C649CA6244851B95B1F3842A187450D4E2BEBE1
SHA384 FD276F3EC2E89F7AE64771D5CB8DDDE8602646C59EAA003560E9B6063062E27E00F2C552A1265CB99620E212505CB7E8
SHA512 1DFA7641D377A2AE746BEF2017860FD5FC1A7EF483DDF30528B20B72ABB045A6703C78A7EEBB18578D6598DCA8D063F9A299F84772F1F7BE63211FE1E05B3B70
SSDEEP 1536:mzKO3PHD3zip90jKhsVtBxnoVCxNrDLJ6QLH84P6cuN5i:m20zg9eKh67z6084Pry

Signature

  • Status: Signature verified.
  • Serial: 33000000BCE120FDD27CC8EE930000000000BC
  • Thumbprint: E85459B23C232DB3CB94C7A56D47678F58E8E51E
  • 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: 10.0.14393.0 (rs1_release.160715-1616)
  • Product Version: 10.0.14393.0
  • Language: English (United States)
  • Legal Copyright: Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

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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