Utilman.exe

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

Hashes

Type Hash
MD5 B0CBB83A8E75F61E261B0BCBEB117B61
SHA1 FF1509E9C0BE765056264B171D047130ABC514F6
SHA256 FC6DFD41F75BB4640767BE808A2D890AC7654AAF2C505455732D9F6290F9A030
SHA384 4C2A8E01A879CCDA855835DEE528A682453778D5C7192291EAD029F573FFBEDC8228249840DC7738A127A81D3A4FD24E
SHA512 25387F37737589711276D92160B8998DB6972DD75EF8F6C387C12514BB380779AE8954301C11278F1E7304F18E7243ADAA3F0DBA1BCE9D18697D07F15EDA5B54
SSDEEP 1536:OcofAgDrvk1QP8lob2wrlX09Ogx94NkLBijcYnm+CjoSxEfZ59kovpvgX1shlXN6:Wz/Alob3naWEg0jbxEf9vls1ElXNo5o
IMP A2FCCA077B02C4BE5588E6BDCA6B76AA
PESHA1 A697F53CC32EB3AF7DDF7030E66AF3467D008822
PE256 4500582113C6B1D63B209DA98AF45A7E4F13B6BD4509AF515E6D180458C4A422

Runtime Data

Loaded Modules:

Path
C:\Windows\System32\ADVAPI32.dll
C:\Windows\System32\combase.dll
C:\Windows\System32\GDI32.dll
C:\Windows\System32\gdi32full.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\RPCRT4.dll
C:\Windows\System32\sechost.dll
C:\Windows\System32\ucrtbase.dll
C:\Windows\System32\USER32.dll
C:\Windows\system32\Utilman.exe
C:\Windows\System32\win32u.dll

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.mui
  • 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.
  • Machine Type: 64-bit

File Scan

  • VirusTotal Detections: 0/74
  • VirusTotal Link: https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/fc6dfd41f75bb4640767be808a2d890ac7654aaf2c505455732d9f6290f9a030/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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