Utilman.exe

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

Hashes

Type Hash
MD5 D43B720A4CEED1CD55FA4C636E82AF6B
SHA1 EA9CA204CAE91FFF1E683E8773616000BE96ACEB
SHA256 A86203121C16FEFA7B22EBCA332EEAAE2FE320E230BA0295807CA7856249F7E0
SHA384 003EF1E79215E503A432AFCABCF8339F3FFAD8BCB9A5E9005D7AF15EA29F9EAF394B72E15A691686201A54982BBC3AFB
SHA512 932A6943695E78F2C191A04AFC398DCE010B40A6F19D8762270119693310489EB7556951B8E359676448E15DAE244C2F8F6765FD1F5A149DF27AD43E9A91A584
SSDEEP 3072:pJyI3lT2GipfS2Y1azZ7hXjV5jL0WxpfGC:pJB3biB1Y1at71VNL0Wfu
IMP E5FCB3CE5267E7A046297CB30C754C41
PESHA1 5DD609F1F89408DC2481EC6BE42BEBB7E7CD53E7
PE256 53C5D12391F02276309556D2150402B8A0DAD5DBD8CC20C5E9A04669E127F253

Runtime Data

Loaded Modules:

Path
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\ntdll.dll
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wow64.dll
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wow64base.dll
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wow64con.dll
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wow64cpu.dll
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wow64win.dll
C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\Utilman.exe

Signature

  • Status: Signature verified.
  • Serial: 33000002ED2C45E4C145CF48440000000002ED
  • Thumbprint: 312860D2047EB81F8F58C29FF19ECDB4C634CF6A
  • 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: 10.0.22000.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800)
  • Product Version: 10.0.22000.1
  • Language: English (United States)
  • Legal Copyright: Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
  • Machine Type: 32-bit

File Scan

  • VirusTotal Detections: 0/72
  • VirusTotal Link: https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/a86203121c16fefa7b22ebca332eeaae2fe320e230ba0295807ca7856249f7e0/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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