MadBrit
New Member
- Joined
- May 17, 2018
- Messages
- 6 (0.00/day)
System Name | HomeBuild |
---|---|
Processor | Intel i7-7700K |
Motherboard | ASUS Z270F |
Cooling | Corsair H55 Hydro Series |
Memory | 32GB G.Skill Ripjaws V (PC4 25600) |
Video Card(s) | ASUS STRIX-GTX 1070 8G Gaming |
Storage | Samsung 850 Pro x 3, Crucial M4 (spare boot) |
Display(s) | LG 34UC79-G |
Case | Thermaltake View 31 |
Audio Device(s) | N/A |
Power Supply | Thermaltake Toughpower 850W |
Mouse | Logitec |
Keyboard | Logitec |
Software | Win 10 1803 |
Benchmark Scores | With or without malware infection? |
Hi,
Thanks in advance for any help...
Fresh Windows 10 1803
Home build w/ASUS STRIX Z270F MB, ASUS GTX 1070 8GB, i7-7700K, Samsung 850 Pro / Crucial M4
I have been fighting an infection with an extremely persistent malware that (after 8 weeks of analysis) is not detectable in user space by any AV. It has been sending me around in frustrating circles. I originally thought the malware was hiding in filesystem slack space, but it appears to be using a combination of evasion techniques that rewrite the HDD HPA/DCO, GPU Firmware (main infection source), SSD firmware (unable to BCDwipe certain sectors - multiple SSD's - unable to upgrade BIOS due to malware interference), and the motherboard BIOS (Blocks rescue disks). The malware blocks rescue CD's from running and locks the drive into hibernation to prevent offline scans. Reflashing the MB BIOS stops this for 1 boot, then the problem returns.
Once established, the malware silently downloads and replaces security related .EXE's (MBAM, Glasswire, Win Def, etc.) then starts on the system files. One by one, every 5-10 minutes from multiple CDN's that are not legit. All files are signed and pass VirusTotal. They are, however, WinPE versions of the files. The system then reboots and virtualizes itself, repartitioning a drive with free space to replicate and hide itself. It is *almost* invisible. Using MBR Filter helps and delays it enough to do some analysis, but then it starts imposing Group Policies to lock you out / flag legitimate apps as malware / changes hardware parameters (downgrades 7th Gen CPU to 6th Gen, etc.).
I know, crazy, right? I believe the origin of the malware is Chinese/Korean for a number of reasons that I won't go into here. On trying to upgrade the GTX 1070 firmware with the ASUS GPUUpdateBios.exe, I get a response "You no need update GPU Vbios!". I ran NVFlash with the latest firmware rev. but when I compare the bios to the .rom file, I get a number of mismatch inconsistencies in the InfoROM settings(InfoROM, Static (InfoROM Header - Timestamp), User Setting (OEM Information - Data), and Unallocated Space (size difference). Unallocated space is the source of the malware, i believe.
Long story short, I am unable to find any info on how to reset these parameters (or rest the card completely back to stock) and cannot find the relevant .IFR firmware mentioned in NVFlash to update this. On reboot, the malware takes the card back again and we're back to square one.
If there is a tool to completely reset all the card parameters to factory, or a hardware ninja method that provides similar results, I would very much appreciate some recommendations. If this malware resonates with anyone else, I would really like to know it's name as I have been unable to determine the strain.
Cheers!
Thanks in advance for any help...
Fresh Windows 10 1803
Home build w/ASUS STRIX Z270F MB, ASUS GTX 1070 8GB, i7-7700K, Samsung 850 Pro / Crucial M4
I have been fighting an infection with an extremely persistent malware that (after 8 weeks of analysis) is not detectable in user space by any AV. It has been sending me around in frustrating circles. I originally thought the malware was hiding in filesystem slack space, but it appears to be using a combination of evasion techniques that rewrite the HDD HPA/DCO, GPU Firmware (main infection source), SSD firmware (unable to BCDwipe certain sectors - multiple SSD's - unable to upgrade BIOS due to malware interference), and the motherboard BIOS (Blocks rescue disks). The malware blocks rescue CD's from running and locks the drive into hibernation to prevent offline scans. Reflashing the MB BIOS stops this for 1 boot, then the problem returns.
Once established, the malware silently downloads and replaces security related .EXE's (MBAM, Glasswire, Win Def, etc.) then starts on the system files. One by one, every 5-10 minutes from multiple CDN's that are not legit. All files are signed and pass VirusTotal. They are, however, WinPE versions of the files. The system then reboots and virtualizes itself, repartitioning a drive with free space to replicate and hide itself. It is *almost* invisible. Using MBR Filter helps and delays it enough to do some analysis, but then it starts imposing Group Policies to lock you out / flag legitimate apps as malware / changes hardware parameters (downgrades 7th Gen CPU to 6th Gen, etc.).
I know, crazy, right? I believe the origin of the malware is Chinese/Korean for a number of reasons that I won't go into here. On trying to upgrade the GTX 1070 firmware with the ASUS GPUUpdateBios.exe, I get a response "You no need update GPU Vbios!". I ran NVFlash with the latest firmware rev. but when I compare the bios to the .rom file, I get a number of mismatch inconsistencies in the InfoROM settings(InfoROM, Static (InfoROM Header - Timestamp), User Setting (OEM Information - Data), and Unallocated Space (size difference). Unallocated space is the source of the malware, i believe.
Long story short, I am unable to find any info on how to reset these parameters (or rest the card completely back to stock) and cannot find the relevant .IFR firmware mentioned in NVFlash to update this. On reboot, the malware takes the card back again and we're back to square one.
If there is a tool to completely reset all the card parameters to factory, or a hardware ninja method that provides similar results, I would very much appreciate some recommendations. If this malware resonates with anyone else, I would really like to know it's name as I have been unable to determine the strain.
Cheers!