LSASS.EXE

File Behavior

LSASS.EXE has been seen to perform the following behavior:

• The Process is packed and/or encrypted using a software packing process
• Found on infected systems and resists interrogation by security products
• Uses low level functions to hide itself from the user and from system/security processes
• Uses rootkit techniques to conceal its presence, interrogation or removal
• Creates a new Background Service on the machine
• Uses DNS to retrieve the IP address for web sites
• Registers a Dynamic Link Library File
• Makes outbound connections to other computers using NETBIOSOUT protocols
• Can communicate with other computers using TCP protocols
• Executes a Process
• Can communicate with other computer systems using HTTP protocols
• This Process Deletes Other Processes From Disk
• This process creates other processes on disk
• Registers or amends SMTP Mail Servers on the public internet
• Sends mail without telling you
• Checks for the use of debuggers
• Reads email address and phone book details
• Visits web sites on your PC without you knowing
• Looks at the contents of the autoexec.bat file
• This Process is a file infector which modifies program files to include a copy of the infection
• Writes to another Process's Virtual Memory (Process Hijacking)
• Modifies the Windows Host File which could be used to stop you visiting specific web sites by redirecting you to alternative addresses without you knowing
• The process hooks code into all running processes which could allow it to take control of the system or record keyboard input, mouse activity and screen contents
• Creates new folders on the system
• Copies files
• Injects code into other processes
• Deletes Links in the Start Menu
• Adds a Link in the Start Menu
• Disables safe mode on your PC
• Downloads program file(s) and other content from the web
• Changes the Internet Explorer Home Page Settings
• Modifies Windows Security Policies to restrict/expand User Privileges on the machine
• Disables the built in Windows File Protection System
• Disables the Built in Windows System Restore Feature
• Changes of IE options including home page, security tab, colour, font, advanced, menu
• Disables Access to the Windows Registry Editior
• Disables Access to the Task Manager built into Windows
• Adds a Registry Key (RUN) to auto start Programs on system start up
• Creates a TCP port which listens and is available for communication initiated by other computers
• Can make outbound communication to other computers, IM chat rooms and other services using IRC protocols

LSASS.EXE has been the subject of the following behavior:

• Added as a Registry auto start to load Program on Boot up
• Created as a process on disk
• Executed as a Process
• Copied to multiple locations on the system
• Registered as a Dynamic Link Library File
• Created by processes which appear to be checking for interception by security products
• Has code inserted into its Virtual Memory space by other programs
• Deleted as a process from disk
• Terminated as a Process
• This process has been seen to have code injected by malicious programs
• Created as a new Background Service on the machine
• Executed by Internet Explorer
• Deleted as a Link in the Start Menu
• Added as a Link in the Start Menu
• Executed from Temporary Folders