Hackers Deliver Remcos Malware Via .pif Files and UAC Bypass in Windows

A sophisticated phishing campaign has emerged, distributing the notorious Remcos Remote Access Trojan (RAT) through the DBatLoader malware.

This attack chain, analyzed in ANY.RUN’s Interactive Sandbox, leverages a combination of User Account Control (UAC) bypass techniques, obfuscated scripts, Living Off the Land Binaries (LOLBAS) abuse, and persistence mechanisms to infiltrate systems undetected.

The campaign begins with a phishing email containing an archive, inside which lies a malicious executable named “FAKTURA.”

Once executed, this file deploys DBatLoader, setting the stage for a multi-layered assault on Windows systems.

What makes this attack particularly insidious is its use of outdated .pif (Program Information File) files, originally designed for configuring DOS-based programs in early Windows versions.

While obsolete for legitimate purposes, .pif files remain executable on modern Windows systems, allowing attackers to disguise their malicious payloads and execute them without triggering typical warning dialogs.

UAC Bypass and Evasion Tactics Unveiled

Delving deeper into the attack mechanics, DBatLoader exploits .pif files like “alpha.pif” (a Portable Executable file) to bypass UAC by creating deceptive directories such as “C:Windows “ note the trailing space.

According to Any.Run Report, this subtle manipulation of Windows folder name handling enables the malware to gain elevated privileges stealthily.

Furthermore, the campaign employs evasion tactics like using PING.EXE to ping the local loopback address (127.0.0.1) multiple times, introducing artificial delays to evade time-based detection mechanisms. In some instances, this technique doubles as a tool for remote system discovery.

Additionally, the malicious “svchost.pif” file triggers a script via NEO.cmd, which manipulates extrac32.exe to add specific paths to Windows Defender’s exclusion list, further shielding the malware from scrutiny.

Persistence is ensured through scheduled tasks that activate a “Cmwdnsyn.url” file, which in turn launches a .pif dropper to maintain the malware’s foothold across system reboots.

The final payload, Remcos RAT, is delivered via obfuscated .cmd scripts cloaked with tools like BatCloak, complicating analysis.

Remcos then injects itself into trusted processes such as SndVol.exe or colorcpl.exe, blending seamlessly into the system’s process landscape.

Proactive Detection in a Virtual Sandbox

Traditional signature-based defenses often fall short against such multi-stage attacks that rely on obfuscation and system-native tools.

Security experts recommend proactive detonation of suspicious files in a safe, virtual environment like ANY.RUN’s Interactive Sandbox, which supports Windows, Android, and Linux systems.

This cloud-based platform detects malware in under 40 seconds, significantly accelerating threat analysis and reducing incident response times for SOC teams.

By isolating suspicious files and URLs, it prevents risks to corporate infrastructure while enabling manual interaction with threats for deeper insights.

Analysts can monitor unusual file paths, track rogue processes, and analyze network connections, ultimately generating detailed reports with Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) for enhancing endpoint security.

This approach not only improves detection rates but also fosters team collaboration through configurable access levels and productivity tracking, making it a cost-effective solution to mitigate financial losses from prolonged threats.

As phishing campaigns grow more sophisticated, leveraging such advanced sandboxing tools becomes critical to staying ahead of adversaries exploiting forgotten file formats and system vulnerabilities.

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