Executive Summary

• SGI sensors detected a file with a low reputation score according to VirusTotal, originating from an IP address in Hong Kong.
• The file’s metadata suggests it may be a configuration or dependency file, but its origin and low reputation raise suspicion.
• The likely objective is reconnaissance or initial staging for a potential future attack.
• The business risk is low, but requires further investigation and monitoring.
• Organizations should monitor for similar activity and implement preventative controls to reduce the attack surface.

Observed Activity (SGI Sensors)

At 2025-08-25T19:44:07.419Z, an SGI sensor detected network activity originating from IP address 101.36.109.176, associated with AS135377 in Hong Kong. The activity involved a TCP connection, and included a payload. The SHA256 hash of the payload, 01ba4719c80b6fe911b091a7c05124b64eeece964e09c058ef8f9805daca546b, was extracted and submitted to VirusTotal for further analysis. The low reputation score warrants further investigation, despite the benign classifications.

Malware/Technique Overview

The observed file has been identified as part of a standalone-framework.js malware family, but with low severity. Given the limited information, it is difficult to determine the exact initial access vector or target. However, the presence of a file with a low reputation score suggests possible reconnaissance or initial access attempts.

• T1105 – Command and Scripting Interpreter

VirusTotal Snapshot

VirusTotal analysis shows the file hash (01ba4719c80b6fe911b091a7c05124b64eeece964e09c058ef8f9805daca546b) was undetected by 62 vendors and not flagged as malicious. The reputation score is -575. The file is described as Text. Aliases include “.keep”, “main.md”, “dependency_links.txt”, “project.clj”, and “__init__7.py”.

• VirusTotal Sample

Indicators of Compromise (IoCs)

Monitor these IoCs for at least 30 days.

Detection & Hunting

Splunk SPL

index=* sourcetype=network_traffic dest_ip=101.36.109.0/24
| table _time, src_ip, dest_port, bytes_in, bytes_out, sha256_hash
| where sha256_hash="01ba4719c80b6fe911b091a7c05124b64eeece964e09c058ef8f9805daca546b"

This query searches for network traffic to the suspect IP range and filters for the specific SHA256 hash. Validate any matches against known good software in your environment to avoid false positives. Consider filtering by User-Agent for web traffic, if applicable.

Containment, Eradication & Recovery

1. Isolate: Isolate the affected systems from the network to prevent further propagation.
2. Block: Block the malicious IP address (101.36.109.176) at the firewall.
3. Scan: Perform a full system scan with updated antivirus and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions.
4. Reimage (if needed): If the system is highly compromised, reimage the affected machines.
5. Credential Resets: Reset any potentially compromised credentials.

Inform IT and leadership about the incident. Preserve all logs and artifacts for forensic analysis.

Hardening & Preventive Controls

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implement MFA for all critical systems (NIST CSF PR.AC-1, CIS Control 6).
• EDR Tuning: Fine-tune your EDR solution to detect suspicious file executions and network connections (NIST CSF DE.CM-1, CIS Control 10).
• Network Segmentation: Segment your network to limit the blast radius of potential attacks (NIST CSF PR.AC-5, CIS Control 14).
• Least Privilege: Enforce the principle of least privilege (NIST CSF PR.AC-3, CIS Control 5).
• Patch SLAs: Implement and enforce patching SLAs to address known vulnerabilities promptly (NIST CSF PR.PT-1, CIS Control 7).

Business Impact & Risk Outlook

The potential business impact is low, considering the low severity of the observed activity. However, if the activity represents an initial reconnaissance attempt, the risk could escalate. Operational risks include potential system compromise and data breaches. Reputational risks are minimal at this stage. We expect to see continued reconnaissance attempts from various sources, potentially using similar techniques, over the next 3-6 months. Organizations should remain vigilant and proactive in their security posture.

Appendix

.keep
main.md
dependency_links.txt
project.clj
__init__7.py

Assumptions & Data Gaps

• We assume the payload is not a false positive and requires investigation.
• Sensor name information is missing.
• Port is missing, assuming standard ports.

References

• VirusTotal Sample

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