Blog

Recent months have seen a sophisticated wave of cyberattacks hit the Pakistan, hackers using an unusual and even extremely dangerous method. Microsoft MSC (Microsoft Script Component) files are being exploited by cybercriminals to drop an obfuscated backdoor that allows the threat actors to go undetected on targeted systems. Hacking by Trick Bot has come to the attention of security community because the ways of hackers to evade traditional defenses became more evolved. In this article, we will look at how Microsoft MSc files are being used in these attacks, and how dangerous they are to you, and the best practices to defend yourself

Microsoft MSC Files: What are they?

Before we get into how these attacks will impact you, it’s important to first understand a bit about Microsoft MSC files, what they are and how they work. Microsoft MSC is a script file which used for Microsoft’s scripting technology. Usually, these files are used on system administration, software installations etc.… within Windows environments. MSC files are typically scripts written in one of several scripting languages such as Visual Basic.

This can also be a security risk, because as you can see these files are so widely used that they can be easily run. Microsoft MSC files are trusted by systems and by most of the security software’s, allowing cybercriminals to use them to deliver malware. Microsoft MSC files have now become exploited vectors in the case of the ongoing attacks in Pakistan, and hackers have discovered a way to inject obfuscated malicious code into them. Along with helping the attackers stay stealth, this obfuscation technique renders the payload harder for traditional security tools to identify and detect.

The Obfuscated Backdoor Role

What is perhaps one of the most alarming things about these attacks is that the backdoors are completely obfuscated. A backdoor is a way of entering a system that a person doesn’t know about. These backdoors are often designed to be persistent — if they’re on a system and rebooted, or if the security measures are involved, the hacker still maintains the access.

You Can Also Read: Flaws in Open-Source ML Frameworks Exposed

This makes it much harder to detect and literally means hacking from the inside. Hidden or obfuscated, the sub screened backdoor is geared towards allowing hackers to hide or disguise the actual malicious code within the backdoor. The attackers obfuscate the code by means, such as encoding, encryption, or any other kind of change, so that classic security devices don’t understand the malicious behavior. It’s a level of sophistication that means, if an antivirus scans the MSC file, then the simplicity of the backdoor means it will never be detected.

On the case of Pakistan such hackers have used obfuscated backdoors embedded into Microsoft MSC files making the delivery through phishing campaigns or thru malicious email attachments. After obtaining access, the backdoor is installed on the file once it is opened and is executed. From here, they can run many other activities such as, stealing sensitive data, spying on target, or launching further attacks inside the network.

Why are Microsoft MSC files so dangerous?

Specially, Microsoft MSC files are dangerous to be exploited as vector of malicious activity for several reasons. One of reasons about why Microsoft MSC files are trusted by the security software is that they are commonly used for legitimate reasons. Such a trust can allow users and security systems to feel too comfortable, making it easier for attackers to sneak by harsh defenses.

Secondly, the obfuscation techniques used to cover up the malicious code within the MSC files make it impossible even to the most up to date antivirus software, to identify the threat. More often than not, the backdoor sits uncaught for weeks, even months, allowing the hackers to run rampant with their attacks.

The Microsoft MSC files are then often run with high privilege making the installation of a backdoor will often allow the attacker to bypass your host’s security restrictions and do all sorts of evil things on your machine. It could involve changing system files; turning off security on your device; installing additional malware.

The Impact on Pakistan

These cyberattacks seem to be the target of government agencies, the critical infrastructure sectors and private businesses in Pakistan. The type of information that can be exfiltrated through the deployment of an obfuscated backdoor is very sensitive. A tampered government agency may allow attackers to figure out confidential documents and intelligence. On the other hand, private businesses can be targeted for money, and in the process intellectual property and sensitive financial data are stolen.

In addition, since these obfuscated backdoors stay residents for so long, hackers can then launch further attacks, such as running a ransomware campaign, damaging infrastructure or disrupting routine services. And as these backdoors persist, once discovered the attacker can still continue operations, in effect, eradicating the threat is not possible because the threat persists.

How to Prevent the MSC File Based Attack.

As Microsoft MSC files can bring about such hazards, organizations and people need to make protection against these sorts of assaults a top priority. Below are several best practices that can help mitigate the risks associated with MSC file-based exploits:

• Implement Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) Solutions: But, if MSC files hide sophisticated obfuscated backdoors, the MSC files may be out of reach for traditional antivirus software. While some of these protective technologies are individual techniques on their own, like heuristics, antivirus scanning, sandboxing, anti-virus blacklists, URL blacklists or various filtering measures, the most advanced threat protection (ATP) solutions take a behavioral and machine learning approach and they can recognize suspicious activity and flag potentially malicious files even when they are obfuscated or disguised.
• Monitor and Restrict MSC File Execution: MSC files should be ran only by trusted sources and scripts should only be run on critical systems by authorized personnel. Detecting any suspicious MSC files before they can do harm involves monitoring regular files and scripts in the network.
• User Education and Awareness: User education is one of the most powerful ways to defend against MSC file-based attacks. Employees ought to be trained to spot phishing emails and malicious attachments with Microsoft MSC files perhaps attached. A well-informed workforce is less likely to be victimized by the social engineering tactics.
• You Can Also Read: Notorious Russian Hacker Behind Hive and LockBit Ransomware Arrested
• Regular Software Updates and Patching: Occurrences of MSC files may be exploited by cybercriminals when old software contains vulnerabilities that enable delivery of a malicious file. Organizations can lower the risk of attack by making sure that all of the software that they use — operating systems, security programs, scanners — are up to date. But there is always one step that is lacking between most security strategies: regular patching. This is good, but it is an indispensable part of any overall cybersecurity strategy.
• Use Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Tools: The endpoint level of attack detections and threat responses is made possible by EDR tools, which bring visibility into potential attacks. Using these tools, these obfuscated backdoors can be analyzed for file behavior and network traffic to prevent them from wreaking so much havoc before they get a chance to do so.
• Network Segmentation and Least Privilege Access: By breaking networks into segments and applying the principle of least privilege, if an MSC file-based attack is successful then it can only do so much damage. No matter how much an attacker has access of one part of the network, network segmentation acts as a shielding action against the attack spread.

Conclusion

Stark reminder of how eCommerce-based cybercriminals attempt to exploit Microsoft MSC files to use them as distribution mechanism for obfuscated backdoors in Pakistan. Attacker can use legitimate files along with sophisticated obfuscation technique to bypass typical security defenses and achieve their malicious activities most of time without being detected. Organizations need to have a multi-layer security strategy in place to protect their organizations against these types of attack, and it involves advanced threat detection, user education and system monitor. While staying ahead of ever-changing threat landscape and maintaining proactive cybersecurity posture are essential against safeguarding sensitive data and critical infrastructure as the threat landscape continues to evolve.

SOME FAQ’S ON MICROSOFT MSC FILES

1.What is a .MSC file?

ANS: Originally a Microsoft Script Component file, which is used to automate a task or run a function when a user executes a script in Windows. Such files contain scripts that people often write in languages like Visual Basic and these files can be used for good intent, but they can also be used by hackers to deliver malware.

2.How can you open .MSC files?

ANS: Good, you can open .MSC files by typing in the file name in the Windows Run dialog (Win+R), or by the same file opening Microsoft Management Console (MMC), the main tool for manipulating of MSC files under Windows.

3.What are the meaning of MSC in Windows?

ANS: MSC is the abbreviation of Microsoft Script Component in Windows used to manage system settings and to automate administrative tasks. Typically, however, it’s a Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) framework piece.

4.What Windows folder does MSC files reside?

ANS: MSC files are generally stored in system directories like “C:A Path such as ‘\Windows\System32’ or within the Windows installation folder, and so on, from where it relates to a specific function or software.

5.Why is MSC on Windows Run?

ANS: MSC is used in Windows run to open up Microsoft Management console (MMC) which is a tool that helps you change the system settings, see the logs and can also help with administration work. For example, it is often used by the IT professional for local or remote computers management.

6.Where can you save MSC files properly?

ANS: User specific directories or the MSC file’s owning folder store MSC save files. The location, however, may be exact or based on a script’s purpose and settings.

7.Why Are MSC Files A Security Risk?

ANS: Because hackers can use them to place malware or backdoors, MSC files are a security risk. MSV is a popular tool used during cyber attacks for its ability to open from an untrusted source, bypassing security defenses and making them, in turn, a popular format for attacking files.

I’m also on Facebook,, Instagram, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and Threads for more updates and conversations.