Expanding Response: Deeper Analysis for Incident Handlers

To achieve my GCIH Gold, I recently completed a paper called Expanding Response: Deeper Analysis for Incident Handlers, now available in the SANS Reading Room. The premise was to further expand on the topics discussed in my Malware analysis tools post. This paper includes tools discussed at various times in my toolsmith column in the ISSA Journal, and includes details on Argus, HeX, NSM-Console, and NetworkMiner.

Abstract:
"The perspective embraced for this discussion is that of an analyst who is working a process to determine the exact nature of malicious software on his network. He is in receipt of the above mentioned .exe and .pcap files and seeks to further his understanding with the use of less typical tools. She begins the process with the network capture, and then takes a closer look at the binary to see what can be learned and what the impacts of an outbreak on her network might be."

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EstDomains & Intercage: A Perfect Couple in Crime

If you track malware issues as readily as I do, you're likely aware of the failings of clownpacks like EstDomains and their hosting buddies Atrivo/Intercage. You need only follow Sunbelt's take on the topic, or search Emergingthreats to come up to speed.
Yesterday, EstDomains posted the most inept, ridiculous response ever issued to the endless and worthy criticism, largely leveled by Brian Krebs at the Washington Post.
Not only can't these morons from EstDomains write, they're either so deeply clueless or flagrantly malicious (likely both), it's beyond laughable. This section sums it up best:
"The company also has a reliable ally in its battle against malware in a face of Intercage, Inc which provides company with the hosting services of the highest quality. But the outstanding performance of hosting services is not the sole reason why EstDomains, Inc appreciates this partnership so greatly. Intercage, Inc generously provides EstDomains, Inc specialists with reports regarding discovered malware vehicles. As the main database for additional domain name management services is located in Intercage Data Center, EstDomains, Inc has the perfect opportunity to get notifications of the slightest mark of malware presence in the shortest time and take measures in advance."
What? Really?
Again, aside from the absolute butchery of the language, did they just say "The company also has a reliable ally in its battle against malware in a face of Intercage, Inc which provides company with the hosting services of the highest quality."? SIGH...yes, they did.

Allow me to exemplify just how ridiculous a claim that is.
Following is content from a packet capture I took during a recent Storm worm analysis.

Using the ip2asn module included in NSM-console availabe in HeX, we find:
27595 | 216.255.189.211 | INTERCAGE - InterCage, Inc.

Using Etherape, also included in HeX, we see:



Using Eric Hjelmvik's NetworkMiner, we see:



See the recurring theme? Intercage, EstDomain's "reliable ally in its battle against malware".
Nice work, guys...keep it up.

I'm submitting this to The Daily WTF as we speak.

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