Unpacking APT38: Static and Dynamic Analysis of Lazarus Group Malware
2025-04-13 • Dion Alexander •
The Medium analysis examines a Windows 64-bit sample named 875b0cbad25e04a255b13f86ba361b58453b6f3c5cc11aca2db573c656e64e24.exe that the author treats as potentially linked to Lazarus/APT38 based partly on sandbox labels and observed behavior. Static findings include high entropy suggesting packing or encryption, suspicious entry point instructions, persistence-related registry paths, process creation, file writes, VirtualAlloc, and a hardcoded URL listed as possible C2 or payload delivery. Dynamic testing in ANY.RUN and Hybrid Analysis reportedly showed registry modification, process activity, network connections, DNS and HTTP traffic, and possible remote-control or exfiltration behavior. Attribution is not independently proven in the excerpt, so defenders should treat the hashes, strings, PCAP-derived network indicators, and behavior notes as leads for detection rather than confirmed Lazarus tradecraft.
Indicators of Compromise
| Type | Value | First Seen | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| HASH | 15dc6a28b875b4706bcc0db4a026aeb0 | 2025-04-13 | 2025-05-19 |
| HASH | 875b0cbad25e04a255b13f86ba361b5… | 2025-04-13 | 2025-04-13 |
| URL | http://malicious-site.com/updat… | 2025-04-13 | 2025-04-13 |
| DOMAIN | malicious-site.com | 2025-04-13 | 2025-04-13 |
| URL | http://www.addfriend.kr/board/u… | 2025-02-13 | 2025-04-13 |
| IPv4 | 211.239.117.117 | 2025-02-13 | 2025-04-13 |