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**Executive Summary** Unit 42 recently observed a polyglot Microsoft Compiled HTML Help (CHM) file being employed in the infection process used by the information stealer IcedID. We will show how to analyze the polyglot CHM file and the final payload so you can understand how the sample evades detection. Multiple attack groups such as Starchy Taurus (aka [APT41](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/apt41-using-new-speculoos-backdoor-to-target-organizations-globally/)) and Evasive Serpens (formerly tracked as [OilRig](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/the-oilrig-campaign-attacks-on-saudi-arabian-organizations-deliver-helminth-backdoor/), also known as Europium) have abused CHM files to conceal payloads written using PowerShell or JavaScript. Here, we describe an interesting attack that allows attackers to avoid the need for long lines of code, which can make it easier for malicious files to evade detection by security products. [Polyglot files]() can be abused by attackers to hide from anti-malware systems that rely on file format identification. The technique involves executing the same CHM file twice in the infection process. The first execution exhibits benign activities, while the second execution stealthily carries out malicious behaviors. This [particular attack chain](https://twitter.com/Unit42_Intel/status/1557009330762809348) was discovered in early August 2022 and delivered IcedID, also known as Bokbot, as the final payload. This information stealer, [IcedID](https://malpedia.caad.fkie.fraunhofer.de/details/win.icedid), is well-known malware that has been attacking users since [2019](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/atoms/monsterlibra/). Palo Alto Networks customers receive protections from malware families using similar anti-analysis techniques with [Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr) or the [Next-Generation Firewall](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/next-generation-firewall) with [cloud-delivered security services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/security-subscriptions) including [WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/wildfire), [Advanced Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-threat-prevention), [Advanced URL Filtering](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-url-filtering) and [DNS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/dns-security). |------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Related Unit 42 Topics | [Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/malware-2/), [IcedID](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/icedid/), [Evasion](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/evasion/) | ## **Malicious Polyglot CHM File** Polyglot files are binaries that have multiple different file format types. The file would have a different behavior depending on the application that was used to execute it. The [attack](https://twitter.com/Unit42_Intel/status/1557009330762809348) that was discovered in early August 2022 starts with a phishing email that includes an attached zip file named erosstrucking-file-08.08.2022.zip. The zip file decompresses into an ISO image file named order-130722.28554.iso. Inside the ISO file is a CHM file called pss10r.chm (SHA256: 3d279aa8f56e468a014a916362540975958b9e9172d658eb57065a8a230632fa). The polyglot CHM file is used to display help documentation. When the user launches the CHM file (pss10r.chm\*)\*, a harmless help window is displayed. ![Decoy HTML help window appears to contain a message from Microsoft Customer Service and Support as shown.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/word-image-71.png) Figure 1. Decoy HTML help window. To dump the contents of the CHM file, we used 7zip. The file of interest is PSSXMicrosoftSupportServices\_HP05221271.htm. ![Contents of the decoy HTML help window include PSSXMicrosoftSupportServices\_HP05221271.htm, the file of interest.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/word-image-72.png) Figure 2. Contents of the decoy HTML help window. Most of the code in the HTML file is used for generating the decoy window. However, concealed within the HTML code is a single-line command to execute the same CHM file again. The command calls Mshta.exe to execute itself (pss10r.chm) a second time. Mshta.exe is a utility that executes Microsoft HTML Application (HTA) files. HTAs are full-fledged applications created using HTML. ![The line shown calls mshta to execute pss10r.chm a second time.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/image3-HTMLcode.jpg) Figure 3. A line of HTML code in PSSXMicrosoftSupportServices\_HP05221271.htm that calls Mshta.exe to execute the CHM file a second time. The code of the HTA is buried within the binary of the CHM file and configured to be invisible to the victim during execution. The HTA is used to execute the binary app.dll. ![A screenshot showing the HTA code buried in pss10r.chm. This is used to execute the binary app.dll](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/word-image-74.png) Figure 4. HTA code buried in pss10r.chm. The binary app.dll is actually hidden within the ISO image. The hidden binary can be revealed using the attrib command. ![The screenshot shows how the attrib command reveals the hidden binary](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/word-image-75.png) Figure 5. Revealing the hidden binary. The *app.dll*binary is a 64-bit IcedID DLL. (SHA256: d240bd25a0516bf1a6f6b3f080b8d649ed2b116c145dd919f65c05d20fc73131) ## **IcedID DLL's Configuration Extraction** To retrieve the indicators of compromise (IoCs) from the IcedID DLL, we looked at its configuration. The IcedID DLL's configuration is encoded and stored in the data section of the binary. The encoded configuration has the format shown in Figure 6. ![Encoded configuration of the IcedID DLL.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/word-image-76.png) Figure 6. Structure of encoded configuration blob. The following function would decode the IcedID DLL's configuration at runtime. The address of the encoded configuration (enc\_config) is in the function. ![IcedID DLL's configuration decoder function.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/word-image-77.png) Figure 7. IcedID DLL's configuration decoder function. The decoded IcedID DLL's configuration has the following format. ![Structure of decoded IcedID configuration.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/word-image-78.png) Figure 8. Structure of decoded IcedID configuration. From the decoded configuration, we can extract the following IoCs: |-------------------------|---------------------| | Command and Control URL | abegelkunic\[.\]com | | Campaign ID | 4157420015 | ## **Conclusion** Threat actors continue to evolve their techniques to evade detection. The above analysis demonstrates how attackers abused a polyglot Microsoft Compiled HTML file to deliver an IcedID payload. It is important for defenders not to trust binaries based on their file types since polyglot files such as the one discussed here have more than one correct file type. Palo Alto Networks customers receive protections from malware families using similar anti-analysis techniques with [Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr) or the [Next-Generation Firewall](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/next-generation-firewall) with [cloud-delivered security services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/security-subscriptions) including [WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/wildfire), [Advanced Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-threat-prevention), [Advanced URL Filtering](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-url-filtering) and [DNS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/dns-security). ## Indicators of Compromise File name: erosstrucking-file-08.08.2022.zip SHA256: fb6d23f69d14d474ce096da4dcfea27a84c93f42c96f6dd8295d33ef2845b6c7 File name: order-130722.28554.iso SHA256: d403df3fb181560d6ebf4885b538c5af86e718fecfabc73219b64924d74dd0eb File name: pss10r.chm SHA256: 3d279aa8f56e468a014a916362540975958b9e9172d658eb57065a8a230632fa File name: app.dll SHA256: d240bd25a0516bf1a6f6b3f080b8d649ed2b116c145dd919f65c05d20fc73131 Command and Control URL: abegelkunic\[.\]com ## Additional Resources [Harmful Help: Analyzing a Malicious Compiled HTML Help File Delivering Agent Tesla](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/malicious-compiled-html-help-file-agent-tesla/) Back to top ### Tags * [Analysis](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/analysis/ "Analysis") * [Evasion](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/evasion/ "Evasion") * [IcedID](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/icedid/ "IcedID") [Threat Research Center](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com "Threat Research") [Next: Hunting for Unsigned DLLs to Find APTs](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/unsigned-dlls/ "Hunting for Unsigned DLLs to Find APTs") ### Table of Contents * ### Related Articles * [Open, Closed and Broken: Prompt Fuzzing Finds LLMs Still Fragile Across Open and Closed Models](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/genai-llm-prompt-fuzzing/ "article - table of contents") * [LDAP Enumeration: Unveiling the Double-Edged Sword of Active Directory](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/lightweight-directory-access-protocol-based-attacks/ "article - table of contents") * [No Way to Hide: Uncovering New Campaigns from Daily Tunneling Detection](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/detecting-dns-tunneling-campaigns/ "article - table of contents") ## Related Malware Resources ![Pictorial representation of post-exploitation identity misuse in SPIFFE/SPIRE. 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The background features lines of computer code and graphics, creating a sense of cybersecurity threat.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/07_Malware_Category_1920x900-3-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 11, 2026 [#### Kimwolf v7: An Evolution of the Kimwolf Botnet](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/kimwolf-v7-botnet-malware/) * [Android APK](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/android-apk/ "Android APK") * [Ethereum](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ethereum/ "Ethereum") * [HTTP](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/http/ "HTTP") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/kimwolf-v7-botnet-malware/ "Kimwolf v7: An Evolution of the Kimwolf Botnet") ![Pictorial representatiom pf Aeternum's blockchain C2. A close-up of a computer circuit board with a central microchip is depicted. Red digital data streams in the form of glowing binary numbers and arrows appear to flow in and out of the chip. The scene is illuminated with a futuristic blue and red glow.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/04_Malware_Category_1920x900-4-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 10, 2026 [#### The Permanent Threat: Analyzing Aeternum's Blockchain-Based C2 Operations and Communications](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/aeternum-blockchain-c2-analysis/) * [Aeternum](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/aeternum/ "Aeternum") * [Infection chain](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/infection-chain/ "infection chain") * [JSON](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/json/ "JSON") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/aeternum-blockchain-c2-analysis/ "The Permanent Threat: Analyzing Aeternum’s Blockchain-Based C2 Operations and Communications") ![Pictorial representation of ChainDrop, a self-propagating npm worm. An artistic depiction of a digital workspace featuring an open laptop with a red virus on the screen.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/03_Malware_Category_1920x900-7-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/top-threats.svg)High Profile Threats](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/top-cyberthreats/) August 6, 2026 [#### ChainDrop: Inside a Self-Propagating npm Worm](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/chaindrop-npm-worm-analysis/) * [Blockchain](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/blockchain/ "blockchain") * [ChainDrop](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/chaindrop/ "ChainDrop") * [Claude code](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/claude-code/ "Claude code") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/chaindrop-npm-worm-analysis/ "ChainDrop: Inside a Self-Propagating npm Worm") ![Pictorial representation of Token-jacking. A person types on a laptop with multiple digital interface elements projected, including an "AI" icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AdobeStock_1246251272-2-786x369.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 6, 2026 [#### Token Jacking: Cybercriminals Could Be Stealing Your AI Resources](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-token-jacking/) * [AI API](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ai-api/ "AI API") * [AI gateway](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ai-gateway/ "AI gateway") * [API keys](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/api-keys/ "API keys") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-token-jacking/ "Token Jacking: Cybercriminals Could Be Stealing Your AI Resources") * ![Slider arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/slider-arrow-left.svg) * ![Slider arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/slider-arrow-left.svg) ![Close button](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/close-modal.svg) ![Enlarged Image]() ![Newsletter](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/unit42-footer-subscribe-desktop.png) ![UNIT 42 Small Logo](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/palo-alto-logo-small.svg) Get updates from Unit 42 ## Peace of mind comes from staying ahead of threats. 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