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Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-clock.svg) 4 min read Related Products [![Advanced WildFire icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/strata_RGB_logo_Icon_Color.png)Advanced WildFire](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/product-category/advanced-wildfire/ "Advanced WildFire") * ![Profile Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-profile-grey.svg) By: * [Brandon Levene](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/author/brandon-levene/) * [Tyler Halfpop](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/author/tyler-halfpop/) * [Juan Cortes](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/author/juan-cortes/) * ![Published Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-calendar-grey.svg) Published:November 20, 2015 * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-category.svg) Categories: * [Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/malware/) * [Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-tags-grey.svg) Tags: * [Upatre](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/upatre/) * [Windows](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/windows/) * [Windows 7](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/windows-7/) * [ZwQuerySystemInformation](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/zwquerysysteminformation/) * [![Download Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-download.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/upatre-old-dog-new-anti-analysis-tricks/?pdf=download&lg=en&_wpnonce=c280d701ab "Click here to download") * [![Print 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Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-reddit-share.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com//www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fupatre-old-dog-new-anti-analysis-tricks%2F&ts=markdown "Share in Reddit") * [![Mastodon Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-mastodon-share.svg)](https://mastodon.social/share?text=Upatre:%20Old%20Dog,%20New%20%5BAnti-Analysis%5D%20Tricks%20https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fupatre-old-dog-new-anti-analysis-tricks%2F "Share in Mastodon") Malware authors must constantly iterate on their techniques in order to stay relevant in today's fast moving Information Security environment. The [Upatre](https://www.secureworks.com/cyber-threat-intelligence/threats/analyzing-upatre-downloader/) downloader has been around for nearly three years and has consistently evolved its [anti-analysis capabilities](https://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/2015/10/ticked-off-upatre-malwares-simple-anti-analysis-trick-to-defeat-sandboxes/) to better ensure payload delivery. Using Palo Alto Networks AutoFocus, we identified several thousand functionally identical Upatre binaries with unique hashes that exhibited unusual anti-analysis behaviors. We dove into the most recent phishing campaign to identify the new anti-analysis routines designed to maneuver around behavioral analysis systems. # Diving In Upatre's new technique takes advantage of undocumented NtQuerySystemInformation structures. It attempts to call the ZwQuerySystemInformation API a few times to determine the idle time of the system. The ZwQuerySystemInformation API takes a SYSTEM\_INFORMATION\_CLASS as an argument for what to query. There are several options to query for, all with respective structures. [![Upatre1](http://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Upatre1-500x134.png)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Upatre1.png) ZwQuerySystemInformation Function Specification Upatre first calls ZwQuerySystemInformation querying for the SYSTEM\_PROCESSOR\_PERFORMANCE\_INFORMATION with a value of 0x0008. [![upatre2](http://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/upatre2-500x238.png)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/upatre2.png) SYSTEM\_PROCESSOR\_PERFORMANCE\_INFORMATION Struct [![upatre3](http://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/upatre3-500x493.png)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/upatre3.png) Screenshot Showing Upatre's Anti-Analysis Technique in Assembly The first call returns 0xC0000004 for STATUS\_INFO\_LENGTH\_MISMATCH. On Windows 7 this successfully returns the size of the buffer required for the structure on the top of the stack. On Windows XP it returns 0 on the top of the stack for the ReturnLength. Upatre checks the ReturnLength by performing a shift-right by 2 and testing if the resulting value is 0. [![upatre4](http://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/upatre4-500x174.png)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/upatre4.png) Windows 7 returning the ReturnLength on the top of the stack On Windows 7 Upatre calls ZwQuerySystemInformation again with the same SYSTEM\_INFORMATION\_CLASS 0x0008 and including the appropriate parameters to receive the structure into a buffer. If the function fails, Upatre exits. [![upatre5](http://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/upatre5-500x241.png)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/upatre5.png) Windows 7 Second Call to ZwQuerySystemInformation Upatre then checks the second dword of the IdleTime to see if it is above 1 and if it is not, it exits. This value is the processor's "total idle time, measured in units of 100-nanoseconds"\[1\] This check is designed to make sure that the system Upatre is running on has had a sufficient amount of idle time like a real system might have and not an analysis system. [![upatre6](http://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/upatre6-500x379.png)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/upatre6.png) Windows7 Comparing IdleTime to 1 On Windows XP Upatre uses a different SYSTEM\_INFORMATION\_CLASS for the second call. It queries for the SYSTEM\_PERFORMANCE\_INFORMATION with a value of 0x0002 and tests to make sure the API successfully completed. If it doesn't complete, Upatre exits. [![upatre7](http://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/upatre7-500x194.png)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/upatre7.png) Upatre Querying ZwQuerySystemInformation for SYSTEM\_PERFORMANCE\_INFORMATION on WindowsXP The SystemPerformanceInformation is an undocumented structure, but thanks to [Matt Graeber's research](https://www.exploit-monday.com/2013/06/undocumented-ntquerysysteminformation.html) we can see that it holds the following information: [![upatre8](http://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/upatre8-500x161.png)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/upatre8.png) Snippet of SYSTEM\_PERFORMANCE\_INFORMATION Struct Upatre checks the second dword of idleProcessTime to make sure that the IdleProcessTime is above 2. Example Sample: *9eadcc852b87429dfb8c7e61da7951a8fb8c28eb88ec91d90eea290248747dff* # Conclusion Each of the techniques described above attempts to identify hosts which exhibit evidence of being part of a malware analysis system. WildFire, the Palo Alto Networks behavioral analysis system identifies these techniques and properly executes the malware to determine a malicious verdict. Upatre continues to be distributed through mass phishing campaigns and relies heavily upon social engineering tactics to fool users into opening malicious attachments. Users should always be suspicious of all e-mail attachments, but especially those that they have received from senders they do not regularly communicate with. [![upatre9](http://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/upatre9-500x342.png)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/upatre9.png) November 16th Phishing Campaign: the subject and filename of this campaign were unique per recipient. # Indicators **Related Hashes** 9eadcc852b87429dfb8c7e61da7951a8fb8c28eb88ec91d90eea290248747dff 6fea45fbc2590105b3a9e97a966e7c5928d5ce3e72c63ce3d9b187b79ea25baa **Upatre Command and Control Servers** 109\.196.1.13:4443 109\.205.116.174:443 132\.255.212.105:443 134\.249.180.41:4443 141\.105.69.251:443 150\.129.49.11:443 162\.243.249.68:443 172\.242.228.68:4443 173\.185.166.94:4443 173\.252.50.124:4443 173\.45.239.194:443 176\.105.101.194:4443 176\.106.122.32:443 176\.97.40.144:443 181\.174.76.17:4443 185\.46.217.70:443 185\.49.68.104:443 185\.49.68.129:443 185\.66.9.108:443 185\.66.9.141:443 185\.66.9.225:443 190\.104.167.234:4443 190\.95.138.66:443 193\.151.240.79:4443 193\.189.77.76:443 195\.206.60.33:443 197\.155.67.190:443 197\.254.104.166:4443 203\.183.172.196:3478 212\.182.101.2:4443 217\.17.108.47:4443 37\.1.200.112:443 41\.215.182.109:443 41\.75.67.80:443 46\.44.28.44:443 5\.149.251.162:443 5\.152.196.217:443 54\.84.208.13:443 78\.58.131.116:443 78\.83.226.74:443 82\.103.71.149:4443 83\.241.176.230:4443 85\.25.217.30:443 91\.191.48.38:443 91\.192.131.229:443 91\.203.62.195:4443 \-- \[1\] Nebbett, G. (2000). Windows NT/2000 native API reference. Indianapolis, IN: Macmillan Technical Pub. Back to top ### Tags * [Upatre](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/upatre/ "Upatre") * [Windows](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/windows/ "Windows") * [Windows 7](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/windows-7/ "Windows 7") * [ZwQuerySystemInformation](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/zwquerysysteminformation/ "ZwQuerySystemInformation") [Threat Research Center](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com "Threat Research") [Next: TDrop2 Attacks Suggest Dark Seoul Attackers Return](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tdrop2-attacks-suggest-dark-seoul-attackers-return/ "TDrop2 Attacks Suggest Dark Seoul Attackers Return") ### Related Articles * [01flip: Multi-Platform Ransomware Written in Rust](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/new-ransomware-01flip-written-in-rust/ "article - table of contents") * [You Thought It Was Over? 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A digital image of a skull formed by blue binary code on a black background, with scattered ones and zeros and digital noise, symbolizes how stealthy prompt injection attacks can exploit AI logic to bypass security controls.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/01_Malware_Category_1920x900-5-786x368.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 31, 2026 [#### Spring Ring: An Inside Look at Voice Phishing Campaigns in Microsoft Teams](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/spring-ring-voice-phishing-campaigns/) * [Cloaked Ursa](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cloaked-ursa/ "Cloaked Ursa") * [Entra ID](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/entra-id/ "Entra ID") * [Microsoft Teams](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/microsoft-teams/ "Microsoft Teams") [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/spring-ring-voice-phishing-campaigns/ "Spring Ring: An Inside Look at Voice Phishing Campaigns in Microsoft Teams") ![Pictorial representation of AI-enabled malware. A vibrant digital interface displaying various icons and graphs, resembling a futuristic network or data analysis dashboard. 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Close-up view of a digital screen displaying a glitched and pixelated image of a skull-like shape.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/02_Malware_Category_1920x900-2-786x368.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 20, 2026 [#### Identity Abuse Through Trusted Communication Channels](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/communication-channel-identity-risks/) * [Authentication](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/authentication/ "authentication") * [Identity theft](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/identity-theft/ "identity theft") * [Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/malware/ "malware") [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/communication-channel-identity-risks/ "Identity Abuse Through Trusted Communication Channels") ![Pictorial representation of Kimwolf botnet malware family. Digital screen with a warning sign reading "Malware." 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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. 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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") ![Pictorial representation of malware bypassing DNS and communicating directly to IP addresses. Futuristic digital cityscape with glowing blue and orange geometric structures, resembling skyscrapers.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/07_DNS_Overview_1920x900-786x368.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 4, 2026 [#### Almost Half of Malware Samples Communicate Direct to IP](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/malware-bypass-dns-direct-to-ip/) * [Command and Control](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/command-and-control/ "Command and Control") * [D2IP](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/d2ip/ "D2IP") * [Exfiltration](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/exfiltration/ "exfiltration") [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/malware-bypass-dns-direct-to-ip/ "Almost Half of Malware Samples Communicate Direct to IP") * ![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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