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YARA · Signature Base (Florian Roth / Nextron)

SIGNATURE_BASE_APT_CN_Twistedpanda_SPINNER_1

Detects the obfuscated variant of SPINNER payload used by TwistedPanda

APT / threat actorSignature Base (Florian Roth / Nextron)Detection Rule License 1.1Compiles with YARA-X
Author
Check Point Research
Date
2022-04-14
Modified
2025-07-01
Score / Quality
80 / 85

What this rule detects

Detects the obfuscated variant of SPINNER payload used by TwistedPanda

Targets: Windows PE.

It defines 5 patterns (0 text, 5 hex, 0 regex).

Summary generated from the rule's metadata and condition.

Rule source

Download .yar
apt-cn-twistedpanda-spinner-1.yarDetection Rule License 1.1
rule SIGNATURE_BASE_APT_CN_Twistedpanda_SPINNER_1 : FILE
{
	meta:
		description = "Detects the obfuscated variant of SPINNER payload used by TwistedPanda"
		author = "Check Point Research"
		id = "0b44013d-0caa-5ea2-ab08-e2a6a5732c03"
		date = "2022-04-14"
		modified = "2025-07-01"
		reference = "https://research.checkpoint.com/2022/twisted-panda-chinese-apt-espionage-operation-against-russians-state-owned-defense-institutes/"
		source_url = "https://github.com/Neo23x0/signature-base/blob/94a1c48d7ab499879287ff611dfe7f9c56376030/yara/apt_cn_twisted_panda.yar#L46-L80"
		license_url = "https://github.com/Neo23x0/signature-base/blob/94a1c48d7ab499879287ff611dfe7f9c56376030/LICENSE"
		hash = "a9fb7bb40de8508606a318866e0e5ff79b98f314e782f26c7044622939dfde81"
		logic_hash = "e7abe4b3f4225596131882a9175f9ac2e45ba00557950772a8e4d1eaeab97d05"
		score = 80
		quality = 85
		tags = "FILE"

	strings:
		$config_init = { C7 ?? ?? ?? 00 00 00 C7 ?? ?? ?? 00 00 00 C6 }
		$c2_cmd_1 = { 01 00 03 10}
		$c2_cmd_2 = { 02 00 01 10}
		$c2_cmd_3 = { 01 00 01 10}
		$decryption = { 8D 83 [4] 80 B3 [5] 89 F1 6A 01 50 E8 [4] 80 B3 }

	condition:
		uint16( 0 ) == 0x5A4D and uint32( uint32( 0x3C ) ) == 0x00004550 and filesize < 3000KB and #config_init > 10 and 2 of ( $c2_cmd_* ) and $decryption
}

Strings (5 patterns)

IdentifierTypeValueModifiers
$config_inithex{ C7 ?? ?? ?? 00 00 00 C7 ?? ?? ?? 00 00 00 C6 }
$c2_cmd_1hex{ 01 00 03 10}
$c2_cmd_2hex{ 02 00 01 10}
$c2_cmd_3hex{ 01 00 01 10}
$decryptionhex{ 8D 83 [4] 80 B3 [5] 89 F1 6A 01 50 E8 [4] 80 B3 }

Condition

uint16( 0 ) == 0x5A4D and uint32( uint32( 0x3C ) ) == 0x00004550 and filesize < 3000KB and #config_init > 10 and 2 of ( $c2_cmd_* ) and $decryption

In plain words (Heuristic)

  • The file must start with “MZ” — a Windows executable (PE).
  • The file must be smaller than 3000KB (a cheap guard that skips large files).
  • At least 2 patterns in ( $c2_cmd_* ) must match.
  • Pattern $config_init must occur > 10 times.
  • Pattern $decryption must be present.

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References

Sample hashes

Hashes of samples the author lists in the rule's meta (look them up in your threat-intelligence platform).

  • a9fb7bb40de8508606a318866e0e5ff79b98f314e782f26c7044622939dfde81

Licence & attribution

Author: Check Point Research

Source repository: Signature Base (Florian Roth / Nextron) @ 94a1c48d7a

Licence: Detection Rule License 1.1 (repository licence)

Original rule

Mirrored via YARA Forge 20260927, which prefixes rule names with the source and adds normalised meta fields.

Rule id: 0b44013d-0caa-5ea2-ab08-e2a6a5732c03

Tags:FILE

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