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YARA · Signature Base (Florian Roth / Nextron)

SIGNATURE_BASE_APT_CN_Twistedpanda_SPINNER_2

Detects an older 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 an older variant of SPINNER payload used by TwistedPanda

Targets: Windows PE.

It defines 7 patterns (0 text, 7 hex, 0 regex).

Summary generated from the rule's metadata and condition.

Rule source

Download .yar
apt-cn-twistedpanda-spinner-2.yarDetection Rule License 1.1
rule SIGNATURE_BASE_APT_CN_Twistedpanda_SPINNER_2 : FILE
{
	meta:
		description = "Detects an older variant of SPINNER payload used by TwistedPanda"
		author = "Check Point Research"
		id = "bbbf3af1-127f-5d32-967f-bdb94311d1d6"
		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#L82-L118"
		license_url = "https://github.com/Neo23x0/signature-base/blob/94a1c48d7ab499879287ff611dfe7f9c56376030/LICENSE"
		hash = "28ecd1127bac08759d018787484b1bd16213809a2cc414514dc1ea87eb4c5ab8"
		logic_hash = "d1e34903e58fb76671a076acbb9f26e10d511c8f00be90b4901d61b73b90a9a7"
		score = 80
		quality = 85
		tags = "FILE"

	strings:
		$config_init = { C7 [3] 00 00 00 C7 [3] 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 }
		$c2_cmd_4 = { 01 00 00 10 }
		$c2_cmd_5 = { 02 00 00 10 }
		$decryption = { 80 B3 [5] 8D BB [4] 8B 56 14 8B C2 8B 4E 10 2B C1 83 F8 01 }

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

Strings (7 patterns)

IdentifierTypeValueModifiers
$config_inithex{ C7 [3] 00 00 00 C7 [3] 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 }
$c2_cmd_4hex{ 01 00 00 10 }
$c2_cmd_5hex{ 02 00 00 10 }
$decryptionhex{ 80 B3 [5] 8D BB [4] 8B 56 14 8B C2 8B 4E 10 2B C1 83 F8 01 }

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).

  • 28ecd1127bac08759d018787484b1bd16213809a2cc414514dc1ea87eb4c5ab8

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: bbbf3af1-127f-5d32-967f-bdb94311d1d6

Tags:FILE

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