| URL: | https://links.cision.one/topicsarena-20250328-G7x3avNIe07s8UWhY6jPVFoc5lRKdq?keywords%5B%5D=SSD&keywords%5B%5D=cloud |
| Full analysis: | https://app.any.run/tasks/e4236969-5334-4ac4-942b-0654b3592ffd |
| Verdict: | Malicious activity |
| Threats: | Balada Injector is a long-running malware campaign that targets WordPress websites by exploiting vulnerabilities in plugins and themes. The attackers inject malicious code into compromised sites, leading to unauthorized redirects, data theft, and the creation of [backdoors](https://any.run/malware-trends/backdoor) for persistent access. The campaign operates in waves, with spikes in activity observed every few weeks, continually adapting to exploit newly discovered vulnerabilities. |
| Analysis date: | March 28, 2025, 14:51:38 |
| OS: | Windows 10 Professional (build: 19044, 64 bit) |
| Tags: | |
| Indicators: | |
| MD5: | 922F72C69405E6AC8F86C5CBAC5EDBCF |
| SHA1: | 242E3173E92F2447F054F6A983B63E4A88B577C3 |
| SHA256: | C0B386BC6D3C9A7910257A8EC93A536B85383A81483ED9DFABFED4C67903E40B |
| SSDEEP: | 3:N8MLt+Cz0MGDQLBVwWp4Fb8pPdQdJqnAzJjxnAQJ1:2MR+CzvLBB4Yh+JqGJjxHf |
PID | CMD | Path | Indicators | Parent process | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 632 | "BackgroundTransferHost.exe" -ServerName:BackgroundTransferHost.1 | C:\Windows\System32\BackgroundTransferHost.exe | svchost.exe | ||||||||||||
User: admin Company: Microsoft Corporation Integrity Level: MEDIUM Description: Download/Upload Host Exit code: 1 Version: 10.0.19041.3636 (WinBuild.160101.0800) Modules
| |||||||||||||||
| 3176 | "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --type=crashpad-handler "--user-data-dir=C:\Users\admin\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data" /prefetch:4 --monitor-self-annotation=ptype=crashpad-handler "--database=C:\Users\admin\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Crashpad" --url=https://clients2.google.com/cr/report --annotation=channel= --annotation=plat=Win64 --annotation=prod=Chrome --annotation=ver=122.0.6261.70 --initial-client-data=0x230,0x234,0x238,0x204,0x23c,0x7ffc8837dc40,0x7ffc8837dc4c,0x7ffc8837dc58 | C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe | — | chrome.exe | |||||||||||
User: admin Company: Google LLC Integrity Level: MEDIUM Description: Google Chrome Version: 122.0.6261.70 Modules
| |||||||||||||||
| 3272 | "BackgroundTransferHost.exe" -ServerName:BackgroundTransferHost.1 | C:\Windows\System32\BackgroundTransferHost.exe | — | svchost.exe | |||||||||||
User: admin Company: Microsoft Corporation Integrity Level: MEDIUM Description: Download/Upload Host Exit code: 1 Version: 10.0.19041.3636 (WinBuild.160101.0800) Modules
| |||||||||||||||
| 3304 | "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --disk-cache-dir=null --disk-cache-size=1 --media-cache-size=1 --disable-gpu-shader-disk-cache --disable-background-networking --disable-features=OptimizationGuideModelDownloading,OptimizationHintsFetching,OptimizationTargetPrediction,OptimizationHints "https://links.cision.one/topicsarena-20250328-G7x3avNIe07s8UWhY6jPVFoc5lRKdq?keywords%5B%5D=SSD&keywords%5B%5D=cloud" | C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe | explorer.exe | ||||||||||||
User: admin Company: Google LLC Integrity Level: MEDIUM Description: Google Chrome Version: 122.0.6261.70 Modules
| |||||||||||||||
| 5324 | "BackgroundTransferHost.exe" -ServerName:BackgroundTransferHost.1 | C:\Windows\System32\BackgroundTransferHost.exe | — | svchost.exe | |||||||||||
User: admin Company: Microsoft Corporation Integrity Level: MEDIUM Description: Download/Upload Host Exit code: 1 Version: 10.0.19041.3636 (WinBuild.160101.0800) Modules
| |||||||||||||||
| 7236 | "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --type=utility --utility-sub-type=chrome.mojom.ProcessorMetrics --lang=en-US --service-sandbox-type=none --disable-quic --no-appcompat-clear --mojo-platform-channel-handle=5240 --field-trial-handle=1836,i,3906033187493681703,10118296005048935696,262144 --disable-features=OptimizationGuideModelDownloading,OptimizationHints,OptimizationHintsFetching,OptimizationTargetPrediction --variations-seed-version /prefetch:8 | C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe | — | chrome.exe | |||||||||||
User: admin Company: Google LLC Integrity Level: MEDIUM Description: Google Chrome Exit code: 0 Version: 122.0.6261.70 Modules
| |||||||||||||||
| 7292 | "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --type=gpu-process --no-appcompat-clear --gpu-preferences=WAAAAAAAAADgABAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgAAAAAAA4AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGAAAAAAAAAAYAAAAAAAAAAgAAAAAAAAACAAAAAAAAAAIAAAAAAAAAA== --mojo-platform-channel-handle=1832 --field-trial-handle=1836,i,3906033187493681703,10118296005048935696,262144 --disable-features=OptimizationGuideModelDownloading,OptimizationHints,OptimizationHintsFetching,OptimizationTargetPrediction --variations-seed-version /prefetch:2 | C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe | — | chrome.exe | |||||||||||
User: admin Company: Google LLC Integrity Level: LOW Description: Google Chrome Version: 122.0.6261.70 Modules
| |||||||||||||||
| 7304 | "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --type=utility --utility-sub-type=network.mojom.NetworkService --lang=en-US --service-sandbox-type=none --disable-quic --no-appcompat-clear --mojo-platform-channel-handle=2120 --field-trial-handle=1836,i,3906033187493681703,10118296005048935696,262144 --disable-features=OptimizationGuideModelDownloading,OptimizationHints,OptimizationHintsFetching,OptimizationTargetPrediction --variations-seed-version /prefetch:3 | C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe | chrome.exe | ||||||||||||
User: admin Company: Google LLC Integrity Level: MEDIUM Description: Google Chrome Version: 122.0.6261.70 Modules
| |||||||||||||||
| 7316 | "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --type=utility --utility-sub-type=storage.mojom.StorageService --lang=en-US --service-sandbox-type=service --disable-quic --no-appcompat-clear --mojo-platform-channel-handle=2160 --field-trial-handle=1836,i,3906033187493681703,10118296005048935696,262144 --disable-features=OptimizationGuideModelDownloading,OptimizationHints,OptimizationHintsFetching,OptimizationTargetPrediction --variations-seed-version /prefetch:8 | C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe | — | chrome.exe | |||||||||||
User: admin Company: Google LLC Integrity Level: LOW Description: Google Chrome Version: 122.0.6261.70 Modules
| |||||||||||||||
| 7428 | "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --type=renderer --no-appcompat-clear --lang=en-US --device-scale-factor=1 --num-raster-threads=2 --enable-main-frame-before-activation --renderer-client-id=6 --mojo-platform-channel-handle=3060 --field-trial-handle=1836,i,3906033187493681703,10118296005048935696,262144 --disable-features=OptimizationGuideModelDownloading,OptimizationHints,OptimizationHintsFetching,OptimizationTargetPrediction --variations-seed-version /prefetch:1 | C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe | — | chrome.exe | |||||||||||
User: admin Company: Google LLC Integrity Level: LOW Description: Google Chrome Version: 122.0.6261.70 Modules
| |||||||||||||||
| (PID) Process: | (3304) chrome.exe | Key: | HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\BLBeacon |
| Operation: | write | Name: | failed_count |
Value: 0 | |||
| (PID) Process: | (3304) chrome.exe | Key: | HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\BLBeacon |
| Operation: | write | Name: | state |
Value: 2 | |||
| (PID) Process: | (3304) chrome.exe | Key: | HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\BLBeacon |
| Operation: | write | Name: | state |
Value: 1 | |||
| (PID) Process: | (3304) chrome.exe | Key: | HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\StabilityMetrics |
| Operation: | write | Name: | user_experience_metrics.stability.exited_cleanly |
Value: 0 | |||
| (PID) Process: | (3304) chrome.exe | Key: | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Google\Update\ClientStateMedium\{8A69D345-D564-463C-AFF1-A69D9E530F96} |
| Operation: | write | Name: | usagestats |
Value: 0 | |||
| (PID) Process: | (3272) BackgroundTransferHost.exe | Key: | HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.windows.contentdeliverymanager_cw5n1h2txyewy\Internet Settings\Cache\Content |
| Operation: | write | Name: | CachePrefix |
Value: | |||
| (PID) Process: | (3272) BackgroundTransferHost.exe | Key: | HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.windows.contentdeliverymanager_cw5n1h2txyewy\Internet Settings\Cache\Cookies |
| Operation: | write | Name: | CachePrefix |
Value: Cookie: | |||
| (PID) Process: | (3272) BackgroundTransferHost.exe | Key: | HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.windows.contentdeliverymanager_cw5n1h2txyewy\Internet Settings\Cache\History |
| Operation: | write | Name: | CachePrefix |
Value: Visited: | |||
| (PID) Process: | (632) BackgroundTransferHost.exe | Key: | HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.windows.contentdeliverymanager_cw5n1h2txyewy\Internet Settings\Cache\Content |
| Operation: | write | Name: | CachePrefix |
Value: | |||
| (PID) Process: | (632) BackgroundTransferHost.exe | Key: | HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.windows.contentdeliverymanager_cw5n1h2txyewy\Internet Settings\Cache\Cookies |
| Operation: | write | Name: | CachePrefix |
Value: Cookie: | |||
PID | Process | Filename | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3304 | chrome.exe | C:\Users\admin\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\PersistentOriginTrials\LOG.old~RF10d1e8.TMP | — | |
MD5:— | SHA256:— | |||
| 3304 | chrome.exe | C:\Users\admin\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\PersistentOriginTrials\LOG.old | — | |
MD5:— | SHA256:— | |||
| 3304 | chrome.exe | C:\Users\admin\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\discounts_db\LOG.old~RF10d1f8.TMP | — | |
MD5:— | SHA256:— | |||
| 3304 | chrome.exe | C:\Users\admin\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\discounts_db\LOG.old | — | |
MD5:— | SHA256:— | |||
| 3304 | chrome.exe | C:\Users\admin\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\chrome_cart_db\LOG.old~RF10d207.TMP | — | |
MD5:— | SHA256:— | |||
| 3304 | chrome.exe | C:\Users\admin\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\chrome_cart_db\LOG.old | — | |
MD5:— | SHA256:— | |||
| 3304 | chrome.exe | C:\Users\admin\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\coupon_db\LOG.old~RF10d207.TMP | — | |
MD5:— | SHA256:— | |||
| 3304 | chrome.exe | C:\Users\admin\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\coupon_db\LOG.old | — | |
MD5:— | SHA256:— | |||
| 3304 | chrome.exe | C:\Users\admin\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\commerce_subscription_db\LOG.old~RF10d1f8.TMP | — | |
MD5:— | SHA256:— | |||
| 3304 | chrome.exe | C:\Users\admin\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\parcel_tracking_db\LOG.old~RF10d207.TMP | — | |
MD5:— | SHA256:— | |||
PID | Process | Method | HTTP Code | IP | URL | CN | Type | Size | Reputation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
— | — | GET | 200 | 23.53.40.178:80 | http://crl.microsoft.com/pki/crl/products/MicRooCerAut2011_2011_03_22.crl | unknown | — | — | whitelisted |
7304 | chrome.exe | GET | 200 | 216.69.170.94:80 | http://anthemes.com/themes/tianlock/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img7.jpg | unknown | — | — | whitelisted |
7304 | chrome.exe | GET | 200 | 216.69.170.94:80 | http://anthemes.com/themes/tianlock/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img7.jpg | unknown | — | — | whitelisted |
6544 | svchost.exe | GET | 200 | 2.17.190.73:80 | http://ocsp.digicert.com/MFEwTzBNMEswSTAJBgUrDgMCGgUABBSAUQYBMq2awn1Rh6Doh%2FsBYgFV7gQUA95QNVbRTLtm8KPiGxvDl7I90VUCEAJ0LqoXyo4hxxe7H%2Fz9DKA%3D | unknown | — | — | whitelisted |
6132 | backgroundTaskHost.exe | GET | 200 | 2.17.190.73:80 | http://ocsp.digicert.com/MFEwTzBNMEswSTAJBgUrDgMCGgUABBQ50otx%2Fh0Ztl%2Bz8SiPI7wEWVxDlQQUTiJUIBiV5uNu5g%2F6%2BrkS7QYXjzkCEAUZZSZEml49Gjh0j13P68w%3D | unknown | — | — | whitelisted |
7304 | chrome.exe | GET | 200 | 216.69.170.94:80 | http://anthemes.com/themes/tianlock/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img7.jpg | unknown | — | — | whitelisted |
6964 | SIHClient.exe | GET | 200 | 184.30.21.171:80 | http://www.microsoft.com/pkiops/crl/Microsoft%20ECC%20Product%20Root%20Certificate%20Authority%202018.crl | unknown | — | — | whitelisted |
6964 | SIHClient.exe | GET | 200 | 184.30.21.171:80 | http://www.microsoft.com/pkiops/crl/Microsoft%20ECC%20Update%20Secure%20Server%20CA%202.1.crl | unknown | — | — | whitelisted |
632 | BackgroundTransferHost.exe | GET | 200 | 2.17.190.73:80 | http://ocsp.digicert.com/MFEwTzBNMEswSTAJBgUrDgMCGgUABBTrjrydRyt%2BApF3GSPypfHBxR5XtQQUs9tIpPmhxdiuNkHMEWNpYim8S8YCEAI5PUjXAkJafLQcAAsO18o%3D | unknown | — | — | whitelisted |
PID | Process | IP | Domain | ASN | CN | Reputation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 | System | 192.168.100.255:138 | — | — | — | whitelisted |
— | — | 23.53.40.178:80 | — | Akamai International B.V. | DE | unknown |
2104 | svchost.exe | 4.231.128.59:443 | — | MICROSOFT-CORP-MSN-AS-BLOCK | IE | whitelisted |
— | — | 4.231.128.59:443 | — | MICROSOFT-CORP-MSN-AS-BLOCK | IE | whitelisted |
— | — | 40.127.240.158:443 | settings-win.data.microsoft.com | MICROSOFT-CORP-MSN-AS-BLOCK | IE | whitelisted |
5496 | MoUsoCoreWorker.exe | 40.127.240.158:443 | settings-win.data.microsoft.com | MICROSOFT-CORP-MSN-AS-BLOCK | IE | whitelisted |
3216 | svchost.exe | 20.198.162.76:443 | client.wns.windows.com | MICROSOFT-CORP-MSN-AS-BLOCK | SG | whitelisted |
3304 | chrome.exe | 239.255.255.250:1900 | — | — | — | whitelisted |
7304 | chrome.exe | 34.111.140.63:443 | links.cision.one | GOOGLE | US | unknown |
7304 | chrome.exe | 173.194.69.84:443 | accounts.google.com | GOOGLE | US | whitelisted |
Domain | IP | Reputation |
|---|---|---|
google.com |
| whitelisted |
settings-win.data.microsoft.com |
| whitelisted |
client.wns.windows.com |
| whitelisted |
links.cision.one |
| unknown |
accounts.google.com |
| whitelisted |
topicsarena.com |
| unknown |
fonts.googleapis.com |
| whitelisted |
ajax.googleapis.com |
| whitelisted |
cdn.exmarketplace.com |
| unknown |
anthemes.com |
| whitelisted |
PID | Process | Class | Message |
|---|---|---|---|
7304 | chrome.exe | Not Suspicious Traffic | INFO [ANY.RUN] Google Hosted Libraries (ajax .googleapis .com) |
7304 | chrome.exe | Not Suspicious Traffic | INFO [ANY.RUN] Google Hosted Libraries (ajax .googleapis .com) |
7304 | chrome.exe | Exploit Kit Activity Detected | ET EXPLOIT_KIT Balada Domain in DNS Lookup (linetoslice .com) |
7304 | chrome.exe | Exploit Kit Activity Detected | ET EXPLOIT_KIT Balada Domain in DNS Lookup (linetoslice .com) |
7304 | chrome.exe | Not Suspicious Traffic | INFO [ANY.RUN] Google Hosted Libraries (ajax .googleapis .com) |
7304 | chrome.exe | Not Suspicious Traffic | INFO [ANY.RUN] Google Hosted Libraries (ajax .googleapis .com) |
7304 | chrome.exe | Exploit Kit Activity Detected | ET EXPLOIT_KIT Balada Domain in DNS Lookup (linetoslice .com) |
7304 | chrome.exe | Exploit Kit Activity Detected | ET EXPLOIT_KIT Balada Domain in DNS Lookup (linetoslice .com) |
7304 | chrome.exe | Exploit Kit Activity Detected | ET EXPLOIT_KIT Balada Domain in TLS SNI (linetoslice .com) |
7304 | chrome.exe | Not Suspicious Traffic | INFO [ANY.RUN] Cloudflare Network Error Logging (NEL) |