This previously unknown malware has some crafty tricks for avoiding antivirus

Cybersecurity researchers from Trend Micro have uncovered a brand new piece of malware that uses an unusual method of hiding from antivirus programs.

The malware is called UNAPIMON, and is apparently being used by Winnti, an established Chinese state-sponsored threat actor that was behind some of the most devastating attacks against governments, hardware and software vendors, think tanks, and more.

According to Trend Micro, many malware variants are using a method known as API hooking to eavesdrop on calls, grab sensitive data, and tweak different software. Therefore, many security tools also use API hooking to track the malware.

Simplicity and originality

“With UNAPIMON, things are different. It uses Microsoft Detours for hooking the CreateProcessW API function, which allows it to unhook critical API functions in child processes. As a result, it successfully evades antivirus detection. 

A unique and notable feature of this malware is its simplicity and originality,” Trend Micro said in its report. “Its use of existing technologies, such as Microsoft Detours, shows that any simple and off-the-shelf library can be used maliciously if used creatively. This also displayed the coding prowess and creativity of the malware writer.”

“In typical scenarios, it is the malware that does the hooking. However, it is the opposite in this case.”

Using Microsoft Detours in this regard has other benefits, too, the researchers expla