Extracting Config From Agent Tesla Rat

Extracting Config from Agent Tesla RAT

Overview

Agent Tesla is a .NET-based Remote Access Trojan (RAT) and keylogger that ranked among the top 10 malware variants in 2024, impacting 6.3% of corporate networks globally. It exfiltrates stolen credentials via SMTP email, FTP upload, Telegram bot API, or Discord webhooks. The malware configuration is embedded in the .NET assembly, typically obfuscated using string encryption, resource encryption, or custom loaders that decrypt and execute Agent Tesla in memory via .NET Reflection (fileless). Configuration extraction involves decompiling the .NET assembly with dnSpy or ILSpy, identifying the decryption routine for configuration strings, and extracting SMTP server addresses, credentials, FTP endpoints, Telegram bot tokens, and targeted applications.

When to Use

Trigger phrases:

• "extracting config from agent tesla rat"

• "Extract embedded configuration from Agent Tesla RAT samples including SMTP/FTP/T"

• When performing authorized security testing that involves extracting config from agent tesla rat

• When analyzing malware samples or attack artifacts in a controlled environment

• When conducting red team exercises or penetration testing engagements

• When building detection capabilities based on offensive technique understanding

Prerequisites

• dnSpy or ILSpy for .NET decompilation
• Python 3.9+ with dnlib or pythonnet for automated extraction
• de4dot for .NET deobfuscation
• Understanding of .NET IL code and Reflection
• Sandbox for dynamic analysis (ANY.RUN, CAPE)

Workflow

1. Scope the task — define objectives, boundaries, and success criteria
2. Gather information — collect all necessary data and context before proceeding
3. Execute the core workflow — follow the domain-specific steps methodically
4. Validate results — verify outputs against expected outcomes or baselines
5. Document findings — record results, anomalies, and recommendations

Step 1: Deobfuscate and Extract Configuration

#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""Extract Agent Tesla RAT configuration from .NET assemblies."""
import re
import sys
import json
import base64
import hashlib
from pathlib import Path


def extract_strings_from_dotnet(filepath):
    """Extract readable strings from .NET binary for config analysis."""
    with open(filepath, 'rb') as f:
        data = f.read()

    # Extract US (User Strings) heap from .NET metadata
    strings = []

    # Look for common Agent Tesla config patterns
    patterns = {
        "smtp_server": re.compile(rb'smtp[\.\-][\w\.\-]+\.\w{2,}', re.I),
        "email": re.compile(rb'[\w\.\-]+@[\w\.\-]+\.\w{2,}'),
        "ftp_url": re.compile(rb'ftp://[\w\.\-:/]+', re.I),
        "telegram_token": re.compile(rb'\d{8,10}:[A-Za-z0-9_-]{35}'),
        "telegram_chat": re.compile(rb'(?:chat_id=|chatid[=:])[\-]?\d{5,15}', re.I),
        "discord_webhook": re.compile(rb'https://discord\.com/api/webhooks/\d+/[\w-]+'),
        "password": re.compile(rb'(?:pass(?:word)?|pwd)[=:]\s*[\w!@#$%^&*]{4,}', re.I),
        "port": re.compile(rb'(?:port|smtp_port)[=:]\s*\d{2,5}', re.I),
    }

    results = {}
    for name, pattern in patterns.items():
        matches = pattern.findall(data)
        if matches:
            results[name] = [m.decode('utf-8', errors='replace') for m in matches]

    # Extract Base64-encoded strings (common obfuscation)
    b64_pattern = re.compile(rb'[A-Za-z0-9+/]{20,}={0,2}')
    b64_decoded = []
    for match in b64_pattern.finditer(data):
        try:
            decoded = base64.b64decode(match.group())
            text = decoded.decode('utf-8', errors='strict')
            if text.isprintable() and len(text) > 5:
                b64_decoded.append(text)
        except Exception:
            pass

    if b64_decoded:
        results["base64_decoded_strings"] = b64_decoded[:30]

    return results


def decrypt_agenttesla_strings(data, key_hex):
    """Decrypt Agent Tesla encrypted configuration strings."""
    key = bytes.fromhex(key_hex)
    # Agent Tesla V1: Simple XOR with key
    decrypted_strings = []

    # Find encrypted blobs (high-entropy byte sequences)
    blob_pattern = re.compile(rb'[\x80-\xff]{16,256}')
    for match in blob_pattern.finditer(data):
        blob = match.group()
        # Try XOR decryption
        decrypted = bytes(b ^ key[i % len(key)] for i, b in enumerate(blob))
        try:
            text = decrypted.decode('utf-8', errors='strict')
            if text.isprintable() and len(text.strip()) > 3:
                decrypted_strings.append(text.strip())
        except UnicodeDecodeError:
            pass

    # V2: SHA256-based key derivation then AES
    sha256_key = hashlib.sha256(key).digest()

    return decrypted_strings


def analyze_exfiltration_config(config):
    """Analyze extracted configuration for exfiltration methods."""
    methods = []

    if config.get("smtp_server"):
        methods.append({
            "type": "SMTP",
            "servers": config["smtp_server"],
            "emails": config.get("email", []),
        })

    if config.get("ftp_url"):
        methods.append({
            "type": "FTP",
            "urls": config["ftp_url"],
        })

    if config.get("telegram_token"):
        methods.append({
            "type": "Telegram",
            "tokens": config["telegram_token"],
            "chat_ids": config.get("telegram_chat", []),
        })

    if config.get("discord_webhook"):
        methods.append({
            "type": "Discord",
            "webhooks": config["discord_webhook"],
        })

    return methods


if __name__ == "__main__":
    if len(sys.argv) < 2:
        print(f"Usage: {sys.argv[0]} <agent_tesla_sample>")
        sys.exit(1)

    config = extract_strings_from_dotnet(sys.argv[1])
    methods = analyze_exfiltration_config(config)

    report = {"raw_config": config, "exfiltration_methods": methods}
    print(json.dumps(report, indent=2))

Validation Criteria

• Exfiltration method identified (SMTP/FTP/Telegram/Discord)
• Server addresses and credentials extracted from config
• Targeted applications list recovered
• Keylogger and screenshot capture settings documented
• Persistence mechanism identified
• IOCs suitable for network blocking extracted

When NOT to Use

• You need to analyze extracted data (use analyzing-* skills)
• Task is about detecting extraction (use detecting-* skills)
• You need to implement extraction tools (use implementing-* skills)
• Task is about building extraction infrastructure (use building-* skills)
• You don't have access to forensic images
• Task requires chain of custody (follow forensic process)

Red Flags

• Performing actions without explicit written authorization from the asset owner
• Testing against production systems without a defined scope and rules of engagement
• Sharing sensitive findings or credentials in unencrypted communications
• Failing to properly scope and contain the assessment before starting

Verification

• All steps executed successfully against a test environment before production use
• Output documented with screenshots or logs demonstrating expected behavior
• Results validated against known-good baselines or reference implementations
• Documentation complete enough for another analyst to reproduce findings

References

• Splunk - Agent Tesla Detection and Analysis
• Qualys - Catching the RAT Agent Tesla
• ANY.RUN Agent Tesla Analysis
• Trustwave - Agent Tesla Novel Loader
• Malpedia - Agent Tesla

Process

1. Analyze the task requirements
2. Apply domain expertise
3. Verify output quality

Anti-Rationalization Table