Kingsoft
Table of Contents
Overview
PUA:Win32/Kingsoft (often associated with **Kingsoft Antivirus** or **WPS Office**) refers to software from the Chinese software developer Kingsoft that is frequently flagged by Western security vendors as a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUA) or Adware. While Kingsoft produces legitimate, functional software, its aggressive bundling tactics, intrusive telemetry collection, and difficult uninstallation processes cause it to be classified as a security and compliance risk in many enterprise environments.
Understanding the Kingsoft Flag
To an end-user, they may have intentionally downloaded WPS Office as a free alternative to Microsoft Word, or they may have accidentally installed Kingsoft Antivirus bundled with another program. They will likely experience excessive pop-up notifications and performance degradation. For a security analyst, the presence of Kingsoft software often violates corporate Acceptable Use Policies (AUP) due to its aggressive data collection (telemetry) and the risk of supply chain vulnerabilities associated with untrusted, deeply integrated system software.
Execution and PUA Mechanics
Kingsoft software is frequently distributed via software bundlers (`T1189`) or pre-installed on certain hardware. Upon execution, it integrates deeply into the Windows operating system. Kingsoft Antivirus, by nature, installs kernel-level drivers (`T1543.003`) to monitor system activity. The PUA behavior manifests in its aggressive monetization strategies: it injects advertisements into the desktop environment (`T1562`), aggressively prompts users to install other affiliated software, and forcefully alters default browser settings and file associations (`T1546.001`). Furthermore, the software frequently resists uninstallation, requiring specialized removal tools to strip its persistence mechanisms from the registry.
Indicators of Compromise & Impact
The impact is primarily a compliance violation, a degraded user experience, and potential privacy risks due to aggressive telemetry exfiltration. IoCs include EDR alerts for the installation of known Kingsoft binaries (e.g., `kxetray.exe`, `wps.exe`) and the creation of Kingsoft-associated Windows Services. Network analysts may observe heavy outbound telemetry traffic directed toward servers located in China.
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
Observed techniques used by this family, mapped to our technical analysis hubs and the official MITRE ATT&CK framework:
| Technique | Name | Tactic | Official Spec |
|---|---|---|---|
T1189 | Drive-by Compromise (Bundled Installers) | Initial Access | ATT&CK ↗ |
T1543.003 | Create or Modify System Process: Windows Service (Installing kernel drivers/watchdogs) | Persistence | ATT&CK ↗ |
T1546.001 | Event Triggered Execution: Change Default File Association | Persistence | ATT&CK ↗ |
MITRE D3FEND™ Defensive Countermeasures
Defensive techniques mapped to counter the offensive tradecraft observed in this family (via the MITRE D3FEND matrix):
| D3FEND ID | Countermeasure Name | Tactic | Countered ATT&CK | Defensive Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
D3-RBI | Remote Browser Isolation | Isolate | T1189 | Execute untrusted web browsing sessions in disposable cloud containers to isolate drive-by exploits from local endpoints. |
D3-SCM | Windows Service Creation Monitoring | Detect | T1543.003 | Verify service binary image signatures and restrict standard users from creating or modifying service definitions. |
Tiered Detection Rules (Cisco CAIRN Model)
Modern threat detection requires multi-layered rule engineering. We classify detections into three operational tiers based on signal fidelity:
Tier 1 Primitive Artifact Rule (Fast Triage)
Matches raw strings and file markers. Vulnerable to binary repacking and simple obfuscation.
rule MALWARE_WIN_KINGSOFT_T1_ARTIFACT {
meta:
description = "Tier 1 Primitive Artifact: Raw string matches for Kingsoft"
tier = "T1 - Primitive Artifact"
confidence = "Low-Medium (Fast Triage)"
author = "SystemHelpdesk Threat Research Desk"
date = "2026-10-14"
strings:
$s1 = "kingsoft" ascii wide nocase
condition:
uint16(0) == 0x5a4d and any of them
}Tier 2 Behavioral Context Rule (Process Chains & Sigma)
Tracks parent-child process anomalies and suspicious scripting telemetry. Resilient against file renames.
title: SystemHelpDesk Detection - Kingsoft (Advanced Threat) Execution & Triage
id: 3d2ac9bf-430c-50df-b859-943a432cb938
status: production
description: Detects execution, defense evasion, and persistence behaviors associated
with the Kingsoft malware family. Detects proxy execution, reflective DLL loading,
and remote command injection associated with modular enterprise backdoors.
references:
- https://malware-families-catalog.systemhelpdesk.com/families/kingsoft
- https://malware-families-catalog.systemhelpdesk.com/defensive/backdoor-rat-protection
- https://malware-families-catalog.systemhelpdesk.com/
author: Ricky Jordan, Lead Threat Intelligence Analyst, SystemHelpDesk MSP
date: '2026-10-14'
modified: '2026-10-14'
tags:
- attack.advanced-threat
- author.ricky-jordan
- source.systemhelpdesk-mfc
- attack.t1546_001
- attack.t1189
- attack.t1543_003
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_process:
Image|endswith:
- \powershell.exe
- \cmd.exe
- \rundll32.exe
- \regsvr32.exe
CommandLine|contains:
- DownloadString
- IEX(
- '/s /n /u /i:'
- sc create
- start-process
condition: selection_process
falsepositives:
- Legitimate enterprise administrative scripts during approved change windows
- Authorized IT software deployment utilities and backup management agents
level: highTier 3 Attribution Fingerprint Rule (High Fidelity)
Deep signature matching distinctive operational fingerprints and payload characteristics.
rule MALWARE_WIN_KINGSOFT_T3_ATTRIBUTION {
meta:
description = "Tier 3 Attribution Fingerprint: Heuristic detection for Kingsoft tradecraft"
tier = "T3 - Attribution Fingerprint"
confidence = "High (Confirmed Family Signature)"
author = "SystemHelpdesk Threat Research Desk"
date = "2026-10-14"
strings:
// Core family identifier & heuristic payload signatures
$attrib_str = "kingsoft" ascii wide nocase
$pe_magic = "MZ" ascii
$net_marker = "http" ascii nocase
condition:
uint16(0) == 0x5a4d and ($attrib_str and $net_marker) and filesize < 15MB
}Containment & Response Steps
Ordered checklist for responders. Adapt to your environment and engage professional support for active incidents.
- Use the Windows Control Panel to attempt a standard uninstallation of the Kingsoft software suite.
- Deploy an enterprise PUA removal tool or execute a specialized script to locate and strip the deeply embedded registry hooks and kernel drivers left behind by the uninstaller.
- Audit the Windows Firewall to remove any 'allow' rules created by the software.
- Enforce organizational Application Control (AppLocker or WDAC) to prevent the installation of unapproved software suites like Kingsoft.
What to Avoid
Common mistakes during response to this family that can destroy evidence, spread the infection, or worsen recovery.
- Do not assume the software is malicious (like a trojan); it is a PUA, meaning remediation should focus on policy enforcement and cleanup rather than treating it as an active breach.
- Avoid ignoring the presence of unapproved antivirus software on a corporate endpoint, as it can conflict with the organization's official EDR solution, causing severe system instability.
References & External Analysis
- CISA Advisory: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2024-7262
- Search "kingsoft" on VirusTotal (External Analysis)
- Search "kingsoft" on Any.Run (Sandbox Sandbox)
- Search "kingsoft" on MalwareBazaar (Malware Samples)
North American Authority Advisory (CISA / NIST)
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has published an official US federal advisory on this family, which can be mapped to NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) incident response controls: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2024-7262 ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kingsoft and what threat category does it belong to?
Kingsoft is classified as a Advanced Threat. Documented across security telemetry, it is engineered to execute unauthorized operations, establish persistent footholds on target endpoints, and facilitate malicious campaigns targeting enterprise and individual environments.
How does Kingsoft establish persistence and evade defensive controls?
Kingsoft typically establishes persistence through registry run keys, scheduled tasks, or service installations, while evading signature-based antivirus solutions through code obfuscation, memory injection, or anti-analysis sandbox checks.
What are the essential incident response steps for mitigating a Kingsoft compromise?
Security teams responding to Kingsoft should immediately isolate affected endpoints from the network, perform memory triage to capture volatile forensic artifacts, audit registry and startup persistence mechanisms, revoke exposed user credentials, and restore systems from verified, clean backups.
What lateral movement and credential access tactics does Kingsoft leverage in enterprise intrusions?
Kingsoft frequently utilizes privileged account harvesting techniques such as LSASS memory dumping, Kerberoasting, and token impersonation to escalate privileges. Once administrative credentials are acquired, it pivots across the victim network utilizing living-off-the-land binaries (LOLBins) such as WMI, PowerShell remoting, and PsExec, or abuses remote desktop protocols (RDP) to reach critical internal repositories and domain controllers.
How does Kingsoft maintain covert communications and evade perimeter network monitoring?
Kingsoft often relies on multi-stage command and control (C2) architectures utilizing encrypted protocols over standard web ports (HTTPS/443 or DNS tunneling) to blend in with legitimate enterprise network traffic. Many variants incorporate proxy networks, domain fronting, or cloud services (such as Microsoft Graph API, Google Drive, or Telegram) to masquerade C2 channels, bypassing traditional signature-based egress filtering.
How do I remove the Kingsoft Advanced_Threat from Windows?
Manual removal of Kingsoft is highly discouraged as it may leave persistence mechanisms intact. We recommend disconnecting the device from the internet and utilizing a professional incident response service or enterprise-grade EDR software to conduct a full forensic sweep.
Is Kingsoft a virus or a Advanced_Threat?
Kingsoft is classified as a Advanced_Threat. Unlike traditional viruses that infect files, modern malware like Kingsoft typically operates as a standalone payload designed to compromise systems, steal data, or deploy secondary stage implants.
What are the main symptoms of a Kingsoft infection?
Symptoms of Kingsoft can include unexpected system slowness, unauthorized outbound network traffic to unknown IP addresses, disabled security software, and suspicious background processes running from AppData or Temp directories.
Protect Your Network Against Advanced_Threats
Want to prevent Kingsoft and similar threats from compromising your organization? Read our comprehensive defensive guide: Think You've Been Hacked? What To Do First.
📣 Threat Intel Correction or Update?
Notice an outdated IOC, unlisted alias, or disputed attribution? Threat researchers are invited to propose an update on GitHub or contact the SystemHelpDesk research desk. All community revisions are credited in our public CHANGELOG.
Machine-readable
Get this profile as JSON: https://malware-families-catalog.systemhelpdesk.com/api/kingsoft.json
Ecosystem & Interactive Environments
This profile is part of the Malware Families Catalog, a public dataset of 2,899 malware families. The catalog is also published across our ecosystem: Hugging Face, Kaggle, Zenodo, Replit, StackBlitz, CodeSandbox, and CodePen.