{
  "family": "joke",
  "sample_count": 9,
  "category": "advanced_threat",
  "description": "Joke:Win32/Joke (or generic **Joke Program** heuristics) represents a classification for software that is technically non-destructive but is designed to startle, annoy, or prank the user. These programs simulate severe system failures, such as fake Blue Screens of Death (BSOD), making the mouse cursor run away from the user, or uncontrollably opening and closing the CD-ROM drive. While not technically malware, they are heavily flagged by security vendors due to the massive disruption they cause in enterprise environments.<br><br><b>Understanding Joke Programs</b><br>To an end-user, a Joke program is often terrifying, leading them to believe their computer is completely broken or heavily infected. For a security analyst or IT helpdesk, these programs are a massive nuisance that wastes valuable incident response time. While most are sent harmlessly among coworkers, advanced threat actors sometimes deploy Joke programs during a real breach as a diversionary tactic ('smokescreen') to overwhelm the SOC while data exfiltration occurs elsewhere.<br><br><b>Execution and Disruption Mechanics</b><br>Joke programs are usually executed manually by a user who was tricked into downloading a file (e.g., `funny_game.exe`) (`T1204.002`). They do not typically possess self-propagation capabilities or C2 channels. Upon execution, they utilize standard Windows APIs to disrupt the UI (`T1562`). For example, they might use the `SetCursorPos` API to constantly move the mouse, or draw a full-screen image of a BSOD over the desktop, disabling task manager access to prevent the user from closing the application easily.<br><br><b>Indicators of Compromise & Impact</b><br>The primary impact is severe productivity loss and a flooded IT helpdesk. The IoC is entirely host-based: a highly visible, disruptive process running on the desktop. EDR logs will flag the execution of an unknown, unsigned binary from a user-writable directory (like `%Downloads%` or `%Temp%`). There is rarely any anomalous network traffic associated with Joke programs.",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [],
  "enrichment_level": "expert-seo",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1204.002",
    "T1562"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-06-09",
  "mitre_attack_detail": [
    {
      "id": "T1204.002",
      "name": "User Execution: Malicious File",
      "tactic": "Execution"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1562",
      "name": "Impair Defenses (Disabling Task Manager / UI manipulation)",
      "tactic": "Defense Evasion"
    }
  ],
  "containment_steps": [
    "If the UI is completely locked (e.g., a fake BSOD), restart the computer in Safe Mode to prevent the Joke program from launching.",
    "Use EDR or the Windows Task Manager (if accessible) to identify and terminate the anomalous executable causing the disruption.",
    "Locate and delete the executable file, usually found in the user's Downloads or Temp directory.",
    "Investigate the source of the file to determine if it was an internal prank or an external download, and educate the user accordingly."
  ],
  "what_to_avoid": [
    "Do not assume a major incident has occurred before verifying the nature of the disruption; fake BSODs are common scare tactics.",
    "Avoid ignoring the incident entirely; investigate *why* the user executed an unknown, untrusted binary on a corporate machine."
  ],
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}