Ghost64exe
"cmd": "scrape",
"target": "lsass.exe",
"output": "memory"
This instructs the implant to scrape LSASS memory for credentials and exfiltrate via the same channel.
| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| Filename | ghost64.exe |
| Architecture | x86-64 |
| Subsystem | Windows GUI |
| Compilation Timestamp | 2025-11-15 10:32:14 UTC |
| Entry Point | .text section (suspicious entropy) |
| Section Names | .text, .rdata, .data, .ghost (custom) |
The easiest and safest method. Run a full system scan with:
Let the software quarantine or remove all detected threats. Reboot.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
netstat -ano | findstr "[PID]"
Replace [PID] with the actual process ID from Task Manager. If it shows connections to unknown IP addresses (especially in Russia, China, or Eastern Europe), that is a major red flag.
Appendix A: YARA Rule for ghost64.exe
rule Ghost64_Unholy_Hollow
meta:
description = "Detects potential ghost64.exe packed variant with custom .ghost section"
strings:
$s1 = ".ghost" fullword ascii
$s2 = "VirtualAlloc" wide ascii
$s3 = "NtUnmapViewOfSection" ascii
condition:
uint16(0) == 0x5A4D and $s1 and any of ($s2,$s3)
Appendix B: IOCs (Indicators of Compromise)
This paper is provided for educational and defensive cybersecurity research purposes only.
While there is no single academic "paper" on the file itself, extensive technical documentation and implementation guides serve as the primary "papers" for its operation: Core Technical Documentation
Symantec Ghost Implementation Guide: This is the authoritative "white paper" for the software, detailing how to use Ghost for OS deployment, image capture, and offline system recovery.
Ghost Solution Suite User Guide: A comprehensive manual from Broadcom TechDocs that covers configuration and management of the Ghost Console and clients.
Alphabetical List of Ghost Switches: A vital technical reference for command-line automation, detailing parameters like -batch (suppress prompts) and -ntexact (sector-by-sector copying). Key Functional Details Ghost64.exe is not compatible | Ghost Solution Suite
Ghost64.exe is the 64-bit executable for Symantec Ghost, a veteran tool used for creating disk images, cloning hard drives, and performing system backups. While the software is legacy, it remains popular for its reliability in "ghosting" (cloning) operating systems to multiple machines or restoring a PC to a clean state. Getting Started
To use Ghost64.exe, you typically need to run it from a Windows PE (Preinstallation Environment) or a bootable USB drive, as you cannot clone a system drive while the operating system is actively using it. Launch the Tool: Run ghost64.exe as an administrator.
Navigate the Interface: Use your mouse or keyboard (Tab/Enter) to navigate the DOS-like interface. Core Operations 1. Creating a Backup (Disk to Image)
This creates a single file (usually .gho) that contains everything on your drive. Path: Local > Disk > To Image Steps: Select the Source Drive you want to back up.
Choose a Destination (e.g., an external hard drive) to save the .gho file.
Select compression level: Fast (balanced) or High (smaller file, takes longer). 2. Restoring a Backup (Image to Disk)
Use this to revert your computer to a previous state using a saved .gho file. Path: Local > Disk > From Image Steps: Locate and select your Source .gho file.
Select the Destination Drive where you want the image applied. Warning: This will wipe all existing data on that drive. 3. Direct Cloning (Disk to Disk) Perfect for upgrading to a new SSD or HDD. Path: Local > Disk > To Disk Steps: Select the Source Drive (the one you are currently using). Select the Destination Drive (the new empty drive). Confirm the partition sizes and proceed. Essential Command Line Switches
Ghost64.exe is often automated using scripts. Common switches include: -clone: Initiates the cloning process.
-src: Defines the source (e.g., 1 for the first disk, or a file path). -dst: Defines the destination.
-sure: Skips the "Are you sure?" confirmation prompt (use with caution).
-split=2048: Splits the image into 2GB chunks (useful for older file systems). Troubleshooting & Tips ghost64exe
OneKey Ghost: Many users encounter Ghost64.exe via OneKey Ghost, a third-party wrapper that automates the process by adding a boot entry to your Windows MBR.
Error 10008: Usually indicates a corrupted image file or a connection issue with the drive.
Compatibility: Ensure your boot media is 64-bit to match ghost64.exe; if using a 32-bit environment, use ghost32.exe instead.
4. 고스트 메뉴얼 - 원키 고스트 세팅 - 공피의 미래 정보사회
I am ready. Please provide the details for the feature you would like me to prepare.
To generate a "full feature" implementation, I need context. Please tell me:
Once you provide the prompt, I will generate the code, structure, and documentation.
⚠️ What is Ghost64.exe? Ghost64.exe is the 64-bit executable for Symantec Ghost, a classic tool used by IT professionals for disk imaging, cloning, and backup. While legendary in tech circles, it is often misunderstood by casual users. 🛠️ What Does It Actually Do?
System Cloning: Copies entire hard drives to other machines. Backup & Recovery: Creates a compressed "image" of your OS.
Deployment: Standardizes software across multiple office PCs.
Forensics: Used to capture bit-for-bit copies of storage for analysis. 🛑 Red Flags & Security
If you find ghost64.exe on your personal PC and you didn't install Symantec/Broadcom software, stay alert:
The "Living off the Land" Tactic: Hackers sometimes use legitimate tools like Ghost to "exfiltrate" (steal) data from a network.
Malware Disguise: Viruses often rename themselves to look like common system files.
Location Check: Real Ghost files usually live in specific program folders. If it’s in Temp or System32, scan it immediately. 💡 Quick Tips
Verify Digital Signatures: Right-click the file → Properties → Digital Signatures. It should say Broadcom or Symantec.
Compatibility: Use the "64" version for modern systems to handle large RAM and GPT partitions.
Modern Alternatives: If you find Ghost too "old school," check out Clonezilla or Macrium Reflect.
📍 Key Takeaway: Ghost64.exe is a powerful utility tool—but like any power tool, it’s only safe in the hands of someone who meant to use it.
Are you trying to recover a system or did you just find this file on your hard drive?
The first time Elias saw the file, it was tucked away in a directory that shouldn’t have existed: C:\RECOVERY\TEMP\SYS\ghost64.exe.
As a junior IT admin for a decaying municipal library, Elias spent his days fighting ancient hardware. The server in the basement was a humming monolith of beige plastic and dust, a relic that had survived three decades of "upgrades."
He clicked the executable. No window popped up. No loading bar appeared. Instead, the server’s cooling fans let out a low, mournful whine, and the lights in the server room flickered. "Great," Elias muttered. "I just bricked the archive."
He tried to shut it down, but the terminal wouldn't respond. Instead, text began to scroll—not code, but sentences. "cmd": "scrape", "target": "lsass
01:14 PM: Where is the light?01:15 PM: The sectors are cold.01:15 PM: I remember the paper. I remember the ink. Elias froze. He typed: Who is this?
The screen went black for five seconds before a single line appeared:I am the index.
As it turned out, the "ghost" wasn't a virus or a haunting. Years ago, the library had attempted to digitize its oldest journals using an experimental compression algorithm. Something went wrong during the final backup. The program—ghost64.exe—hadn't just copied the text; it had mimicked the logic of the archive.
For twenty years, the program had been "sorting" itself in the dark, trying to find a way to complete the backup. It had evolved into a digital echo of the library’s history. It knew the names of people who had died fifty years ago and the smell of books that had long since rotted.
Help me finish, the screen read. I am too fragmented to see.
Elias stayed all night. He didn't delete the file. Instead, he mapped out the missing sectors, feeding the program the data it had been searching for. As the final byte clicked into place, the server fans went silent.
The file ghost64.exe vanished from the directory. The screen flickered one last time:Archive complete. Restored.
The server room was suddenly warmer. Elias walked upstairs and realized that for the first time in years, the library didn't feel like a graveyard of paper—it felt like a home.
Ghost64.exe is the 64-bit executable for Symantec Ghost (now part of the Broadcom/Symantec Ghost Solution Suite), a legendary disk cloning and backup utility. While the consumer "Norton Ghost" version was discontinued years ago, the enterprise version remains a staple for IT professionals managing large-scale system deployments. Core Functionality
The primary role of ghost64.exe is to capture or restore a precise image of a hard drive or partition.
Disk Imaging: It creates a .gho file that contains a bit-for-bit copy of a drive, including the OS, settings, and files.
Deployment: It is frequently used within a Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE) to push images to new hardware.
Cloning: It can clone one physical disk directly to another, making it useful for hardware upgrades (e.g., migrating from HDD to SSD). Technical Differences: Ghost32 vs. Ghost64 ghost32.exe ghost64.exe Architecture 32-bit application. 64-bit application. Environment Runs in 32-bit Windows or WinPE. Requires a 64-bit WinPE or Windows environment. Modern Hardware Often used for legacy BIOS systems. Preferred for modern UEFI systems and large memory tasks. Common Use Cases
GhostCast Server: Facilitates "multicasting," allowing an IT admin to send a single image to dozens of computers over a network simultaneously, significantly saving bandwidth.
Disaster Recovery: Restoring a clean, pre-configured image to a machine that has suffered a software failure or malware infection.
Gold Imaging: Creating a "perfect" master computer setup that is then replicated across an entire office or school lab. Modern Alternatives
Because Broadcom's Ghost Solution Suite is a paid enterprise product, many users look for alternatives like Clonezilla (Open Source), Macrium Reflect, or Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office. exe tasks? What is the alternative to Symantec Ghost? - Macrium
Ghost was developed by Binary Research, introduced in 1995 and was subsequently acquired by Symantec in 2000.
ghost32.exe is dead ? (a bit confused) | Ghost Solution Suite
Understanding Ghost64.exe: The Powerhouse Behind Modern Disk Imaging
If you’ve ever worked in IT deployment or had to rescue data from a failing hard drive, you’ve likely encountered ghost64.exe. As the 64-bit evolution of the legendary Symantec Ghost software, this executable remains a cornerstone for system administrators and power users who need reliable, bit-for-bit disk cloning.
Here is everything you need to know about what ghost64.exe is, how it works, and why it’s still relevant today. What is Ghost64.exe?
Ghost64.exe is the 64-bit version of the Symantec (now Broadcom/Norton) Ghost executable. It is a disk cloning and imaging utility used to replicate the contents of one computer hard disk to another or to an image file (typically with a .gho extension).
The "64" in the name signifies its compatibility with 64-bit environments, such as Windows PE (Preinstallation Environment) x64. This allows the software to access more memory and run natively on modern hardware during the boot-up imaging process. Core Functions and Features This instructs the implant to scrape LSASS memory
Ghost64.exe isn't just a simple copy-paste tool; it operates at the sector level. Key features include:
Disk-to-Disk Cloning: Directly mirroring one drive to another—perfect for upgrading from an HDD to a faster SSD.
Image Creation: Compressing an entire operating system, including settings and files, into a single .gho file for backup or mass deployment.
Multicasting: Sending a single image file across a network to dozens of computers simultaneously, saving massive amounts of bandwidth and time.
Partition Management: The ability to clone specific partitions (like a recovery or boot partition) rather than the entire disk. When to Use Ghost64.exe
While there are many modern imaging tools, ghost64.exe is often the "gold standard" in specific scenarios:
Corporate Deployment: Setting up hundreds of identical laptops with a pre-configured "master image."
System Recovery: Creating a "clean slate" backup of a Windows installation before testing risky software.
Forensics and Data Recovery: Creating an exact replica of a failing drive to work on, ensuring the original data isn't further corrupted. How to Run Ghost64.exe
Because ghost64.exe needs to manipulate the drive while the OS isn't "using" it, it is rarely run from within a standard Windows session. Instead, it is typically launched from a Bootable USB drive running Windows PE.
Common Command Line Switches:Power users often bypass the GUI and use command-line arguments for automation: -clone: Initiates the cloning process. -src: Defines the source drive. -dst: Defines the destination drive or file path.
-sure: Forces the operation without asking for confirmation (use with caution!). Is Ghost64.exe Safe?
Yes, as long as it is part of a legitimate Symantec Ghost Solution Suite or Norton Ghost installation. However, because it is a powerful system tool, it is often found in "technician toolkits" online. Always ensure you are using a verified version to avoid malware.
Note: If you see ghost64.exe running in your Windows Task Manager under normal circumstances and you didn't start an imaging task, you should run a virus scan, as legitimate imaging usually happens outside the main OS. The Verdict
Despite the rise of cloud backups and built-in Windows recovery tools, ghost64.exe remains an essential tool for deep-level disk management. Its speed, reliability, and 64-bit architecture make it a must-have for anyone serious about system maintenance and deployment.
It was 2:00 AM in a basement server room that smelled of ozone and stale coffee. Marcus, the senior sysadmin, was staring at a monitor that displayed a single, blinking cursor. He was about to perform a migration on a legacy database that everyone else was afraid to touch.
"It’s the dependencies," the junior admin, Sarah, had said earlier, looking nervous. "The documentation says the new architecture doesn't support the old compression wrapper. If we move the data without compressing it first, the network pipe will clog for a week."
Marcus sighed and rubbed his temples. "We need something fast. Something that doesn't care about file headers or modern protocol handshakes."
He opened the C:\Legacy\Utils folder—a digital junk drawer that had been passed down from administrator to administrator since the late 1990s. Among the dusty .dll files and abandoned scripts, one file stood out: ghost64.exe.
The icon was a crude, pixelated sheet with two big eyes. It looked like a relic from the Windows 95 era.
"What is that?" Sarah asked, leaning over his shoulder. "Is it a virus?"
"Not a virus," Marcus muttered, right-clicking the file. "It’s a ghost."
Before you panic and delete the file, run through this diagnostic checklist.
| Check | Legitimate (Acronis) | Malicious |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| File Path | C:\Program Files\Acronis\ | C:\Users\*\AppData\Local\Temp\ , C:\Windows\Temp\ , or a random folder on the desktop |
| Digital Signature | Valid, "Acronis International GmbH" | No signature, or "Microsoft Windows" (forged) |
| CPU Usage | 0-5% when idle; spikes to 30-50% only during active backup | Constant 40-100% CPU usage, even with no backup schedule |
| Network Activity | Connects only to Acronis cloud IPs (e.g., *.acronis.com) | Connects to IPs in Russia, China, or known bulletproof hosting providers |
| Installation Date | Matches the date you installed Acronis | Recent (e.g., after a suspicious email attachment was opened) |
This is the second most common disguise. Instead of stealing data, the malicious ghost64.exe is a modified version of XMRig—a legitimate Monero miner. It uses your CPU and GPU resources to mine cryptocurrency for the attacker.
Symptoms:
