BKDR_HORSMY.A


 ALIASES:

Backdoor.Hormesu (Symantec); TrojanSpy:Win32/Fucobha.A (Microsoft); Trojan-Downloader.Win32.Agent.swbo (Kaspersky)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This backdoor is capable of sending system information to a remote server. If a connection to the server is established, it may download, upload or execute arbitrary files into the system.

This backdoor arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

It does not have any propagation routine.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

77,824 bytes

File Type:

DLL

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

11 Nov 2011

Payload:

Compromises system security, Connects to URLs/IPs

Arrival Details

This backdoor arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

Installation

This backdoor adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:

  • myhorsemutex

It injects itself into the following processes as part of its memory residency routine:

  • EXPLORER.EXE

Propagation

This backdoor does not have any propagation routine.

NOTES:

Backdoor Routine

It connects to the following server via HTTP POST / GET:

  • www. {BLOCKED} bit.com

Initially, it sends the information contained in %System%\tmp.dat via HTTP POST, then awaits for commands from the remote computer. Once connection is established, it can do the following:

  • Upload Files
  • Download Files
  • Execute file

Currently, the server is inaccessible.

Rootkit Capabilities

It does not have rootkit capabilities.

Other Details

It creates the following file that is also deleted after use:

  • %System%\tmp.dat

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\System32 on Windows NT and 2000, or C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP and Server 2003.)

The said file is non-malicious and contains the following information:

  • Host Name
  • IP address
  • List of processes
  • OS language version
  • OS version
  • Path of System directory

This backdoor can use the following user agent when communicating with the server:

  • mydownload
  • MyAgent

It does not exploit any vulnerability.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.200

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

8.582.01

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

18 Nov 2011

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

8.583.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

19 Nov 2011

Step 1

For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.

Step 2

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as BKDR_HORSMY.A

Step 3

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 4

Search and delete this file

[ Learn More ]
There may be some component files that are hidden. Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden files and folders in the search result.  
  • %System%\tmp.dat

Step 5

Search and delete the file detected as BKDR_HORSMY.A

[ Learn More ]
Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden files in the search result.

Step 6

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as BKDR_HORSMY.A. If the detected files have already been cleaned, deleted, or quarantined by your Trend Micro product, no further step is required. You may opt to simply delete the quarantined files. Please check this Knowledge Base page for more information.


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