BKDR_QAKBOT.TH
Windows
Threat Type: Backdoor
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: Yes
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware
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 executes commands from a remote malicious user, effectively compromising the affected system. It connects to a website to send and receive information.
It prevents users from visiting antivirus-related websites that contain specific strings. It deletes itself after execution.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
221,184 bytes
EXE
Yes
21 Jan 2015
Compromises system security, Steals information
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 drops the following files:
- %Application Data%\Microsoft\{random folder}\{random file name}.dll
- %Application Data%\Microsoft\{random folder}\{random file name}32.dll
(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)
It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:
- %Application Data%\Microsoft\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe
(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)
It creates the following folders:
- %Application Data%\Microsoft\{random folder}
(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)
Autostart Technique
This backdoor adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{random name} = "%All Users Profile%\Application Data\Microsoft\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe"
It registers its dropped component as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup. It does this by creating the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\{random key}
ImagePath = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\{random folder}\{random file name}.exe"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\{random key}
DisplayName = "Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Service"
It registers its dropped component as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup. It does this by creating the following registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\{random key}
Other System Modifications
This backdoor adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
Zones\2
2500 = "3"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
Zones\3
2500 = "3"
Propagation
This backdoor uses the following user name and password to gain access to password-protected shares:
- Password
- letmein
- 12345
- 123456
- 1234567
- 12345678
- 123456789
- 1234567890
- qwerty
- iloveyou
- princess
- pussy
- master
- monkey
- abc123
- 99999999
- 9999999
- 999999
- 99999
- 88888888
- 8888888
- 888888
- 88888
- 77777777
- 7777777
- 777777
- 77777
- 66666666
- 6666666
- 666666
- 66666
- 55555555
- 5555555
- 555555
- 55555
- 44444444
- 4444444
- 444444
- 44444
- 33333333
- 3333333
- 333333
- 33333
- 22222222
- 2222222
- 222222
- 22222
- 11111111
- 1111111
- 111111
- 11111
- 00000000
- 0000000
- 00000
- 0987654321
- 987654321
- 87654321
- 7654321
- 654321
- 54321
- super
- secret
- server
- computer
- owner
- backup
- database
- lotus
- oracle
- business
- manager
- temporary
- ihavenopass
- nothing
- nopassword
- nopass
- Internet
- internet
- example
- sample
- love123
- boss123
- work123
- home123
- mypc123
- temp123
- test123
- qwe123
- pw123
- root123
- pass123
- pass12
- pass1
- admin123
- admin12
- admin1
- password123
- password12
- password1
- default
- foobar
- foofoo
- temptemp
- testtest
- rootroot
- zzzzz
- xxxxx
- qqqqq
- aaaaa
- intranet
- controller
- killer
- games
- private
- market
- coffee
- cookie
- forever
- freedom
- student
- account
- academia
- files
- windows
- monitor
- unknown
- anything
- letitbe
- domain
- access
- money
- campus
- explorer
- exchange
- customer
- cluster
- nobody
- codeword
- codename
- changeme
- desktop
- security
- secure
- public
- system
- shadow
- office
- supervisor
- superuser
- share
- adminadmin
- mypassword
- mypass
- Login
- login
- passwd
- zxcvbn
- zxcvb
- zxccxz
- zxcxz
- qazwsxedc
- qazwsx
- q1w2e3
- qweasdzxc
- asdfgh
- asdzxc
- asddsa
- asdsa
- qweasd
- qweewq
- qwewq
- nimda
- administrator
- Admin
- admin
- a1b2c3
- 1q2w3e
- 1234qwer
- 1234abcd
- 123asd
- 123qwe
- 123abc
- 123321
- 12321
- 123123
- James
- Robert
- Michael
- William
- David
- Richard
- Charles
- Joseph
- Thomas
- Christopher
- Daniel
- Donald
- George
- Kenneth
- Steven
- Edward
- Brian
- Ronald
- Anthony
- Kevin
- Patricia
- Linda
- Barbara
- Elizabeth
- Jennifer
- Maria
- Susan
- Margaret
- Dorothy
- Nancy
- Karen
- Betty
- Helen
- Sandra
- Donna
- Carol
- james
- robert
- michael
- william
- david
- richard
- charles
- joseph
- thomas
- christopher
- daniel
- donald
- george
- kenneth
- steven
- edward
- brian
- ronald
- anthony
- kevin
- patricia
- linda
- barbara
- elizabeth
- jennifer
- maria
- susan
- margaret
- dorothy
- nancy
- karen
- betty
- helen
- sandra
- donna
- carol
- baseball
- dragon
- football
- mustang
- superman
- 696969
- batman
- trustno1
Backdoor Routine
This backdoor executes the following commands from a remote malicious user:
- Download and execute component files
- Download configuration and updates
- Download updated copy of itself
- Uninstall itself
- Kill processes
- Upload files containing stolen information
- Perform FTP functionalities
It connects to the following websites to send and receive information:
- http://{BLOCKED}sedkr.biz:443
- http://{BLOCKED}gqoj.net:443
- http://{BLOCKED}hhgzheqksxj.biz:443
- http://{BLOCKED}oltxnorwhtqo.com:443
- http://{BLOCKED}vsotsibqblhvkm.info:443
Process Termination
This backdoor terminates the following processes if found running in the affected system's memory:
- msdev.exe
- dbgview.exe
- ollydbg.exe
- ctfmon.exe
- Proxifier.exe
Information Theft
This backdoor gathers the following data:
- GeoIP locations
- Browser cookies
- Flash cookies
- Network information
- System information
- FTP, POP3, IMAP, SMTP, HTTPMail, NNTP Passwords
- Outlook login credentials
- Private keys from system certificates
- Login credentials for certain websites
- Internet sessions
Other Details
This backdoor connects to the following URL(s) to get the affected system's IP address:
- www.ip-adress.com
It prevents users from visiting antivirus-related websites that contain the following strings:
- siteadvisor.com
- avgthreatlabs.com
- safeweb.norton.com
It deletes itself after execution.
NOTES:
This backdoor connects to a certain IRC server using a specific port and joins a channel where it receives commands from a malicious user. It sends the following information to its C&C server:
- ext_ip
- dnsname
- hostname
- user
- domain
- is_admin
- os
- qbot_version
- install_time
- exe
It also steals stored passwords, cache, and cookies from the following servers:
- 001e6608
- 001e6607
- HTTP Server URL
- HTTPMail Server
- IMAP Server
- NNTP Server
- POP3 Server
- SMTP Server
It monitors the browsing activities of the infected computer and logs all information related to websites containing the following strings:
- ine4biz.com
- .webcashmgmt.com
- tmconnectweb
- moneymanagergps.com
- ibc.klikbca.com
- directpay.wellsfargo.com
- express.53.com
- ctm.53.com
- itreasury.regions.com
- itreasurypr.regions.com
- cpw-achweb.bankofamerica.com
- businessaccess.citibank.citigroup.com
- businessonline.huntington.com
- /cmserver/
- goldleafach.com
- iachwellsprod.wellsfargo.com
- achbatchlisting
- /achupload
- commercial2.wachovia.com
- commercial3.wachovia.com
- commercial4.wachovia.com
- wc.wachovia.com
- commercial.wachovia.com
- wcp.wachovia.com
- chsec.wellsfargo.com
- wellsoffice.wellsfargo.com
- /ibws/
- /stbcorp/
- /payments/ach
- trz.tranzact.org
- /wiret
- /payments/ach
- cbs.firstcitizensonline.com
- /corpach/
- scotiaconnect.scotiabank.com
- webexpress.tdbank.com
- businessonline.tdbank.com
- /wcmpw/
- /wcmpr/
- /wcmtr/
- tcfexpressbusiness.com
- trz.tranzact.org
- geo.query.yahoo.com
- googleusercontent.com
- salesforce.com
- officeapps.live.com
- storage.live.com
- messenger.live.com
- .twimg.com
- api.skype.com
- mail.google.com
- .bing.com
- playtoga.com
- .mozilla.com
- .mozilla.org
- hotbar.com
- lphbs.com
- contacts.msn.com
- search.msn.com
- clients.mindbodyonline.com
- loyaltyconnect.ihg.com
- .amazonaws.com
- audatexsolutions.com
- mail.services.live.com
- etsy.com
- .king.com
- phantomefx.com
- facebook.com
- .gator.com
- doubleclick.
- zango.com
- 180solutions.com
- wildtangent.com
- webhancer.com
- tbreport.bellsouth.net
- spamblockerutility.com
- internet-optimizer.com
- .adworldmedia.com
- seekmo.com
- r777r.info
- sipuku.com
- eorezo.com
- newasp.com.cn
- wpzkq.com
- radialpoint.com
- owlforce.com
- .microsoft.com
- localhost
- 127.0.0.1
- securestudies.com
- farmville.com
- mybrowserbar.com
- auditude.com
- digitalmediacommunications.com
- mapquest.com
- kixeye.com
- myshopres.com
- conduit-services.com
- zynga.com
- .5min.com
- netflix.com
- tubemogul.com
- youtube.com
- brightcove.com
- mochibot.com
- fwmrm.net
- mendeley.com
It sends stolen information to the following FTP servers using specific usernames and passwords to login:
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.195.124.60
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.150.203
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.138.240
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.12.241
SOLUTION
9.800
Step 1
Before doing any scans, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.
Step 2
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as BKDR_QAKBOT.TH
Step 3
Note that not all files, folders, and registry keys and entries are installed on your computer during this malware's/spyware's/grayware's execution. This may be due to incomplete installation or other operating system conditions. If you do not find the same files/folders/registry information, please proceed to the next step.
Step 4
Restart in Safe Mode
Step 5
Delete this registry key
Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this step only if you know how or you can ask assistance from your system administrator. Else, check this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry. Before you could do this, you must restart in Safe Mode. For instructions on how to do this, you may refer to this page If the preceding step requires you to restart in safe mode, you may proceed to edit the system registry.
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
- {random key}
- {random key}
Step 6
Delete this registry value
Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this step only if you know how or you can ask assistance from your system administrator. Else, check this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\2
- 2500 = "3"
- 2500 = "3"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3
- 2500 = "3"
- 2500 = "3"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- {random name} = "%All Users Profile%\Application Data\Microsoft\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe"
- {random name} = "%All Users Profile%\Application Data\Microsoft\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe"
Step 7
Search and delete these folders
- %Application Data%\Microsoft\{random folder}
Step 8
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as BKDR_QAKBOT.TH. 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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