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TROJ_QADARS.NZS

August 21, 2018
 Modified by: Augusto II Remillano
 ALIASES:

Trojan.Win32.Qadars (Ikarus), Win32/Qadars.AT trojan (NOD32)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

It terminates itself if it detects it is being run in a virtual environment. It deletes the initially executed copy of itself.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

343,552 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

13 Aug 2018

Arrival Details

This Trojan 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 Trojan drops a copy of itself in the following folders using different file names:

  • %ProgramData%\{GUID Value}\3bc8dd71.exe

(Note: %ProgramData% is a version of the Program Files folder where any user on a multi-user computer can make changes to programs. This contains application data for all users. This is usually C:\ProgramData in Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

It drops the following files:

  • {Removable drive letter}\{GUID Value}\{GUID Value}.exe

Autostart Technique

This Trojan adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{GUID Value} = "%ProgramData%\{GUID Value}\3bc8dd71.exe"

Propagation

This Trojan creates the following folders in all removable drives:

  • {Removable drive letter}\{GUID Value}

Other Details

This Trojan terminates itself if it detects it is being run in a virtual environment.

It does the following:

  • It creates shortcut files (.LNK) disguised as folders or files located on the affected drives pointing to its dropped file.

It deletes the initially executed copy of itself

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

14.440.04

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

13 Aug 2018

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

14.441.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

14 Aug 2018

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

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 3

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 4

Delete this registry value

[ Learn More ]

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\Run
    • {GUID Value} = "%ProgramData%\{GUID Value}\3bc8dd71.exe"

Step 5

Search and delete these folders

[ Learn More ]
Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden folders in the search result.
  • {Removable drive letter}\{GUID Value}

Step 6

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TROJ_QADARS.NZS. 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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