BKDR_PLUGX.WPD

March 18, 2013
 Analysis by: Nikko Tamana
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)

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

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

319,488 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

12 Mar 2013

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:

  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\SxS\bug.log

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\SxS

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

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
AdobeUTG Updating = "{Malware path and filename}.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
AdobeUTG Updating = "{Malware path and filename}.exe"

Other System Modifications

This backdoor adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MJ

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\
MJ

It adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MJ
CLSID = {Random values}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\
MJ
CLSID = {Random values}

Other Details

This backdoor connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.100.50:443/update?id={random values}

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

9.790.05

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

15 Mar 2013

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

9.791.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

16 Mar 2013

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_PLUGX.WPD

Step 3

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 4

Delete this registry key

[ 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_CLASSES_ROOT
    • MJ
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes
    • MJ

Step 5

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
    • AdobeUTG Updating = "{Malware path and filename}.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • AdobeUTG Updating = "{Malware path and filename}.exe"

Step 6

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.
  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\SxS

Step 7

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