WORM_AUTORUN.AQ

October 12, 2012
 ALIASES:

VirTool:Win32/VBInject.RT (Microsoft); PAK:ASPack, ARC:Embedded (Kaspersky); Trojan.Win32.Generic!BT (Sunbelt); Gen:Trojan.Heur.AutoIT.2 (FSecure)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Worm

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

It modifies files, disabling programs and applications from properly running.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

2,068,524 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

30 Dec 2011

Arrival Details

This worm 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 worm creates the following folders:

  • %Application Data%\Microsoft
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Windows Updates

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name} on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name} on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Windows Defender = "%User Profile%\Windows Updates\DARTY.exe"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Windows Defender = "%User Profile%\Windows Updates\DARTY.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Active Setup\Installed Components\{B2AAFEEB-F8BC-F806-BFAB-E2CE7C429F51}
StubPath = "%User Profile%\Windows Updates\DARTY.exe"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Active Setup\Installed Components\{B2AAFEEB-F8BC-F806-BFAB-E2CE7C429F51}
StubPath = "%User Profile%\Windows Updates\DARTY.exe"

Other System Modifications

This worm modifies the following files:

  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.XML
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.DTD

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

It deletes the following files:

  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNSR.XML

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

It adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Health\{A3141E07-F67C-4BD1-B197-B662E1DB9EF2}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\
MMS

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\
HTTP

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\
RTSP

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
Explorer\run

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Active Setup\Installed Components\{B2AAFEEB-F8BC-F806-BFAB-E2CE7C429F51}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Active Setup\Installed Components\{B2AAFEEB-F8BC-F806-BFAB-E2CE7C429F51}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\
SrvID\ID

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\
INSTALL\DATE

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows Media\WMSDK\General
UniqueID = "{D11F7578-1247-4809-BC65-C44604D84967}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows Media\WMSDK\General
ComputerName = "WILBERT-FEF77EF"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows Media\WMSDK\General
VolumeSerialNumber = 68adfd

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows Media\WMSDK\Namespace
LocalBase = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.XML"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows Media\WMSDK\Namespace
DTDFile = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.DTD"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows Media\WMSDK\Namespace
LocalDelta = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNSD.XML"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows Media\WMSDK\Namespace
RemoteDelta = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNSR.XML"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\
MMS
ProxyPort = 6db

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\
HTTP
ProxyStyle = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\
HTTP
ProxyPort = 5

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\
RTSP
ProxyPort = 22a

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Player\Tasks\
NowPlaying
InitFlags = 1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
Explorer\run
Windows Defender = "%User Profile%\Windows Updates\DARTY.exe"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\
SrvID\ID
YD1PK585IW = "WoRM"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\
INSTALL\DATE
YD1PK585IW = "December 29, 2011"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\
List
%User Temp%\{malware file name}.exe = {random characters}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\
List
%User Profile%\Windows Updates\DARTY.exe = {random characters}

Dropping Routine

This worm drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\aut1.tmp
  • %User Temp%\ihpdbfu
  • %User Temp%\~eudnndp.tmp
  • %User Temp%\~pvdojnp.tmp
  • %User Temp%\~mptoijl.tmp
  • %User Temp%\~tmneywy.tmp
  • A:\autorun.inf
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.XML.bak
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.XML.done
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNSD.XML
  • %User Profile%\Windows Updates\DARTY.exe
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.XML

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.. %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name} on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name} on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

Other Details

This worm connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}atebay.org/top/301
  • http://{BLOCKED}atebay.org/top/401

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.200

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Health
    • {A3141E07-F67C-4BD1-B197-B662E1DB9EF2}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences
    • ProxySettings
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings
    • MMS
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings
    • HTTP
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings
    • RTSP
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer
    • run
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components
    • {B2AAFEEB-F8BC-F806-BFAB-E2CE7C429F51}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components
    • {B2AAFEEB-F8BC-F806-BFAB-E2CE7C429F51}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\SrvID
    • ID
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\INSTALL
    • DATE

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • Windows Defender="%User Profile%\Windows Updates\DARTY.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • Windows Defender="%User Profile%\Windows Updates\DARTY.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{B2AAFEEB-F8BC-F806-BFAB-E2CE7C429F51}
    • StubPath="%User Profile%\Windows Updates\DARTY.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{B2AAFEEB-F8BC-F806-BFAB-E2CE7C429F51}
    • StubPath="%User Profile%\Windows Updates\DARTY.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Media\WMSDK\General
    • UniqueID="{D11F7578-1247-4809-BC65-C44604D84967}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Media\WMSDK\General
    • ComputerName="WILBERT-FEF77EF"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Media\WMSDK\General
    • VolumeSerialNumber=68adfd
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Media\WMSDK\Namespace
    • LocalBase="%Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.XML"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Media\WMSDK\Namespace
    • DTDFile="%Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.DTD"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Media\WMSDK\Namespace
    • LocalDelta="%Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNSD.XML"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Media\WMSDK\Namespace
    • RemoteDelta="%Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNSR.XML"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\MMS
    • ProxyPort=6db
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\HTTP
    • ProxyStyle=1
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\HTTP
    • ProxyPort=5
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\RTSP
    • ProxyPort=22a
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Player\Tasks\NowPlaying
    • InitFlags=1
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer\run
    • Windows Defender="%User Profile%\Windows Updates\DARTY.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\SrvID\ID
    • YD1PK585IW="WoRM"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\INSTALL\DATE
    • YD1PK585IW="December 29, 2011"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\List
    • %User Temp%\{malware file name}.exe={random characters}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\List
    • %User Profile%\Windows Updates\DARTY.exe={random characters}

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.
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Windows Updates

Step 6

Search and delete these files

[ 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.
  • %User Temp%\aut1.tmp
  • %User Temp%\ihpdbfu
  • %User Temp%\~eudnndp.tmp
  • %User Temp%\~pvdojnp.tmp
  • %User Temp%\~mptoijl.tmp
  • %User Temp%\~tmneywy.tmp
  • A:\autorun.inf
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.XML.bak
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.XML.done
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNSD.XML
  • %User Profile%\Windows Updates\DARTY.exe
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.XML

Step 7

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

Step 8

Restore deleted/modified files and/or registry entries from backup

*Note: Only Microsoft-related files/keys/values will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted registry keys/values related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on your computer.

    • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.XML
    • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.DTD

Step 9

Restore this file from backup only Microsoft-related files will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted files related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on you computer again. %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNSR.XML


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