WORM_DORKBOT.CF

October 09, 2012
 Analysis by: Kathleen Notario
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Worm

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • 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 deletes the initially executed copy of itself.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

136,192 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

20 Jan 2012

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 drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Giwuwa.exe

(Note: %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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Giwuwa = "%User Profile%\Application Data\Giwuwa.exe"

Propagation

This worm creates the following folders in all removable drives:

  • RECYCLER

It drops the following copy(ies) of itself in all removable drives:

  • {Removable Drive}:\RECYCLER\0x{random}.exe

Backdoor Routine

This worm connects to any of the following IRC server(s):

  • av.{BLOCKED}en.cc
  • av.{BLOCKED}nc.cz

    Other Details

    This worm connects to the following URL(s) to get the affected system's IP address:

    • http://api.wipmania.com

    It deletes the initially executed copy of itself

    NOTES:

    It then searches for folders in removable drives then creates an .LNK file as {folder name}.lnk that points to the malware copy. It then sets the attribute of the original folder to Read-Only, Hidden and System to trick users into thinking that they are opening the legitimate folder.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.200

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

8.730.02

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

24 Jan 2012

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

8.731.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

25 Jan 2012

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 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
    • Giwuwa = "%User Profile%\Application Data\Giwuwa.exe"

Step 4

Search and delete this folder

[ 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}:\RECYCLER

Step 5

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.
  • {Removable Drive}:\{folder name}.lnk

Step 6

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