BKDR_PLUGX.RYM

August 04, 2017
 Analysis by: Ryan Paolo Maglaque
 ALIASES:

Backdoor.Korplug(Norton);Trojan:MSIL/Plugx!dha(Microsoft)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Dropped by other malware, Downloaded from the Internet

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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

236,016 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

08 Jun 2017

Payload:

Executes files, Steals information, Logs keystrokes, Restarts system, Terminates processes

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:

  • %ProgramData%\oxByjgHmafmGRUF\{Random letters}

(Note: %ProgramData% is the Program Data folder, where it usually is C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\ProgramData in 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 adds the following processes:

  • mscorsvw.exe

It adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:

  • Global\vKvOoCHUsLCuAXm

It injects codes into the following process(es):

  • created mscorsvw.exe

Backdoor Routine

This Backdoor executes the following commands from a remote malicious user:

  • Copy, move, rename, delete files
  • Create directories
  • Create files
  • Enumerate files
  • Execute files
  • Get drive information
  • Get file information
  • Open and modify files
  • Log keystrokes and active window
  • Enumerate TCP and UDP connections
  • Enumerate network resources
  • Set TCP connection state
  • Lock workstation
  • Log off user
  • Restart/Reboot/Shutdown system
  • Display a message box
  • Perfrom port mapping
  • Enumerate processes
  • Get process information
  • Terminate processes
  • Enumerate registry keys
  • Create registry keys
  • Delete registry keys
  • Copy registry keys
  • Enumerate registry entries
  • Modify registry entries
  • Delete registry values
  • Screen capture
  • Delete services
  • Enumerate services
  • Get service information
  • Modify services
  • Start services
  • Perform remote shell
  • Host Telnet server
  • Connect to a database server and execute SQL statement

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

13.566.05

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

31 Jul 2017

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

13.567.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

01 Aug 2017

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

Search and delete this file

[ Learn More ]
There may be some 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.  
  • %ProgramData%\oxByjgHmafmGRUF\{Random letters}

Step 5

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