X2KM_POWLOAD.NSFGAIBE

 Analysis by: John Donnie Celestre

 ALIASES:

TrojanDownloader:O97M/Dornoe.A!ams (MICROSOFT), VBA/TrojanDownloader.Agent.KHP (ESET-NOD32)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

58,880 bytes

File Type:

XLS

Initial Samples Received Date:

07 Sep 2018

Installation

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\qqqq.bat
  • %Application Data%\smcatd\ttack_t.exe

(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, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.. %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %Application Data%\smcatd

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

Download Routine

This Trojan connects to the following website(s) to download and execute a malicious file:

  • http://{BLOCKED}.com/neam.meow
  • http://{BLOCKED}arnings.com/neam.meow

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • %User Temp%\stack_t.exe <- detected as TROJ_MERETAM.H

(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, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

14.490.05

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

07 Sep 2018

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

14.491.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

08 Sep 2018

Step 1

Identify and terminate files detected as X2KM_POWLOAD.NSFGAIBE

[ Learn More ]
  1. Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
  2. If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

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

Search and delete these files

[ 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.  
  • %User Temp%\qqqq.bat
  • %User Temp%\stack_t.exe
  • %Application Data%\smcatd\ttack_t.exe

Step 4

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as X2KM_POWLOAD.NSFGAIBE. 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 the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:


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