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BKDR64_BLACKEN.C

March 04, 2016
 Analysis by: Jennifer Gumban
 ALIASES:

Backdoor:Win64/Phdet.A (Microsoft), a variant of Win32/Rootkit.BlackEnergy.BI trojan (NOD32), Backdoor.Win64.Blakken.p (Kaspersky)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Dropped by other malware


This malware is the final payload to the recent BlackEnergy targeted attacks that affected industries in Ukraine. The threat actors behind this attack normally use Excel files as part of their social engineering lure. However, in this case, the document files are employed as ploy to trick users.

To get a one-glance comprehensive view of the behavior of this Backdoor, refer to the Threat Diagram shown below.

This backdoor may be dropped by other malware.

It executes commands from a remote malicious user, effectively compromising the affected system. It connects to a website to send and receive information.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs, Compromises system security

Arrival Details

This backdoor may be dropped by other malware.

Installation

This backdoor drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %AppDataLocal%\FONTCACHE.DAT
    This is executed as follows: rundll32.exe "%AppDataLocal%\FONTCACHE.DAT",#1

(Note: %AppDataLocal% is the Application Data folder found in Local Settings, where it is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on 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 drops the following non-malicious file:

  • %User Profile%\NTUSER.LOG

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

It injects codes into the following process(es):

  • svchost.exe

Autostart Technique

This backdoor drops the following file(s) in the Windows Startup folder to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

  • %User Startup%\{GUID}.lnk

(Note: %User Startup% is the current user's Startup folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows 2000 and XP, and C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

Other System Modifications

This backdoor adds the following registry entries:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\PhishingFilter
Enabled = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
CACHE
Persistent = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing
WarnOnClose = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing
WarnOnCloseAdvanced = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
DisableFirstRunCustomize = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Recovery
NoReopenLastSession = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
NoProtectedModeBanner = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\InformationBar
FirstTime = "0"

Backdoor Routine

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

  • Uninstall
  • Execute shell command
  • Download a file
  • Load plugin

It connects to the following websites to send and receive information:

  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.187.27
    • sends the following: b_id={computer name}_{ID}&b_gen=release&b_ver=2.2&os_v={OS version}&os_type={OS type}

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

12.256.03

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

06 Jan 2016

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

12.257.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

07 Jan 2016

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

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\Internet Explorer\PhishingFilter
    • Enabled = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\CACHE
    • Persistent = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing
    • WarnOnClose = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing
    • WarnOnCloseAdvanced = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
    • DisableFirstRunCustomize = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Recovery
    • NoReopenLastSession = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
    • NoProtectedModeBanner = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\InformationBar
    • FirstTime = "0"

Step 5

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.
  • %User Startup%\{GUID}.lnk

Step 6

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as BKDR64_BLACKEN.C. 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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