BKDR_AGENT.SMOK


 ALIASES:

VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.JH (Microsoft); Downloader-CKA (McAfee); Trojan.Gen (Symantec); Backdoor.Win32.Agent.axjv (Kaspersky); VirTool.Win32.Obfuscator.jh (v) (Sunbelt)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW


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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

41,472 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

18 Oct 2012

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 creates the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\ebd6de52-af88-481b-8fb5-cd117217d9d5

(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 and 7.)

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_45 = "{random characters}"

Other System Modifications

This backdoor modifies the following file(s):

  • %System%\drivers\etc\hosts

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)

It deletes the following files:

  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_1.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_2.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_3.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_4.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_5.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_6.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_7.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_8.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_9.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_10.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_11.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_12.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_13.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_14.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_15.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_16.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_17.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_18.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_19.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_20.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_21.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_22.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_23.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_24.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_25.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_26.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_27.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_28.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_29.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_30.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_31.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_32.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_33.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_34.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_35.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_36.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_37.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_38.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_39.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_40.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_41.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_42.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_43.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_44.avi

(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 adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Cryptography

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Cryptography
MachineGuid = "ebd6de52-af88-481b-8fb5-cd117217d9d5"

Dropping Routine

This backdoor drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\ebd6de52-af88-481b-8fb5-cd117217d9d5\wrk1.tmp_45
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_45.avi

(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 and 7.. %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.)

Other Details

This backdoor connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}216.252/hit.php?{random characters}

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.200

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

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
    • Cryptography

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\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • 6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_45 = "{random characters}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Cryptography
    • MachineGuid = "ebd6de52-af88-481b-8fb5-cd117217d9d5"

Step 5

Search and delete these components

[ Learn More ]
There may be some components 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%\ebd6de52-af88-481b-8fb5-cd117217d9d5\wrk1.tmp_45
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_45.avi

Step 6

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.
  • %User Temp%\ebd6de52-af88-481b-8fb5-cd117217d9d5

Step 7

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

    • %System%\drivers\etc\hosts

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.

  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_1.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_2.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_3.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_4.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_5.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_6.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_7.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_8.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_9.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_10.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_11.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_12.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_13.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_14.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_15.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_16.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_17.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_18.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_19.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_20.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_21.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_22.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_23.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_24.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_25.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_26.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_27.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_28.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_29.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_30.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_31.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_32.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_33.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_34.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_35.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_36.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_37.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_38.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_39.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_40.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_41.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_42.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_43.avi
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\6abce574-4afc-42c5-8ab9-5739a84d8a8b_44.avi


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