BKDR_DARKMOON

This description is based is a compiled analysis of several variants of BKDR_DARKMOON. Note that specific data such as file names and registry values may vary for each variant.

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.

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 copies of itself into the affected system:

• %System%\{malware file name}.exe (if not logged in as an administrator)
• %System%:{malware file name}.exe (if logged in as an administrator)

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\System32 on Windows NT and 2000, or C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP and Server 2003.)

It injects itself into the following processes running in the affected system's memory:

• explorer.exe

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Active Setup\Installed Components\{random CLSID}
StubPath = "%System%:{malware file name}.exe" or "%System%\{malware file name}.exe"

Other System Modifications

This backdoor adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Local AppWizard-Generated Applications

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Active Setup\Installed Components\{random CLSID}

Other Details

This backdoor connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

• http://{BLOCKED}dns.dyndns-blog.com
• email-dns.{BLOCKED}s-blog.com

NOTES:

This description is based is a compiled analysis of several variants of BKDR_DARKMOON. Note that specific data such as file names and registry values may vary for each variant.