TROJ_EQUATED.LZCMU

July 31, 2018

Analysis by: Augusto II Remillano

ALIASES:

TR/EquationDrug.nwhit (Antivir), Trojan.Win32.EquationDrug.le (Kaspersky)

PLATFORM:

Windows

OVERALL RISK RATING:

DAMAGE POTENTIAL:

DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:

REPORTED INFECTION:

INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

Threat Type: Trojan
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: Yes
In the wild: Yes

OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware

This Trojan arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

As of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

It terminates itself if it detects it is being run in a virtual environment. It deletes the initially executed copy of itself. It uses the system's central processing unit (CPU) and/or graphical processing unit (GPU) resources to mine cryptocurrency.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

6,635,520 bytes

File Type:

EXE

File Compression:

Themida

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

13 Jul 2018

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs, Downloads files, Drops files, Modifies system registry, Steals information

Arrival Details

This Trojan 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 Trojan drops the following copies of itself into the affected system and executes them:

%Windows%\IIS\CPUInfo.exe

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

%Windows%\boy.exe

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

It creates the following folders:

%Windows%\IIS

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
run = "%Windows%\boy.exe"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
load = "%Windows%\boy.exe"

It adds and runs the following services:

Service Name: Application Layre Gateway Service
Display Name: Can not be deleted
Start Type: SERVICE_DEMAND_START
Binary Pathname: cmd.exe /c start %Windows%\boy.exe

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

It modifies the following registry entries to ensure it automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
shell = "Explorer.exe %Windows%\boy.exe"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is "explorer.exe".)

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
service\iis

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
service\iis\Parameters

It adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\iis
Start = "2"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\iis
ImagePath = "%Windows%\IIS\srvany.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\iis
DisplayName = "iis"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\iis
Description =

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\iis\Parameters
AppDirectory = "%Windows%\IIS\"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\iis\Parameters
SrvanyUI = {GUID Value}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\iis
ErrorControl = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\iis
ObjectName = "LocalSystem"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\iis\Parameters
Application = "%Windows%\IIS\CPUInfo.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\iis
Type = "16"

Download Routine

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

http://http.{BLOCKED}ce.org:443/1
http://gx.{BLOCKED}ce.org:8888/gx.exe

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

%Windows%\IIS\gx.exe
%Windows%\IIS\HTTP.exe

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

As of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

Other Details

This Trojan connects to the following URL(s) to get the affected system's IP address:

http://ip.{BLOCKED}2.net/

It drops the following file(s)/component(s):

%Windows%\end.bat - batch file changing the firewall settings
%Windows%\IIS\1.BAT - changes the registry of affected system to run the malware copy every system startup
%Windows%\IIS\adfw.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\adfw-2.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\chrome..exe - detected as BKDR_EQUATED.LZCMU
%Windows%\IIS\chrome..fb - BKDR_EQUATED.LZCMU component
%Windows%\IIS\chrome..xml - BKDR_EQUATED.LZCMU component
%Windows%\IIS\cnli-0.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\cnli-1.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\coli-0.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\com.dll - text containing IP addresses
%Windows%\IIS\crli-0.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\csrs.exe - detected as Coinminer_MALXMR.SM-WIN32
%Windows%\IIS\Cstr.exe - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.LZCMT
%Windows%\IIS\Cstr.fb - TROJ_EQUATED.LZCMT component
%Windows%\IIS\Cstr.xml - TROJ_EQUATED.LZCMT component
%Windows%\IIS\dmgd-1.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\dmgd-4.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\esco-0.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\Esteemaudit-2.1.0.exe - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\Esteemaudit-2.1.0.fb - TROJ_EQUATED.J component
%Windows%\IIS\Esteemaudit-2.1.0.xml - TROJ_EQUATED.J component
%Windows%\IIS\Esteemaudittouch-2.1.0.exe - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\Esteemaudittouch-2.1.0.fb - TROJ_EQUATED.J component
%Windows%\IIS\Esteemaudittouch-2.1.0.xml - TROJ_EQUATED.J component
%Windows%\IIS\etch-0.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\etchCore-0.x64.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\etchCore-0.x86.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\eteb-2.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\etebCore-2.x64.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\etebCore-2.x86.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\Eternalchampion-2.0.0.exe - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\Eternalchampion-2.0.0.fb - TROJ_EQUATED.J component
%Windows%\IIS\Eternalchampion-2.0.0.xml - TROJ_EQUATED.J component
%Windows%\IIS\exma.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\exma-1.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\iconv.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\iis.reg - used by 1.BAT, registry settings
%Windows%\IIS\libcurl.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\libeay32.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\libiconv-2.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\libxml2.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.K
%Windows%\IIS\pcla-0.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\pcre-0.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\pcrecpp-0.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\pcreposix-0.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\posh.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\posh-0.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\qdx.bat - schedules a task that runs the malware copy every system startup
%Windows%\IIS\result.txt - log file
%Windows%\IIS\riar.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\riar-2.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\s.bat - executes svchost.exe
%Windows%\IIS\s1.txt - text containing IP addresses
%Windows%\IIS\s2.txt - text containing IP addresses
%Windows%\IIS\smss.exe - detected as Coinminer_MALXMR.TIDBFAN-WIN32
%Windows%\IIS\srvany.exe - non-malicious file
%Windows%\IIS\ssleay32.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\svchost.exe - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\tibe.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\tibe-1.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\tibe-2.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\trch.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\trch-0.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\trch-1.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\trfo.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\trfo-0.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\trfo-2.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\tucl.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\tucl-1.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\ucl.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\x64.dll - for 64-bit OS, detected as TROJ_DLOADR.AUSUMH
%Windows%\IIS\x86.dll - for 32-bit OS, detected as TROJ_DLOADR.AUSUMH
%Windows%\IIS\xdvl-0.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\zibe.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\IIS\zlib1.dll - detected as TROJ_EQUATED.J
%Windows%\SB360.bat - batch file, adds an ipsec filter blocking specific network traffic

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

It terminates itself if it detects it is being run in a virtual environment.

It does the following:

It scans the following to check for open port 445:
- X.X.0.0 - X.X.255.255 (where X.X is the first 2 values of IP address affected host)
- Local network IP addresses
It will then attempt to exploit MS17-010 vulnerability to inject and execute one of the following files on the remote host:
- %Windows%\IIS\x64.dll - for 64-bit OS, detected as TROJ_DLOADR.AUSUMH
- %Windows%\IIS\x86.dll - for 32-bit OS, detected as TROJ_DLOADR.AUSUMH
The batch file %Windows%\end.bat executes the following commands:
- netsh ipsec static add policy name=ipsec_ply
- netsh ipsec static add filterlist name=deny_pt
- netsh ipsec static add filterlist name=allow_pt
- netsh ipsec static add filter filterlist=deny_pt srcaddr=any dstaddr=ME dstport=445 protocol=TCP
- netsh ipsec static add filter filterlist=deny_pt srcaddr=any dstaddr=ME dstport=139 protocol=TCP
- netsh ipsec static add filteraction name=deny action=block
- netsh ipsec static add filteraction name=allow action=negotiate
- netsh ipsec static add rule name=deny policy=ipsec_ply filterlist=deny_pt filteraction=deny
- netsh ipsec static add rule name=allow policy=ipsec_ply filterlist=allow_pt filteraction=allow psk="(@=P#$bV4$"
- netsh ipsec static set policy name=ipsec_ply assign=y
Executes the following command that creates a scheduled task:
schtasks.exe /create /TN "\Microsoft\Windows\UPnP\Services" /RU SYSTEM /TR "%WinDir%\IIS\CPUInfo.exe" /SC ONSTART
The batch file %Windows%\SD360.bat executes the following commands:
- netsh ipsec static add policy name=qianye
- netsh ipsec static add filterlist name=Filter1
- netsh ipsec static add filter filterlist=Filter1 srcaddr=any dstaddr=Me dstport=135 protocol=TCP
- netsh ipsec static add filter filterlist=Filter1 srcaddr=any dstaddr=Me dstport=139 protocol=TCP
- netsh ipsec static add filter filterlist=Filter1 srcaddr=any dstaddr=Me dstport=445 protocol=TCP
- netsh ipsec static add filter filterlist=Filter1 srcaddr=any dstaddr=Me dstport=1443 protocol=TCP
- netsh ipsec static add filter filterlist=Filter1 srcaddr=any dstaddr=Me dstport=1444 protocol=TCP
- netsh ipsec static add filter filterlist=Filter1 srcaddr=any dstaddr=Me dstport=135 protocol=UDP
- netsh ipsec static add filter filterlist=Filter1 srcaddr=any dstaddr=Me dstport=139 protocol=UDP
- netsh ipsec static add filter filterlist=Filter1 srcaddr=any dstaddr=Me dstport=445 protocol=UDP
- netsh ipsec static add filter filterlist=Filter1 srcaddr=any dstaddr=Me dstport=1443 protocol=UDP
- netsh ipsec static add filter filterlist=Filter1 srcaddr=any dstaddr=Me dstport=1444 protocol=UDP
- netsh ipsec static add filteraction name=FilteraAtion1 action=block
- netsh ipsec static add rule name=Rule1 policy=qianye filterlist=Filter1 filteraction=FilteraAtion1
- netsh ipsec static set policy name=qianye assign=y
It executes the following command to mine cryptocurrency:
%Windows%\IIS\csrs.exe -o stratum+tcp://nicehash.{BLOCKED}ce.org:8080 -o stratum+tcp://note.{BLOCKED}ce.org:443 -o stratum+tcp://note1.{BLOCKED}ce.org:5555 -u {BLOCKED}Gz45tJZ3g84rpYtw78J2UQQaCiH6SkozGKHyTV2Lkd7GtsMjurZkk8B9wKJ2uCAKdMLQ -p x -k --donate-level=1
Connects to the following mining servers:
- stratum+tcp://nicehash.{BLOCKED}ce.org:8080
- stratum+tcp://note.{BLOCKED}ce.org:443
- stratum+tcp://note1.{BLOCKED}ce.org:5555

It deletes the initially executed copy of itself

It accesses the following URL(s) to get the affected system's location:

http://www.{BLOCKED}8.com/ips138.asp?ip={ip address of affected system}

It uses the system's central processing unit (CPU) and/or graphical processing unit (GPU) resources to mine cryptocurrency. This behavior makes the system run abnormally slow.

SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

14.376.05

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

13 Jul 2018

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

14.377.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

14 Jul 2018

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

Identify and delete files detected as TROJ_EQUATED.LZCMU using the Recovery Console

[ Learn More ]

To identify and delete of malware/grayware files:

• On Windows XP and Server 2003 systems:

Insert your Windows Installation CD in your CD-rom.
Press the restart button of your computer.
When prompted, press any key to boot from the CD.
When prompted on the Main Menu, type r to enter the recovery console.
(Note: On Windows 2000, after pressing r, type c to choose the Recovery Console in the repair options screen.)
When prompted, type your administrator password to log on.
Once logged in, type the drive that contains Windows in the command prompt that appears, then press Enter.
Type the drive that contains Windows, then press Enter.
Type the following, then press Enter:
SET AllowAllPaths = TRUE
del {malware/grayware path and file name}
Repeat the above procedure for all files detected earlier.
Type exit to restart the system.

• On Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 systems:

Insert your Windows Installation DVD in the DVD drive, then restart your computer.
When prompted, press any key to boot from the DVD.
Depending on your Windows Installation DVD, you might be required to select the installation language. Then on the Install Windows window, choose your language, locale, and keyboard layout or input method. Click Next, then click Repair your computer.
Select Use recovery tools that can help fix problems starting Windows. Select your installation of Windows. Click Next.
If the Startup Repair window appears, click Cancel, Yes, then Finish.
In the System Recovery Options window, click Command Prompt.
In the Command Prompt window, type the following then press Enter:
BootRec.exe /fixmbr
del "{malware/grayware path and file name}"
Repeat the above procedure for all files detected earlier.
Type exit and press Enter to close the Command Prompt window.
Click Restart to restart the system normally.

• On Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 systems:

Insert your Windows Installation DVD in the DVD drive, then restart your computer.
When prompted, press any key to boot from the DVD.
Depending on your Windows Installation DVD, you might be required to select the keyboard layout. Then on the Windows Setup window, choose your language, locale, and input method. Click Next, then click Repair your computer.
Click Troubleshoot>Advanced Options>Command Prompt.
In the Command Prompt window, type the following then press Enter:
BootRec.exe /fixmbr
del "{malware/grayware path and file name}"
Repeat the above procedure for all files detected earlier.
Type exit and press Enter to close the Command Prompt window.
Click Continue to restart the system normally.

Step 4

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. Before you could do this, you must restart in Safe Mode. For instructions on how to do this, you may refer to this page If the preceding step requires you to restart in safe mode, you may proceed to edit the system registry.

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\service
- iis
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\service
- Application Layre Gateway Service

Step 5

Delete this registry value

[ Learn More ]

In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
- run = "%Windows%\boy.exe"
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
- load = "%Windows%\boy.exe"

Step 6

Restore this modified registry value

[ Learn More ]

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
- shell = "Explorer.exe"

Step 7

Deleting Scheduled Tasks

The following {Task Name} - {Task to be run} listed should be used in the steps identified below:

\Microsoft\Windows\UPnP\Services - %WinDir%\IIS\CPUInfo.exe

For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:

Open the Windows Scheduled Tasks. Click Start>Programs>Accessories>
System Tools>Scheduled Tasks.
Locate each {Task Name} values listed above in the Name column.
Right-click on the said file(s) with the aforementioned value.
Click on Properties. In the Run field, check for the listed {Task to be run}.
If the strings match the list above, delete the task.

For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:

Open the Windows Task Scheduler. To do this:
• On Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008, click Start, type taskschd.msc in the Search input field, then press Enter.
• On Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Run, type taskschd.msc, then press Enter.
In the left panel, click Task Scheduler Library.
In the upper-middle panel, locate each {Task Name} values listed above in the Name column.
In the lower-middle panel, click the Actions tab. In the Details column, check for the {Task to be run} string.
If the said string is found, delete the task.

Step 8

Search and delete these folders

[ 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.

%Windows%\IIS

Step 9

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.

%Windows%\end.bat
%Windows%\boy.exe
%Windows%\SB360.bat

Step 10

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TROJ_EQUATED.LZCMU. 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 11

Download and apply this security patch Refrain from using these products until the appropriate patches have been installed. Trend Micro advises users to download critical patches upon release by vendors.

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS17-010

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TROJ_EQUATED.LZCMU

OVERVIEW

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SOLUTION

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