BKDR_GENOME.CI

October 09, 2012
 Analysis by: Kathleen Notario
 Modified by: Mark Joseph Manahan
 ALIASES:

Trojan.Win32.Genome.abebk (Kaspersky)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Dropped by other malware

This backdoor may connect to a certain website to inform a remote user of its installation and to send information such as IP address, user name, and OS information.

This backdoor may be dropped by other malware.

It does not have any propagation routine.

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

It executes the dropped file(s). As a result, malicious routines of the dropped files are exhibited on the affected system.

It does not have any downloading capability.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

40,960 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

23 Mar 2012

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs, Compromises system security

Arrival Details

This backdoor may be dropped by the following malware:

  • TROJ_SHELLCOD.CI
  • TROJ_MDROPPR.XL

Installation

This backdoor drops the following files:

  • %System%\com32.dll - also detected as BKDR_GENOME.CI

(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.)

Autostart Technique

This backdoor registers itself as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup by adding the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\COMSysHlp
ImagePath = "%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k COMSysHlp"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\COMSysHlp\Parameters
ServiceDll = "%SystemRoot%\system32\com32.dll"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SvcHost
COMSysHlp = "COMSysHlp"

Propagation

This backdoor does not have any propagation routine.

Backdoor Routine

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

  • Create/delete file
  • Execute command shell
  • Execute process
  • Get drive information
  • List files
  • Restart system
  • Send IP address, user name, and OS information
  • Shut down system

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

  • modify.{BLOCKED}a.net

Dropping Routine

This backdoor executes the dropped file(s). As a result, malicious routines of the dropped files are exhibited on the affected system.

Download Routine

This backdoor does not have any downloading capability.

NOTES:

This backdoor may also connect to modify.{BLOCKED}a.net using Port 6542 to inform a remote user of its installation and to send information such as IP address, user name, and OS information (OS Version, Product Type, Build Number).

It does not have rootkit capabilities.

It does not exploit any vulnerability.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.200

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

8.872.03

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

29 Mar 2012

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

8.873.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

30 Mar 2012

Step 1

For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.

Step 2

Remove the malware/grayware file that dropped/downloaded BKDR_GENOME.CI

Step 3

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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.

 
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
    • COMSysHlp

Step 5

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Svchost
    • COMSysHlp = "COMSysHlp"

Step 6

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