BKDR_PLUGX.POY

 Analysis by: Jimelle Monteser

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)

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

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware

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. It arrives as a component bundled with malware/grayware packages.

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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

2,560 bytes

File Type:

DLL

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

14 May 2014

Payload:

Compromises system security, Drops files

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.

It arrives as a component bundled with malware/grayware packages.

Installation

This backdoor adds the following folders:

  • %All Users Profile%\ActiveX

(Note: %All Users Profile% is the All Users folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\ProgramData 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 injects codes into the following process(es):

  • iexplore.exe
  • svchost.exe

Other System Modifications

This backdoor creates the following registry entry(ies) to bypass Windows Firewall:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\
List
%Program Files%\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE = "%Program Files%\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE:*:Enabled:Internet Explorer"

Propagation

This backdoor does not have any propagation routine.

Backdoor Routine

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

  • Copy, move, rename, delete files
  • Create directories
  • Create files
  • Enumerate files
  • Execute files
  • Get drive information
  • Get file information
  • Open and modify files
  • Log keystrokes and active window
  • Enumerate TCP and UDP connections
  • Enumerate network resources
  • Set TCP connection state
  • Lock workstation
  • Log off user
  • Restart/Reboot system
  • Display a message box
  • Perfrom port mapping
  • Enumerate processes
  • Get process information
  • Terminate processes
  • Enumerate registry keys
  • Create registry keys
  • Delete registry keys
  • Copy registry keys
  • Enumerate registry entries
  • Modify registry entries
  • Delete registry values
  • Screen capture
  • Delete services
  • Enumerate services
  • Get service information
  • Modify services
  • Start services
  • Perform remote shell
  • Connect to a database server and execute SQL statement
  • Host Telnet server
  • Download files

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

  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.190.150:443/{random}

Dropping Routine

This backdoor drops the following files:

  • %All Users Profile%\ActiveX\otf
  • %All Users Profile%\ActiveX\{random} - encrypted stolen information

(Note: %All Users Profile% is the All Users folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\ProgramData 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.)

NOTES:

It does not have rootkit capabilities.

It does not exploit any vulnerability.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.700

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

10.794.04

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

14 May 2014

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

10.795.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

15 May 2014

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 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\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\List
    • %Program Files%\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE = "%Program Files%\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE:*:Enabled:Internet Explorer"

Step 4

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.
  • %All Users Profile%\ActiveX

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as BKDR_PLUGX.POY. 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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