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WORM_PHORPIEX.THFADAI

September 07, 2018
 Analysis by: Kiyoshi Obuchi
 ALIASES:

Backdoor.Win32.Androm.qazp (Kasperesky); Trojan-FPST!68FC74296394 (McAfee)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Worm

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware


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

It drops copies of itself into network drives.

It connects to certain websites to send and receive information.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

753,664 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

21 Jun 2018

Payload:

Deletes files, Connects to URLs/IPs, Drops files

Arrival Details

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

  • %Windows%\T-740470504057570408\winsvc.exe

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

It drops the following files:

  • {removable and network drive letter}:\.lnk -> shortcut to {removable and network drive letter}:\_\DeviceManager.exe
  • %Application Data%\winmgr.txt

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %Windows%\T-740470504057570408
  • {removable and network drive letter}:\_

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

It adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:

  • ::.__-TLDR-__.::

It terminates itself if it finds the following processes in the affected system's memory:

  • python.exe
  • pythonw.exe
  • prl_cc.exe
  • prl_tools.exe
  • vmsrvc.exe
  • vmusrvc.exe
  • xenservice.exe
  • vboxservice.exe
  • vboxtray.exe
  • vboxcontrol.exe
  • vmwareservice.exe
  • vmwaretray.exe
  • tpautoconnsvc.exe
  • vmtoolsd.exe
  • vmwareuser.exe

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Microsoft Windows Service = "%Windows%\T-740470504057570408\winsvc.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Microsoft Windows Service = "%Windows%\T-740470504057570408\winsvc.exe"

Other System Modifications

This Worm deletes the following files:

  • {removable and network drive letter}:\{file name}.lnk
  • {removable and network drive letter}:\{file name}.vbs
  • {removable and network drive letter}:\{file name}.bat
  • {removable and network drive letter}:\{file name}.js
  • {removable and network drive letter}:\{file name}.scr
  • {removable and network drive letter}:\{file name}.com
  • {removable and network drive letter}:\{file name}.jse
  • {removable and network drive letter}:\{file name}.cmd
  • {removable and network drive letter}:\{file name}.pif
  • {removable and network drive letter}:\{file name}.jar
  • {removable and network drive letter}:\{file name}.dll
  • {removable and network drive letter}:\autorun.inf
  • {removable and network drive letter}:\_\DeviceConfigManager.exe

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows Defender
DisableAntiSpyware = "1"

Propagation

This Worm drops the following copy(ies) of itself in all removable drives:

  • {removable and network drive letter}:\_\DeviceManager.exe

It drops copies of itself into network drives.

Download Routine

This Worm connects to the following URL(s) to download its component file(s):

  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.197.112/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}huuoooapl.ru/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}uhoauengi.ru/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}oefhgoajo.ru/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}fheaighai.ru/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}iaiduihgs.ru/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}zieidiebg.ru/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}hiazegfiz.ru/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}uhduadhug.ru/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}akludkosa.ru/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}huuoooapl.su/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}uhoauengi.su/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}oefhgoajo.su/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}jaediaehf.su/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}fheaighai.su/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}iaiduihgs.su/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}zieidiebg.su/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}hiazegfiz.su/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}uhduadhug.su/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}akludkosa.su/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}huuoooapl.in/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}uhoauengi.in/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}oefhgoajo.in/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}jaediaehf.in/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}fheaighai.in/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}iaiduihgs.in/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}zieidiebg.in/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}hiazegfiz.in/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}uhduadhug.in/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}akludkosa.in/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}huuoooapl.net/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}uhoauengi.net/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}oefhgoajo.net/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}jaediaehf.net/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}fheaighai.net/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}iaiduihgs.net/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}zieidiebg.net/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}hiazegfiz.net/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}uhduadhug.net/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}akludkosa.net/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}huuoooapl.com/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}uhoauengi.com/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}oefhgoajo.com/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}jaediaehf.com/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}fheaighai.com/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}iaiduihgs.com/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}zieidiebg.com/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}hiazegfiz.com/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}uhduadhug.com/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}akludkosa.com/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}huuoooapl.biz/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}uhoauengi.biz/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}oefhgoajo.biz/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}jaediaehf.biz/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}fheaighai.biz/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}iaiduihgs.biz/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}zieidiebg.biz/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}hiazegfiz.biz/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}uhduadhug.biz/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}akludkosa.biz/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.94.107/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.40.92/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.228.49/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.197.60/{t | m | r | o}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}ijaediaehf.ru/{t | m | r | o}.exe

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • %User temp%/{Random Numbers 1}.exe
  • %User temp%/{Random Numbers 2}.exe
  • %User temp%/{Random Numbers 3}.exe

Other Details

This Worm connects to the following website to send and receive information:

  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.197.112/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ahuuoooapl.ru/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}euhoauengi.ru/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}aoefhgoajo.ru/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ifheaighai.ru/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}uiaiduihgs.ru/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ezieidiebg.ru/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}uhiazegfiz.ru/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}auhduadhug.ru/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}pakludkosa.ru/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ahuuoooapl.su/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}euhoauengi.su/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}aoefhgoajo.su/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ijaediaehf.su/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ifheaighai.su/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}uiaiduihgs.su/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ezieidiebg.su/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}uhiazegfiz.su/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}auhduadhug.su/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}pakludkosa.su/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ahuuoooapl.in/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}euhoauengi.in/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}aoefhgoajo.in/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ijaediaehf.in/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ifheaighai.in/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}uiaiduihgs.in/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ezieidiebg.in/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}uhiazegfiz.in/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}auhduadhug.in/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}pakludkosa.in/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ahuuoooapl.net/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}euhoauengi.net/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}aoefhgoajo.net/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ijaediaehf.net/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ifheaighai.net/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}uiaiduihgs.net/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ezieidiebg.net/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}uhiazegfiz.net/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}auhduadhug.net/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}pakludkosa.net/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ahuuoooapl.com/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}euhoauengi.com/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}aoefhgoajo.com/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ijaediaehf.com/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ifheaighai.com/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}uiaiduihgs.com/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ezieidiebg.com/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}uhiazegfiz.com/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}auhduadhug.com/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}pakludkosa.com/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ahuuoooapl.biz/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}euhoauengi.biz/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}aoefhgoajo.biz/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ijaediaehf.biz/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ifheaighai.biz/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}uiaiduihgs.biz/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ezieidiebg.biz/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}uhiazegfiz.biz/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}auhduadhug.biz/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}pakludkosa.biz/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.94.107/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.40.92/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.228.49/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.197.60/t.php?{on | new}=1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ijaediaehf.ru/t.php?{on | new}=1

It does the following:

  • Moves contents of removable and network drives to {removable and network drive letter}:\_
  • Hides the folder {removable and network drive letter}:\_
  • Terminates itself if kernel contains the following API:
    • wine_get_unix_file_name
  • Terminates itself if the following DLLs are loaded:
    • sbiedll.dll
    • sbiedllx.dll
    • dir_watch.dll
    • wpespy.dll

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

14.488.04

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

06 Sep 2018

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

14.489.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

07 Sep 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 terminate files detected as WORM_PHORPIEX.THFADAI

[ Learn More ]
  1. Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
  2. If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • Microsoft Windows Service = "%Windows%\T-740470504057570408\winsvc.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • Microsoft Windows Service = "%Windows%\T-740470504057570408\winsvc.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
    • DisableAntiSpyware = "1"

Step 5

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%\T-740470504057570408

Step 6

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.
  • {removable and network drive letter}:\_\DeviceManager.exe
  • {removable and network drive letter}:\.lnk
  • %Application Data%\winmgr.txt
  • %User Temp%\{random}.exe

Step 7

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as WORM_PHORPIEX.THFADAI. 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 the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:


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