BKDR_DARKOMET.P

 Analysis by: Pearl Charlaine Espejo

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Downloaded from the Internet


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 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 logs a user's keystrokes to steal information.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

1,009,152 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

10 Feb 2016

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs, Steals information

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.

Installation

This backdoor drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\IXP000.TMP\TMP4351$.TMP - deleted afterwards
  • %AppDataLocal%\CSIDL_X - deleted afterwards
  • %AppDataLocal%\CSIDL_
  • %User Temp%\IXP000.TMP\M.ex_ - deleted afterwards
  • %User Temp%\tmp05\tmpfile.ex_- deleted afterwards

(Note: %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp 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.. %AppDataLocal% is the Application Data folder found in Local Settings, where it is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local 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 drops and executes the following files:

  • %User Temp%\IXP000.TMP\M.exe -> detected as BKDR_DARKOMET.P
  • %User Temp%\tmp05\tmpfile.exe ->copy of M.exe, detected as BKDR_DARKOMET.P

(Note: %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp 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 creates the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\IXP000.TMP
  • %User Temp%\tmp05
  • %Application Data%\dclogs

(Note: %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp 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.. %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming 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 adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:

  • DC_MUTEX-DXE2AAX

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
UserInit = "%System%\userinit.exe,%User Temp%\tmp05\tmpfile.exe"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
tempfiler = "%User Temp%\tmp05\tmpfile.exe"

It drops the following file(s) in the Windows User Startup folder to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

  • %User Startup%\system.pif -> copy of M.exe, detected as BKDR_DARKOMET.P

(Note: %User Startup% is the current user's Startup folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows 2000 and XP, and C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

Other System Modifications

This backdoor adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Local AppWizard-Generated Applications

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Local AppWizard-Generated Applications\
M

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Local AppWizard-Generated Applications\
tmpfile

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
wextract_cleanup0 = "rundll32.exe %System%\advpack.dll,DelNodeRunDLL32 "%User Temp%\IXP000.TMP\""

Propagation

This backdoor does not have any propagation routine.

Backdoor Routine

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

  • List disk drives
  • List webcams and monitor/capture video
  • Change MSN Messenger status & modify contact list
  • Shutdown, Restart, Log off or Lock computer
  • Empty Recycle Bin
  • Visit arbitrary C&C servers
  • List active windows
  • Remote shell command
  • Download and execute files
  • Download updated copy of itself
  • Upload files
  • Log keystrokes
  • Refresh or delete logs
  • Modify system's host file
  • Record and play sounds
  • Open and close CD-ROM drive door
  • Steal passwords
  • Get torrent files
  • Refresh Wifi
  • Uninstall programs
  • Start and control chat sessions
  • Monitor activity by Remote Desktop Protocol
  • DDOS Flooding
  • Manipulate the following:
    • Browser
    • Clipboard
    • Desktop
    • Dialog Box
    • Files
    • Folders
    • Mouse clicks
    • Processes
    • Registries
    • Services
    • Shutdown button options
    • Start button
    • System clock
    • System tray
    • Taskbar
  • Lessen system security level by:
    • Disabling update notification
    • Disabling AV notification
    • Disabling firewall
    • Disabling services
    • Disabling LUA notification
  • Disable RegistryTools
  • Disable TaskMgr
  • Disable Control Panel

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

  • {BLOCKED}4ck.no-ip.biz:1122

Dropping Routine

This backdoor drops the following file(s), into which it saves gathered information:

  • %Application Data%\dclogs\{current date}-{number}.dc

(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming 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.)

Information Theft

This backdoor gathers the following data:

  • Admin rights
  • Computer/User name
  • Language/Country
  • Operating System information
  • RAM used
  • Web Cam information

It logs a user's keystrokes to steal information.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

12.348.02

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

17 Feb 2016

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

12.349.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

18 Feb 2016

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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\RunOnce
    • wextract_cleanup0 = "rundll32.exe %System%\advpack.dll,DelNodeRunDLL32 "%User Temp%\IXP000.TMP\""
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
    • UserInit = "%System%\userinit.exe,%User Temp%\tmp05\tmpfile.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • tempfiler = "%User Temp%\tmp05\tmpfile.exe"

Step 5

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Local AppWizard-Generated Applications
    • M
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Local AppWizard-Generated Applications
    • tmpfile
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • DC3_FEXEC

Step 6

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.
  • %Application Data%\dclogs
  • %User Temp%\IXP000.TMP
  • %User Temp%\tmp05

Step 7

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.
  • %Application Data%\dclogs\{current date}-{number}.dc
  • %AppDataLocal%\CSIDL_

Step 8

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as BKDR_DARKOMET.P. 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 9

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as BKDR_DARKOMET.P. 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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