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BKDR_NETWIREDRC.NZU

August 20, 2018
 Analysis by: John Anthony Banes
 PLATFORM:

Windows

 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 executes commands from a remote malicious user, effectively compromising the affected system. However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

It deletes the initially executed copy of itself.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

216,680 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

16 Aug 2018

Payload:

Drops files, Steals information, Connects to URLs/IPs, Compromises system security

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 copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %Application Data%\Adobe_ssl.exe

(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 drops the following files:

  • {Malware Path}\.Identifier

It adds the following processes:

  • notepad.exe

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

  • xqiYWgXG

It injects codes into the following process(es):

  • created notepad.exe process

Autostart Technique

This Backdoor drops the following shortcut pointing to its copy in the User Startup folder to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

  • %User Startup%\Adobe_ssl.lnk

(Note: %User Startup% is the current user's Startup folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows NT, C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows XP, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

Backdoor Routine

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

  • Download & execute files on the affected system
  • Execute Command Shell
  • Terminate Processes
  • Manage files and folders
  • Perform keylogging routine
  • Retrieve stored passwords from browsers / email clients

It connects to the following URL(s) to send and receive commands from a remote malicious user:

  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.4.37:4488

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

Dropping Routine

This Backdoor drops the following file(s), which it uses for its keylogging routine:

  • %Application Data%\Dobe\{DD-MM-YYYY}

(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.)

Information Theft

This Backdoor attempts to steal stored email credentials from the following:

  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Mozilla Thunderbird

It attempts to get stored information such as user names, passwords, and hostnames from the following browsers:

  • Opera
  • Google Chrome
  • Chromium
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Mozilla SeaMonkey
  • Internet Explorer

Other Details

This Backdoor deletes the initially executed copy of itself

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

14.446.04

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

16 Aug 2018

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

14.447.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

17 Aug 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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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.
  • %Application Data%\Dobe

Step 5

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 Startup%\Adobe_ssl.lnk
  • {Malware Path}\.Identifier
  • %Application Data%\Dobe\{DD-MM-YYYY}

Step 6

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