BKDR_CUTWAIL.AAW
TrojanDownloader:Win32/Cutwail.BZ (Microsoft); Trojan.Win32.Cutwail.dgx (Kaspersky)
Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)
Threat Type: Backdoor
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: Yes
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
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 may be downloaded by other malware/grayware from remote sites.
It executes commands from a remote malicious user, effectively compromising the affected system. It connects to a website to send and receive information.
It gathers certain information on the affected computer.
It deletes itself after execution.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
56,832 bytes
EXE
Yes
22 Jul 2014
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.
It may be downloaded by the following malware/grayware from remote sites:
- TROJ_UPATRE.AAW
Installation
This backdoor drops the following copies of itself into the affected system and executes them:
- %User Profile%\{random}.exe
- %System%\{random}.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.. %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)
It adds the following processes:
- svchost.exe
It adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:
- CTR.{16 alphanumeric characters}
It injects itself into the following processes as part of its memory residency routine:
- created svchost.exe
Autostart Technique
This backdoor adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{random} = "%System%\{random}.exe"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{random} = "%User Profile%\{random}.exe"
Other System Modifications
This backdoor adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WinNTData
prx = "{Hex Values}"
It adds the following registry keys as part of its installation routine:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WinNTData
Backdoor Routine
This backdoor executes the following commands from a remote malicious user:
- Download and Execute File
- Load Modules
- Configure Proxy Settings
- Execute Arbitrary Codes
- Terminate Self
It connects to the following websites to send and receive information:
- BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.90.125:443
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.172.129:443
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.104.81:443
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.94.182:443
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.198.93:443
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.33.125:443
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.36.184:443
Information Theft
This backdoor gathers the following information on the affected computer:
- System Bios
- Video Bios
- CPU
- Product ID
Other Details
This backdoor deletes itself after execution.
SOLUTION
9.700
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
Remove the malware/grayware file that dropped/downloaded BKDR_CUTWAIL.AAW. (Note: Please skip this step if the threat(s) listed below have already been removed.)
- TROJ_UPATRE.AAW
Step 4
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as BKDR_CUTWAIL.AAW
Step 5
Restart in Safe Mode
Step 6
Delete this registry value
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
- {random} = "%System%\{random}.exe"
- {random} = "%System%\{random}.exe"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- {random} = "%User Profile%\{random}.exe"
- {random} = "%User Profile%\{random}.exe"
Step 7
Delete this registry key
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. Before you could do this, you must restart in Safe Mode. For instructions on how to do this, you may refer to this page If the preceding step requires you to restart in safe mode, you may proceed to edit the system registry.
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software
- WinNTData
- WinNTData
Step 8
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as BKDR_CUTWAIL.AAW. 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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