BKDR_QAKBOT.AU

October 08, 2012
 Analysis by: Michael Cabel
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This backdoor may be dropped by other malware. It arrives as a component bundled with malware/grayware packages.

It opens a random port to allow a remote user to connect to the affected system. Once a successful connection is established, the remote user executes commands on the affected system.

It requires its main component to successfully perform its intended routine.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

89,600 bytes

File Type:

PE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

15 Oct 2009

Payload:

Collects system information, Connects to URLs/Ips

Arrival Details

This backdoor may be dropped by other malware.

It arrives as a component bundled with malware/grayware packages.

Installation

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

  • ~sasg2136ggvsdswin

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 Name} = ""%System Root%\Documents And Settings\All Users\_qbothome\_qbotinj.exe", "%System Root%\Documents And Settings\All Users\_qbothome\_qbot.dll", /c {Random application name}"

Backdoor Routine

This backdoor opens a random port to allow a remote user to connect to the affected system. Once a successful connection is established, the remote user executes commands on the affected system.

Download Routine

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

  • http://{BLOCKED}n/cgi-bin/jl/jloader.pl?r=q
  • http://{BLOCKED}2.cn/cgi-bin/jl/jloader.pl?r=3d
  • http://{BLOCKED}-cosmetics.net/cgi-bin/clientinfo3.pl
  • http://{BLOCKED}5.in/1
  • http://{BLOCKED}5.in/cgi-bin/jl/jloader.pl?

Other Details

Based on analysis of the codes, it has the following capabilities:

  • Sends the following information to inform the remote host of the infection upon execution:
    • ext_ip
    • dnsname
    • hostname
    • country
    • state
    • city
    • user
    • domain
    • is_admin
    • os
    • time
    • qbot_version
    • install_time
  • Refers to the following files in its code:
    • alias__qbot.cb
    • alias__qbotnti.exe
    • _qbotinj.exe
    • _qbot.dll
    • alias__qbotinj.exe
    • alias__qbot.dll
    • _qbotnti.exe
    • _qbotinj
  • Saves the files in the following folder:
    • %system Root%\All Users\_qbothome
  • Monitors affected users' browsing habits specifically on websites that contains any of the following strings:
    • cashproonline.bankofamerica.com
    • /cashplus/
    • ebanking-services.com
    • /cashman/
    • web-cashplus.com
    • treas-mgt.frostbank.com
    • business-eb.ibanking-services.com
    • treasury.pncbank.com
    • access.jpmorgan.com
    • ktt.key.com
    • onlineserv/
    • premierview.membersunited.org
    • directline4biz.com
    • onb.webcashmgmt.com
    • tmconnectweb
    • moneymanagergps.com
    • ibc.klikbca.com
    • directpay.wellsfargo.com
    • express.53.com
    • itreasury.regions.com
    • itreasurypr.regions.com
    • cpw-achweb.bankofamerica.com
    • businessaccess.citibank.citigroup.com
    • businessonline.huntington.com
  • Searches for information from the registry key, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Account Manager\Accounts, which may include the following:
    • Outlook Express passwords
    • Internet Explorer AutoComplete passwords
    • Internet Explorer Password-protected sites

It connects to the following URL(s) to check for an Internet connection:

  • http://www.{BLOCKED}cdc2121cdsfdfd.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}eter.com

It requires its main component to successfully perform its intended routine.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

8.900

VSAPI PATTERN File:

6.546.01

VSAPI PATTERN Date:

15 Oct 2009

VSAPI PATTERN Date:

10/15/2009 12:00:00 AM

Step 1

For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.

Step 2

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

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
    • {Random Name} = %System Root%\Documents And Settings\All Users\_qbothome\_qbotinj.exe, %System Root%\Documents And Settings\All Users\_qbothome\_qbot.dll, /c {Random application name}

Step 4

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as BKDR_QAKBOT.AU. 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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