HKTL_ACTIVATOR


 ALIASES:

RDN/Downloader.a!rl (McAfee); Trojan.Gen (Symantec); Downloader.Win32.Agent.bvbo (Kaspersky); Trojan.Win32.Generic!BT (Sunbelt)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Hacking Tool

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

987,041 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

09 Oct 2014

Arrival Details

This hacking tool 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 hacking tool creates the following folders:

  • %System Root%\DOCUME~1
  • %System Root%\DOCUME~1\Wilbert
  • %User Profile%\LOCALS~1
  • %User Temp%\nsc5.tmp

(Note: %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.. %User Profile% is a user's profile folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name} 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.. %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.)

Other System Modifications

This hacking tool modifies the following file(s):

  • %System%\WBEM\AutoRecover\88744D2A29102FC88ECF505DD2E984FC.mof

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

It deletes the following files:

  • %User Temp%\nsc2.tmp
  • %User Temp%\nsc5.tmp
  • ins.dat

(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 adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{6D4506CE-F855-4657-AA38-DB6B1F733982}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{6D4506CE-F855-4657-AA38-DB6B1F733982}\Programmable

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{6D4506CE-F855-4657-AA38-DB6B1F733982}\LocalServer32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{6D4506CE-F855-4657-AA38-DB6B1F733982}\TypeLib

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{6D4506CE-F855-4657-AA38-DB6B1F733982}\Version

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{03771AEF-400D-4A13-B712-25878EC4A3F5}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{03771AEF-400D-4A13-B712-25878EC4A3F5}\1.0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{03771AEF-400D-4A13-B712-25878EC4A3F5}\1.0\
FLAGS

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{03771AEF-400D-4A13-B712-25878EC4A3F5}\1.0\
0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{03771AEF-400D-4A13-B712-25878EC4A3F5}\1.0\
0\win32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{03771AEF-400D-4A13-B712-25878EC4A3F5}\1.0\
HELPDIR

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{3408AC0D-510E-4808-8F7B-6B70B1F88534}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{3408AC0D-510E-4808-8F7B-6B70B1F88534}\ProxyStubClsid

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{3408AC0D-510E-4808-8F7B-6B70B1F88534}\ProxyStubClsid32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{3408AC0D-510E-4808-8F7B-6B70B1F88534}\TypeLib

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Wbem\WMIC

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Wbem\WMIC

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{6D4506CE-F855-4657-AA38-DB6B1F733982}\LocalServer32
ServerExecutable = "%User Temp%\ins.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{3408AC0D-510E-4808-8F7B-6B70B1F88534}\TypeLib
Version = "1.0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
WBEM\WMIC
mofcompstatus = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wbem\WMIC
WMICLC = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wbem\WMIC
mofcompMUIStatus = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wbem\WMIC
mofcompMUIStatus = "ffffffff"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
WBEM\WMIC
Cli.mof = "127360152460000000"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
WBEM\WMIC
CliEgAliases.mof = "127360152460000000"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
WBEM\WMIC
CliEgAliases.mfl = "127360152460000000"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
WBEM\WMIC
mofcompstatus = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wbem\WMIC
WMICLC = "49"

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
WBEM\CIMOM
Autorecover MOFs timestamp = "130452469286972500"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 129689362348742500.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
WBEM\CIMOM
Autorecover MOFs = "{random characters}"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {random values}.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
WBEM\CIMOM
Autorecover MOFs timestamp = "130452469720253750"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 129689362348742500.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
WBEM\CIMOM
Autorecover MOFs timestamp = "130452469730253750"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 129689362348742500.)

Dropping Routine

This hacking tool drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\ins.dat
  • %User Temp%\nsc5.tmp\Convert1.dll
  • %User Temp%/ins.exe
  • %User Temp%\tmpA.tmp
  • %User Temp%\tmpE.tmp
  • %System%\WBEM\AutoRecover\C8463ECBE33BC240263A0B094E46D510.mof
  • %User Temp%\tmp12.tmp
  • %System%\WBEM\AutoRecover\23BDE61F1F4FACE17E9B0C01F2A1FD9B.mof
  • %User Temp%\obhhelper.txt

(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.. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

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

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID
    • {6D4506CE-F855-4657-AA38-DB6B1F733982}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{6D4506CE-F855-4657-AA38-DB6B1F733982}
    • Programmable
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{6D4506CE-F855-4657-AA38-DB6B1F733982}
    • LocalServer32
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{6D4506CE-F855-4657-AA38-DB6B1F733982}
    • TypeLib
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{6D4506CE-F855-4657-AA38-DB6B1F733982}
    • Version
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib
    • {03771AEF-400D-4A13-B712-25878EC4A3F5}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{03771AEF-400D-4A13-B712-25878EC4A3F5}
    • 1.0
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{03771AEF-400D-4A13-B712-25878EC4A3F5}\1.0
    • FLAGS
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{03771AEF-400D-4A13-B712-25878EC4A3F5}\1.0
    • 0
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{03771AEF-400D-4A13-B712-25878EC4A3F5}\1.0\0
    • win32
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{03771AEF-400D-4A13-B712-25878EC4A3F5}\1.0
    • HELPDIR
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface
    • {3408AC0D-510E-4808-8F7B-6B70B1F88534}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{3408AC0D-510E-4808-8F7B-6B70B1F88534}
    • ProxyStubClsid
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{3408AC0D-510E-4808-8F7B-6B70B1F88534}
    • ProxyStubClsid32
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{3408AC0D-510E-4808-8F7B-6B70B1F88534}
    • TypeLib
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Wbem\
    • WMIC
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Wbem\
    • WMIC

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\Classes\CLSID\{6D4506CE-F855-4657-AA38-DB6B1F733982}\LocalServer32
    • ServerExecutable = "%User Temp%\ins.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{3408AC0D-510E-4808-8F7B-6B70B1F88534}\TypeLib
    • Version = "1.0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WBEM\WMIC
    • mofcompstatus = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wbem\WMIC
    • WMICLC = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wbem\WMIC
    • mofcompMUIStatus = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wbem\WMIC
    • mofcompMUIStatus = "ffffffff"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WBEM\WMIC
    • Cli.mof = "127360152460000000"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WBEM\WMIC
    • CliEgAliases.mof = "127360152460000000"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WBEM\WMIC
    • CliEgAliases.mfl = "127360152460000000"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WBEM\WMIC
    • mofcompstatus = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wbem\WMIC
    • WMICLC = "49"

Step 4

Restore these modified registry values

[ Learn More ]

Important:Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this only if you know how to or you can seek your system administrator's help. You may also check out this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WBEM\CIMOM
    • From: Autorecover MOFs timestamp = "130452469286972500"
      To: Autorecover MOFs timestamp = ""129689362348742500""
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WBEM\CIMOM
    • From: Autorecover MOFs = "{random characters}"
      To: Autorecover MOFs = ""{random values}""
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WBEM\CIMOM
    • From: Autorecover MOFs timestamp = "130452469720253750"
      To: Autorecover MOFs timestamp = ""129689362348742500""
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WBEM\CIMOM
    • From: Autorecover MOFs timestamp = "130452469730253750"
      To: Autorecover MOFs timestamp = ""129689362348742500""

Step 5

Search and delete these components

[ Learn More ]
There may be some components 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 Temp%\ins.dat
  • %User Temp%\nsc5.tmp\Convert1.dll
  • %User Temp%/ins.exe
  • %User Temp%\tmpA.tmp
  • %User Temp%\tmpE.tmp
  • %System%\WBEM\AutoRecover\C8463ECBE33BC240263A0B094E46D510.mof
  • %User Temp%\tmp12.tmp
  • %System%\WBEM\AutoRecover\23BDE61F1F4FACE17E9B0C01F2A1FD9B.mof
  • %User Temp%\obhhelper.txt

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.
  • %System Root%\DOCUME~1
  • %System Root%\DOCUME~1\Wilbert
  • %User Profile%\LOCALS~1
  • %User Temp%\nsc5.tmp

Step 7

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as HKTL_ACTIVATOR. 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 8

Restore deleted/modified files and/or registry entries from backup

*Note: Only Microsoft-related files/keys/values will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted registry keys/values related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on your computer.

    • %System%\WBEM\AutoRecover\88744D2A29102FC88ECF505DD2E984FC.mof

Step 9

Restore this file from backup only Microsoft-related files will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted files related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on you computer again.

  • %User Temp%\nsc2.tmp
  • %User Temp%\nsc5.tmp
  • ins.dat


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