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BKDR_DARKCOMET.AS

April 29, 2014
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

372,224 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

29 Apr 2014

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:

  • %User Profile%\Microsoft FxCop\SamSs.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.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Microsoft FxCop
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\dclogs

(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.)

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
WMI Performance Adapter = "%User Profile%\Microsoft FxCop\wmiApSrv.exe"

Other System Modifications

This backdoor deletes the following files:

  • {malware path and file name}:zone.identifier
  • %User Profile%\Microsoft FxCop\wmiApSrv.exe:Zone.Identifier
  • %User Profile%\Microsoft FxCop\SamSs.exe:Zone.Identifier
  • %User Profile%\Microsoft FxCop\SamSs.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.)

It adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:00:27 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:00:32 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:00:35 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:00:38 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:00:42 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:00:45 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:00:48 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:00:52 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:00:55 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:00:58 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:01:02 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:01:05 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:01:08 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:01:11 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:01:15 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:01:18 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:01:21 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:01:25 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:01:28 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:01:31 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:01:35 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:01:38 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:01:42 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:01:45 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:01:48 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:01:52 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:01:55 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:01:58 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:02:02 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:02:05 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:02:08 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:02:12 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:02:15 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:02:18 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:02:22 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:02:25 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:02:29 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:02:32 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:02:35 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
4/25/2014 at 11:02:39 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

Dropping Routine

This backdoor drops the following files:

  • %User Profile%\Microsoft FxCop\wmiApSrv.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.)

Other Details

This backdoor connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • {BLOCKED}.34.210

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

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
    • DC3_FEXEC

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
    • WMI Performance Adapter = "%User Profile%\Microsoft FxCop\wmiApSrv.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:00:27 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:00:32 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:00:35 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:00:38 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:00:42 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:00:45 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:00:48 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:00:52 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:00:55 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:00:58 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:01:02 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:01:05 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:01:08 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:01:11 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:01:15 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:01:18 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:01:21 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:01:25 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:01:28 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:01:31 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:01:35 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:01:38 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:01:42 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:01:45 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:01:48 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:01:52 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:01:55 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:01:58 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:02:02 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:02:05 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:02:08 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:02:12 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:02:15 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:02:18 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:02:22 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:02:25 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:02:29 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:02:32 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:02:35 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DC3_FEXEC
    • 4/25/2014 at 11:02:39 PM = "{1c6961c0-f82d-11e0-a6bd-806d6172696f-1756172240}"

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 Profile%\Microsoft FxCop\wmiApSrv.exe

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.
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Microsoft FxCop
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\dclogs

Step 7

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

  • {malware path and file name}:zone.identifier
  • %User Profile%\Microsoft FxCop\wmiApSrv.exe:Zone.Identifier
  • %User Profile%\Microsoft FxCop\SamSs.exe:Zone.Identifier
  • %User Profile%\Microsoft FxCop\SamSs.exe


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