WORM_CONUS.M

 Analysis by: Maureen Reyes

 ALIASES:

Worm:Win32/Conustr.A (Microsoft), Trojan.Win32.Vague.bn (Kaspersky)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Worm

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes


  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

159,744 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

30 Jul 2018

Installation

This Worm drops the following copies of itself into the affected system and executes them:

  • %User Temp%\conhost.exe

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

It drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\ppxxxx
  • %User Temp%\must.bat
  • %User Temp%\winword4.doc
  • %User Temp%\WPDNSE\E73D7C2F.NLS
  • {Removable Drive}:\Recycler\E73D7C2F.NLS

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\WPDNSE

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
Load = %User Temp%\conhost.exe

Other System Modifications

This Worm adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
exefile
NeverShowExt = {blank]

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Google\
Update
LastInstallerResultUIString = "Installation failed due to unspecified error. If Google Chrome is currently running, please close it and try again."

Propagation

This Worm creates the following folders in all removable drives:

  • {Removable Drive}:\Recycler

It drops the following copy(ies) of itself in all removable drives:

  • {Removable Drive}:\{Folder Name}.exe
  • {Removable Drive}:\Recycler\Dcfly.exe

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

14.420.05

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

03 Aug 2018

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

14.421.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

04 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

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 NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
    • Load = "%User Temp%\conhost.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Google\Update
    • LastInstallerResultUIString = "Installation failed due to unspecified error. If Google Chrome is currently running, please close it and try again."
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\exefile
    • NeverShowExt = {blank}

Step 4

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 Temp%\WPDNSE
  • {Removable Drive}:\Recycler

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 Temp%\ppxxxx
  • %User Temp%\must.bat
  • %User Temp%\winword4.doc
  • %User Temp%\WPDNSE\E73D7C2F.NLS
  • {Removable Drive}:\Recycler\E73D7C2F.NLS

Step 6

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as WORM_CONUS.M. 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 the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:


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