WORM_QBOT.SMB
Win32/Qbot.BB (Eset), Trojan.Win32.Pincav (Ikarus), Trojan.Win32.Pincav.clzt (Kaspersky), Backdoor:Win32/Qakbot (Microsoft), W32.Qakbot (Symantec)
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: Worm
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: Yes
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
Propagates via network shares, Via removable drives, Dropped by other malware, Downloaded from the Internet
This worm arrives by connecting affected removable drives to a system. It arrives by accessing affected shared networks. It arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.
It injects its dropped file/component to specific processes.
It may also connect to Internet Relay Chat (IRC) servers and receive commands from a remote user.
It also has rootkit capabilities, which enables it to hide its processes and files from the user.
It retrieves specific information from the affected system.
It prevents users from visiting antivirus-related websites that contain specific strings.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
259,072 bytes
EXE
Yes
18 Jan 2012
Downloads files, Steals information, Compromises system security, Hides files and processes, Collects system information
Arrival Details
This worm arrives by connecting affected removable drives to a system.
It arrives by accessing affected shared networks.
It 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 worm drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:
- %Application Data%\Microsoft\{random foldername}\{random filename}.exe
(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista and 7.)
It creates the following folders:
- %Application Data%\Microsoft\{random foldername}
(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista and 7.)
It adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:
- {malware name}a
- vzevj
- Global\{random filename}
It injects itself into the following processes as part of its memory residency routine:
- iexplore.exe
- explorer.exe
It injects its dropped file/component to the following processes:
- iexplore.exe
- outlook.exe
- firefox.exe
- opera.exe
- skype.exe
- msnmsgr.exe
- yahoomessenger.exe
- msmsgs.exe
- wscntfy.exe
- wuauclt.exe
Autostart Technique
This worm registers itself as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup by adding the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\{random}
Type = "10"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\{random}
Start = "2"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\{random}
ErrorControl = "0"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\{random}
ImagePath = "Application Data\Microsoft\{random foldername}\{random filename}.exe"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\{random}
DisplayName = "Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Service"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\{random}
DependOnService = "Dnscache"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\{random}
DependOnGroup = "0"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\{random}
ObjectName = "LocalSystem"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\{random}
ObjectName = "LocalSystem"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\{random}\Security
Security = "{hex values}"
It registers as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup by adding the following registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\{random}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\{random}\Security
Propagation
This worm drops the following copy(ies) of itself in all removable drives:
- {random filename}.{random extension}
Backdoor Routine
This worm may also connect to Internet Relay Chat (IRC) servers and receive commands from a remote user.
Rootkit Capabilities
This worm also has rootkit capabilities, which enables it to hide its processes and files from the user.
Download Routine
This worm connects to the following URL(s) to download its component file(s):
- {BLOCKED}istr.in
- {BLOCKED}vtkn.in.ua
- {BLOCKED}uytdk.info
- {BLOCKED}asudskfoe.org
- {BLOCKED}iakfuuasd.net
- {BLOCKED}ev.ua
- {BLOCKED}iev.ua
- {BLOCKED}n.org
- {BLOCKED}nz.net
- {BLOCKED}ausj.org
- {BLOCKED}tkrich.net
- {BLOCKED}carusled.org
Information Theft
This worm retrieves the following information from the affected system:
- System Information
- IP Address
- DNS Name
- Hostname
- User Name
- Domain
- User Privilege
- OS version
- Network Interfaces (address, netmask and status)
- Software installed
- IE and Flash cookies
- Certificates
- Web Server credentials (username and password)
- Keystrokes
Other Details
This worm connects to the following URL(s) to get the affected system's IP address:
- http://www.ip-adress.com/
It prevents users from visiting antivirus-related websites that contain the following strings:
- explabs.
- sanasecurity
- phishtank.com
- hautesecure.com
- truste.com
- clearclouddns
- webroot.
- agnitum
- ahnlab
- arcabit
- avast
- avg
- avira
- avp
- bitdefender
- bit9
- castlecops
- centralcommand
- clamav
- comodo
- computerassociates
- cpsecure
- defender
- drweb
- emsisoft
- esafe
- .eset
- etrust
- ewido
- fortinet
- f-prot
- f-secure
- gdata
- grisoft
- hacksoft
- hauri
- ikarus
- jotti
- k7computing
- kaspersky
- malware
- mcafee
- networkassociates
- nod32
- norman
- norton
- panda
- pctools
- prevx
- quickheal
- rising
- rootkit
- securecomputing
- sophos
- spamhaus
- spyware
- sunbelt
- symantec
- threatexpert
- threatfire
- trendmicro
- virus
- wilderssecurity
- windowsupdate
- update.microsoft.
- download.microsoft.
NOTES:
It is capable of monitoring the browsing activities of the affected computer and logs all information related to finance-related websites containing the following strings:
- /achupload
- /cmserver/
- /corpach/
- /ibws/
- /payments/ach
- /stbcorp/
- /wcmpr/
- /wcmpw/
- /wcmtr/
- /wiret
- achbatchlisting
- businessaccess.citibank.citigroup.com
- businessonline.huntington.com
- businessonline.tdbank.com
- cbs.firstcitizensonline.com
- chsec.wellsfargo.com
- commercial.wachovia.com
- commercial2.wachovia.com
- commercial3.wachovia.com
- commercial4.wachovia.com
- cpw-achweb.bankofamerica.com
- goldleafach.com
- iachwellsprod.wellsfargo.com
- ns.com
- scotiaconnect.scotiabank.com
- tcfexpressbusiness.com
- trz.tranzact.org
- ub-businessonline.blilk.com
- wc.wachovia.com
- wcp.wachovia.com
- webexpress.tdbank.com
- wellsoffice.wellsfargo.com
It does not continue its routine if its host process is any of the following:
- ctfmon.exe
- dbgview.exe
- mirc.exe
- msdev.exe
- ollydbg.exe
It propagates via shared networks and drops copies of itself into available networks.
It drops the shortcut link, {random}.lnk, in all shared networks or removable drives in order to automatically execute its dropped copy.
The dropped shortcut link is detected as LNK_QAKBOT.SM.
SOLUTION
9.300
9.674.02
22 Jan 2013
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
Remove the malware/grayware file dropped/downloaded by WORM_QBOT.SMB
- LNK_QAKBOT.SM
Step 3
Identify and delete files detected as WORM_QBOT.SMB using either the Startup Disk or Recovery Console
Step 4
Delete the registry entry with an unknown data 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\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
- {random}
- {random}
Step 5
Search and delete this folder
Step 6
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as WORM_QBOT.SMB. 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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