BKDR_NUPIC.RQ
Backdoor:Win32/Nupic.A (Microsoft); Trojan.Win32.Pincav.adgo (Kaspersky); Trojan.Pincav (VBA32); Trojan.Win32.Pincav.caidl (NANO-Antivirus); W32/Pincav.ADGO!tr (Fortinet)
Windows
Threat Type: Backdoor
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: No
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware
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.
It runs certain commands that it receives remotely from a malicious user. Doing this puts the affected computer and information found on the computer at greater risk.
It retrieves specific information from the affected system.
It deletes the initially executed copy of itself.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
90,112 bytes
EXE
Yes
01 Oct 2015
Compromises system security, Collects system information
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 and executes them:
- %Application Data%\checkdns.exe
(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming 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 drops the following component file(s):
- %WINDOWS%\msgpluse.dll - detected as BKDR_NUPIC.RQ
It adds the following processes:
- iexplore.exe
It is injected into the following processes running in memory:
- created iexplore.exe
Autostart Technique
This backdoor adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Active Setup\Installed Components\{57098B79-D61B-4c35-98DE-5A042D455155}
StubPath = "%Application Data%\checkdns.exe"
Other System Modifications
This backdoor adds the following registry keys:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Active Setup\Installed Components\{57098B79-D61B-4c35-98DE-5A042D455155}
Backdoor Routine
This backdoor executes the following command(s) from a remote malicious user:
- Enumerate files and folders
- Enumerate fixed drives and retrieve free disk space
- Delete files and folders
- Download arbitrary files
- Upload files
- Execute cmd shell commands
- Create a Process
- Enumerate Processes and Modules
- Terminate Process
It connects to the following URL(s) to send and receive commands from a remote malicious user:
- http://mail.{BLOCKED}010.com:1863/net/{data}/{data}/searchnNewsNn2.php
As of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
Dropping Routine
This backdoor drops the following file(s), into which it saves gathered information:
- %Windows%\mss{random characters}.tmp - where cmd shell commands output are piped into
- %User Temp%\msextlog.dll - where cmd shell commands output are piped into
- %User Temp%\msp{random characters}.tmp - where the enumerated processes and modules are saved
- %User Temp%\mspli02.tmp - where the enumerated processes and modules are saved
(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.. %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.)
Information Theft
This backdoor retrieves the following information from the affected system:
- Host name
- IP address
- Proxy server
Other Details
This backdoor deletes the initially executed copy of itself
SOLUTION
9.750
11.952.02
01 Oct 2015
11.953.00
02 Oct 2015
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
Restart in Safe Mode
Step 4
Delete this registry key
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\Active Setup\Installed Components
- {57098B79-D61B-4c35-98DE-5A042D455155}
- {57098B79-D61B-4c35-98DE-5A042D455155}
Step 5
Search and delete these files
- %Windows%\mss{random characters}.tmp
- %User Temp%\msextlog.dll
- %User Temp%\msp{random characters}.tmp
- %User Temp%\mspli02.tmp
Step 6
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as BKDR_NUPIC.RQ. 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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