COINMINER.WIN64.TOOLXMR.AA

November 27, 2018
 Analysis by: Noel Anthony Llimos
 ALIASES:

Riskware/NSSM (Fortinet)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Coinminer

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Coinminer 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:

1,473,627 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

20 Nov 2018

Arrival Details

This Coinminer 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 Coinminer adds the following processes:

  • sc description "Remote Desktop Report" "{Encrypted Data}"
  • net start "Remote Desktop Report"
  • "taskkill.exe" /f /im st.exe
  • cmd /c ""%ProgramData%\service.bat""
  • cmd ping -n 2 127.0.0.1

(Note: %ProgramData% is a version of the Program Files folder where any user on a multi-user computer can make changes to programs. This contains application data for all users. This is usually C:\ProgramData in Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

Other System Modifications

This Coinminer adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR SFX
C%%ProgramData = %ProgramData%

Dropping Routine

This Coinminer drops the following files:

  • %All Users Profile%\javax.exe
  • %All Users Profile%\nssm.exe
  • %All Users Profile%\service.bat

(Note: %All Users Profile% is the common user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\ProgramData on Windows Vista, 7, and 8. )

Other Details

This Coinminer connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.138.145

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

14.644.05

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

23 Nov 2018

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

14.645.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

24 Nov 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

Search and delete these files

[ 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.  
  • %All Users Profile%\javax.exe
  • %All Users Profile%\nssm.exe
  • %All Users Profile%\service.bat

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.

  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR SFX
  • C%%ProgramData = %ProgramData%

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as COINMINER.WIN64.TOOLXMR.AA. 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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