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BKDR_DARKCOMET.WE

April 02, 2016
 PLATFORM:

Windows

 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.

It deletes itself after execution.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

69,632 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

02 Apr 2016

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:

  • %Program Files%\Google\google.com

It creates the following folders:

  • %Program Files%\Google

(Note: %Program Files% is the Program Files folder, where it usually is C:\Program Files on all Windows operating system versions; C:\Program Files (x86) for 32-bit applications running on Windows 64-bit operating systems.)

Autostart Technique

This backdoor 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\Vnfvnf Wofwo

Other System Modifications

This backdoor deletes the following files:

  • %Temporary Internet Files%\Content.IE5\index.dat

(Note: %Temporary Internet Files% is the Temporary Internet Files folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), and Windows Server 2008; C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache on Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), and Windows Server 2012.)

It deletes the following folders:

  • %Temporary Internet Files%\Content.IE5\246FT6TD
  • %Temporary Internet Files%\Content.IE5\9STOYKO4
  • %Temporary Internet Files%\Content.IE5\NF72HY20
  • %Temporary Internet Files%\Content.IE5\PHOM4UYK
  • %Temporary Internet Files%\Content.IE5

(Note: %Temporary Internet Files% is the Temporary Internet Files folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), and Windows Server 2008; C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache on Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), and Windows Server 2012.)

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\Vnfvnf Wofwo
MarkTime = "2016-03-10 20:19"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\Vnfvnf Wofwo
Description = "Aqiyqiyq Jariariar Jbrjbrj Cskbskbs Lct"

Dropping Routine

This backdoor drops the following files:

  • %System Root%\9024.vbs

(Note: %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.)

Other Details

This backdoor connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://users.{BLOCKED}e.qq.com/fcg-bin/cgi_get_portrait.fcg?uins=550067654
  • {BLOCKED}.224.179
  • {BLOCKED}5.6.115
  • {BLOCKED}91.130

It deletes itself after execution.

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.8

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
    • Vnfvnf Wofwo

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\Vnfvnf Wofwo
    • MarkTime = "2016-03-10 20:19"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\Vnfvnf Wofwo
    • Description = "Aqiyqiyq Jariariar Jbrjbrj Cskbskbs Lct"

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.
  • %System Root%\9024.vbs

Step 6

Search and delete this folder

[ 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.
  • %Program Files%\Google

Step 7

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

  • %Temporary Internet Files%\Content.IE5\index.dat


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