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BKDR_PLUGX.EE

January 14, 2014
 Analysis by: Jimelle Monteser
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)

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

  • 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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

593,920 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

26 Dec 2013

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 creates the following folders:

  • %Application Data%\{random numbers}

(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.)

Other System Modifications

This backdoor adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MJ

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
MJ

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
User Agent

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
User Agent\Post Platform

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
5.0\User Agent

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
5.0\User Agent\Post Platform

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MJ
CLSID = "{random values}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
MJ
CLSID = "{random values}"

Dropping Routine

This backdoor drops the following files:

  • %Application Data%\{random numbers}\RasTls.dll
  • %Application Data%\{random numbers}\RasTls.exe
  • %User Startup%\RasTlsSecurity.lnk

(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.. %User Startup% is the current user's Startup folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.)

Other Details

This backdoor connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.185.133:443/update?id={malware ID}

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.700

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

10.502.06

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

29 Dec 2013

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

10.503.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

29 Dec 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

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_CLASSES_ROOT
    • MJ
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes
    • MJ
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • User Agent
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\5.0
    • User Agent

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.
  • %Application Data%\{random numbers}

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 Startup%\RasTlsSecurity.lnk

Step 6

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