BACKDOOR.JAVA.JACKSBOT.AA

 Analysis by: Henry Alarcon Jr.

 ALIASES:

Java/Jacksbot.AC ( ESET-NOD32), Trojan-Dropper.Java.Agent.an (Kaspersky), Java:JRat-D [Trj] (Avast)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit), Mac OS, Linux, FreeBSD, Unix

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

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

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 executes commands from a remote malicious user, effectively compromising the affected system.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

244,786 bytes

File Type:

JAR

Memory Resident:

Yes

Payload:

Compromises system security, Collects system information, Connects to URLs/IPs, Launches DoS/DDoS attacks, Terminates processes, Generates sound, Restarts system

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 and executes the following files:

  • %Application Data%\Java.jar <- main jRAT server module

(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, 7, and 8.)

Autostart Technique

This Backdoor adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Java = "{java installation path}\javaw.exe" –jar “%Application Data%\Java.jar"

Backdoor Routine

This Backdoor executes the following commands from a remote malicious user:

  • View System Information:
    • Memory (RAM)
    • Processors
    • Latency
    • Username
    • Computer Name
    • OS Information
    • Country
    • Java Version
    • Antivirus Installed
    • Firewall Installed
    • LAN Information
    • System Usage
    • System Locales
    • Environment Variables
    • System Properties
    • Disk Drives
    • Display Information
    • Network Adapter
  • DDOS
  • Elevate Permission
  • Open Website
  • Random Mouse Movements
  • Play sounds (Beep, Wav, Text Speech)
  • Display Message Box / Chat Window
  • Drain CPU
  • Remote Command Shell
  • Create New Process
  • Modify Hosts File
  • Modify Registries
  • List Installed Programs
  • Manipulate Startup Registries / Services
  • View Screen
  • Capture Sound
  • Download and execute malicious scripts
  • File Manipulation
  • View uTorrent Downloads
  • View FileZilla Connections
  • Copy Clipboard
  • Download Files
  • View connected LAN Computers
  • View Active Ports
  • View Net Gateway
  • Shutdown, restart, hibernate, lock, logout machine
  • Load Plugins (Keylogger, Webcam)
  • Update and uninstall itself

It connects to the following URL(s) to send and receive commands from a remote malicious user:

  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.229.216:5050

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.700

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

14.754.07

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

16 Jan 2019

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

14.755.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

17 Jan 2019

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

Identify and terminate files detected as BACKDOOR.JAVA.JACKSBOT.AA

[ Learn More ]
  1. Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
  2. If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • Java = "{java installation path}\javaw.exe" -jar "%AppData%\Java.jar"

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.  
  • %Application Data%\Java.jar

Step 6

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as BACKDOOR.JAVA.JACKSBOT.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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