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BKDR_PLUGX.ZYFG-A

August 10, 2018
 Analysis by: Carl Maverick Pascual
 PLATFORM:

Windows

 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.

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

10,711 bytes

File Type:

Other

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

25 Jul 2018

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs

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 adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:

  • AVPL

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
AVPL = {Malware directory}\svchost.exe "/0"

It adds and runs the following services:

  • Service Name: AVPL
    • Service Start: 2
    • ImagePath: {Malware directory}\svchost.exe "/0"
    • Service Description: AVPL Firewall Service
    • Service Display Name: AVPL Firewall

Other Details

This Backdoor does the following:

  • It connects to the following IP Address:
    • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.2.175:8080
  • It resolves the IP Address of the URL:
    • support.{BLOCKED}ecliveupdate.ml
  • It uses the resolved IP Address to connect to the following URLs:
    • POST {Resolved IP Address}/avlab/index.php
    • GET {Resolved IP Address}/wpad.dat
  • It requires the following files for it to properly run:
    • {Malware Path}\QtCore4.dll ->Detected as TROJ_PLUGX.ZYFG-A
    • {Malware Path}\svchost.exe -> Normal file

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

14.414.06

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

31 Jul 2018

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

14.415.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

01 Aug 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

Restart in Safe Mode, and then 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\Current Control Set\services
    • AVPL
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\{Control Set #}\services
    • AVPL

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
    • AVPL = "{Malware directory}\svchost.exe "/0""

Step 5

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as BKDR_PLUGX.ZYFG-A. 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 6

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as BKDR_PLUGX.ZYFG-A. 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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