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BKDR_VAWTRAK.PHX

April 11, 2014
 ALIASES:

Backdoor:Win32/Vawtrak.D (Microsoft); Trojan-Spy.Win32.SpyEyes.ampf (Kaspersky); Trojan.Win32.Generic!BT (Sunbelt); Trojan horse Crypt3.HEZ (AVG)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

 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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

387,936 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

11 Apr 2014

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:

  • %System Root%\spoolerlogs
  • %User Profile%\VMware\VMware Tools
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\VMware

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.)

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
lwettabz = "regsvr32.exe %User Profile%\Application Data\lwettabz.dat "

Other System Modifications

This backdoor adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{117A5899-70DC-4EA0-B35F-15F35AEF383F}

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\CLSID\{117A5899-70DC-4EA0-B35F-15F35AEF383F}
#sd = "{random values}"

Dropping Routine

This backdoor drops the following files:

  • ?4
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\lwettabz.dat
  • ?3
  • %System Root%\spoolerlogs\spooler.xml

(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.. %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

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_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID
    • {117A5899-70DC-4EA0-B35F-15F35AEF383F}

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
    • lwettabz = "regsvr32.exe %User Profile%\Application Data\lwettabz.dat "
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\CLSID\{117A5899-70DC-4EA0-B35F-15F35AEF383F}
    • #sd = "{random values}"

Step 5

Search and delete these components

[ Learn More ]
There may be some components 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.
  • ?4
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\lwettabz.dat
  • ?3
  • %System Root%\spoolerlogs\spooler.xml

Step 6

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.
  • %System Root%\spoolerlogs
  • %User Profile%\VMware\VMware Tools
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\VMware

Step 7

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