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DDOS_NITOL.SMD

January 05, 2018
 Analysis by: Nikko Tamana
 ALIASES:

DDoS:Win32/Nitol (Microsoft)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:

  • Threat Type: DDoS malware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This DDoS malware 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:

1,355,776 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

23 Aug 2017

Arrival Details

This DDoS malware 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 DDoS malware drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %System%\{random 6 letters}.exe
  • %System Root%\$Recycle.Bin\S-1-5-21-2407829820-1079796033-203259571-500\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\MSOCache\All Users\{90120000-0030-0000-0000-0000000FF1CE}-C\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\MSOCache\All Users\{90120000-0115-0409-0000-0000000FF1CE}-C\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ink\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\MSInfo\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE12\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\DVD Maker\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Internet Explorer\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Chess\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Microsoft Games\FreeCell\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Hearts\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Mahjong\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Minesweeper\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Multiplayer\Backgammon\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Multiplayer\Checkers\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Multiplayer\Spades\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Purble Place\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Solitaire\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Microsoft Games\SpiderSolitaire\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\VMware\VMware Tools\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\VMware\VMware Tools\VSock SDK\bin\win64\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Windows Defender\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Windows Journal\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Windows Mail\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Windows Media Player\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Windows NT\Accessories\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Windows Photo Viewer\lpk.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\lpk.dll
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\microsoft shared\DW\lpk.dll
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\microsoft shared\EQUATION\lpk.dll
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\microsoft shared\ink\lpk.dll
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\microsoft shared\MSInfo\lpk.dll
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\microsoft shared\OFFICE12\lpk.dll
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\microsoft shared\OFFICE12\Office Setup Controller\lpk.dll
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\microsoft shared\Smart Tag\lpk.dll
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\microsoft shared\Source Engine\lpk.dll
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\microsoft shared\VSTA\8.0\x86\lpk.dll
  • %Program Files%\Internet Explorer\lpk.dll
  • %Program Files%\Microsoft Office\Office12\1033\lpk.dll
  • %Program Files%\Microsoft Office\Office12\lpk.dll

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.. %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.. %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 DDoS malware registers itself as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup by adding the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\Distribumkq
ImagePath = %System%\{random 6 letters}.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\Distribumkq
Type = 00000010

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\Distribumkq
Start = 00000002

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\Distribumkq
ErrorControl = 00000000

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\Distribumkq
DisplayName = "Distribuqre Transaction Coordinator Service"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\Distribumkq
ObjectName = "LocalSystem"

It 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
Distribumkq =

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

13.612.05

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

23 Aug 2017

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

13.613.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

24 Aug 2017

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

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 4

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. Before you could do this, you must restart in Safe Mode. For instructions on how to do this, you may refer to this page If the preceding step requires you to restart in safe mode, you may proceed to edit the system registry.

  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services
    • Distribumkq

Step 5

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