Backdoor.PS1.EMPOW.A
PowerShell/RiskWare.Empire.A application (NOD32)
Windows
Threat Type: Backdoor
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: No
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.
It does not have any propagation routine.
It executes commands from a remote malicious user, effectively compromising the affected system. However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
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 processes:
- net share ADMIN$ /delete
- net share C$ /delete
- sc.exe config wuauserv start= disabled
Propagation
This Backdoor does not have any propagation routine.
Backdoor Routine
This Backdoor executes the following commands from a remote malicious user:
- Download a file
- Set malware working time and date
- Execute shell commands
- Execute powershell commands
- Sleep
- Get System information
- User domain
- User name
- Machine name
- IP address
- Operating system
- Log Keystrokes
It connects to the following URL(s) to send and receive commands from a remote malicious user:
- http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.194.103:8080/admin/get.php
- http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.194.103:8080/news.php
- http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.194.103:8080/login/process.php
However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
Rootkit Capabilities
This Backdoor does not have rootkit capabilities.
Other Details
This Backdoor does not exploit any vulnerability.
SOLUTION
Step 1
Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.
Step 2
Identify and terminate files detected as Backdoor.PS1.EMPOW.A
- 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.
- 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.
- If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.
Step 3
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Backdoor.PS1.EMPOW.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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