Modified by: Alyssa Christelle Ramos

ALIASES:

Trojan.Win64.Dllhijacker.as (Kaspersky)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

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

It takes advantage of certain vulnerabilities.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 257,024 bytes
File Type: DLL
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 30 May 2020

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:

  • %System Root%\Users\Public\Downloads\Trendupdate.exe
  • %System%\svchost.exe

(Note: %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

It injects codes into the following process(es):

  • %System%\svchost.exe

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
ipv6hlpsvc = %Windows%\Temp\IPv6Mgr.exe

It is a .DLL file that adds the following services:

  • Service Name: ipv6hlpsvc
  • Display Name: IPv6 Helper
  • Description: Provides tunnel connectivity using IP transition technologies (6to4, ISATAP, Port Proxy, and Teredo), and IP-HTTPS. If this service is stopped, the computer will not have the enhanced connectivity benefits that these technologies offer.
  • Start Type: SERVICE_AUTO_START
  • Binary Pathname: %User Temp%\IPv6Mgr.exe

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

Other System Modifications

This Backdoor adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\{Random Characters}
{Random Characters} = {Hex Values}

Backdoor Routine

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

  • Download and execute arbitrary codes

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

  • http://www.facebook2us.{BLOCKED}.net

As of this writing, the said servers are currently inaccessible.

Dropping Routine

This Backdoor drops the following files:

  • %Windows%\Logs\DPX\setpend.txt
  • %Windows%\Temp\IPv6Mgr.exe
  • %Windows%\Temp\mscoree.dll detected as Backdoor.Win64.SHADOWPAD.SM
  • %System Root%\Users\Public\Downloads\Trendupdate.exe

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.. %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.)

Other Details

This Backdoor does the following:

  • It requires to be loaded by %Program Files%\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\PccNTMon.exe to proceed with its malicious routine.

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It takes advantage of the following vulnerabilities:

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.850
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 15.892.04
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 26 May 2020
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 15.893.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 27 May 2020

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

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.Win64.SHADOWPAD.AH

[ 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

Disable this malware service

[ Learn More ]
  •  
    • ipv6hlpsvc

Step 5

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • ipv6hlpsvc = %Windows%\Temp%\IPv6Mgr.exe

Step 6

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\SOFTWARE\{Random Characters}
    • {Random Characters} = {hex values}

Step 7

Search and delete these files

[ 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.
  • %Windows%\Logs\DPX\setpend.txt
  • %System Root%\Users\Public\Downloads\Trendupdate.exe
  • %Windows%\Temp\IPv6Mgr.exe
  • %Windows%\Temp\mscoree.dll detected as Backdoor.Win64.SHADOWPAD.SM

Step 8

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Backdoor.Win64.SHADOWPAD.AH. 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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