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: 981,504 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 08 Jan 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 drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %Windows%\apocalyps32.exe

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %Windows%\baram1231_68AD0FD0
  • %Windows%\baram1231_68AD0FD0\ServerLogs
  • %Windows%\baram1231_68AD0FD0\ServerLogs\Wilbert

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows.)

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
apocalyps32 = "%Windows%\apocalyps32.exe"

It modifies the following registry entries to ensure it automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
UserInit = "%System%\userinit.exe,%Windows%\apocalyps32.exe"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %Windows%\system32\userinit.exe,.)

Other System Modifications

This backdoor adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Control\MediaResources\msvideo

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Grup = "apocalypse"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Ad = "baram1231"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Sifre = "ap0calypse"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Delay = "10000"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Baglantilar = "ckdtir2001.codns.com:328;"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
MsgGoster = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Buton = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Icon = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Bindir = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Mutex = "apocalyps32"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Baslangic = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Anahtar = "apocalyps32"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
YuklenenDizin = "%Windows%"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
ProgramAdi = "apocalyps32.exe"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
ActiveX = "{DP4E1576-3A8V-7451-02D0-6YWPX5HU2V83}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Injecsiyon = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Persistent = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
UserMode = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
KernelMode = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
SafeMode = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Offline = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Melt = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
OlderDate = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
DisableSafeMode = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Hidden = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
System = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Archive = "1"

Dropping Routine

This backdoor drops the following files:

  • htm.htm
  • %Windows%\apocalyps32.exe

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows.)

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

Identify and delete files detected as BKDR_BIFROSE.GFR using either the Startup Disk or Recovery Console

[ 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
    • apocalyps32
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\MediaResources
    • msvideo

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • apocalyps32 = "%Windows%\apocalyps32.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • Grup = "apocalypse"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • Ad = "baram1231"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • Sifre = "ap0calypse"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • Delay = "10000"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • Baglantilar = "ckdtir2001.codns.com:328;"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • MsgGoster = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • Buton = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • Icon = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • Bindir = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • Mutex = "apocalyps32"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • Baslangic = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • Anahtar = "apocalyps32"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • YuklenenDizin = "%Windows%"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • ProgramAdi = "apocalyps32.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • ActiveX = "{DP4E1576-3A8V-7451-02D0-6YWPX5HU2V83}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • Injecsiyon = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • Persistent = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • UserMode = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • KernelMode = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • SafeMode = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • Offline = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • Melt = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • OlderDate = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • DisableSafeMode = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • Hidden = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • System = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
    • Archive = "1"

Step 5

Restore these modified registry values

[ Learn More ]

Important:Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this only if you know how to or you can seek your system administrator's help. You may also check out this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
    • From: UserInit = "%System%\userinit.exe,%Windows%\apocalyps32.exe"
      To: UserInit = ""%Windows%\system32\userinit.exe,""

Step 6

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.
  • htm.htm
  • %Windows%\apocalyps32.exe

Step 7

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.
  • %Windows%\baram1231_68AD0FD0
  • %Windows%\baram1231_68AD0FD0\ServerLogs
  • %Windows%\baram1231_68AD0FD0\ServerLogs\Wilbert

Step 8

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as BKDR_BIFROSE.GFR. 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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