ALIASES:

Trojan:Win32/Delf.EP (Microsoft); [000ec07c.EXE]:BackDoor-AWQ.b!bsr (McAfee); Downloader (Symantec); PAK:ASPack (Kaspersky); Trojan.Crypt.CFI.Gen (fs) (Sunbelt)

 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.

It modifies files, disabling programs and applications from properly running.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 784,384 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 31 Oct 2012

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%\security\pNLIGD.exe
  • %Windows%\Microsoft.NET\NETFXRepair.3082vsqMNxuq.exe

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

Autostart Technique

This backdoor 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\qOKHGCy\Parameters

Other System Modifications

This backdoor modifies the following files:

  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Internet Explorer.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Windows Media Player.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Accessories\Notepad.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Accessories\Entertainment\Windows Media Player.lnk

(Note: %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows NT and C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

It adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Directory\shell\open\
command

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Drive\shell\open\
command

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{75EA2845-EAD5-486E-A339-59FED49289A6}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{75EA2845-EAD5-486E-A339-59FED49289A6}\
InprocServer32

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\PROTOCOLS\Filter\
text/html

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SvcHost\
tsqMIFBy

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{75EA2845-EAD5-486E-A339-59FED49289A6}\InprocServer32
ThreadingModel = "Apartment"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
PROTOCOLS\Filter\text/html
CLSID = "{75EA2845-EAD5-486E-A339-59FED49289A6}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SvcHost
tsqMIFBy = "qOKHGCy"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SvcHost\
tsqMIFBy
CoInitializeSecurityParam = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\qOKHGCy
Description = "Messenger ÉÏ°²×°µÄÆôÓù²ÏíÇé¿öµÄ·þÎñ"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\qOKHGCy\Parameters
ServiceDll = "%Windows%\Config\rqNJGCZ.dll"

Dropping Routine

This backdoor drops the following files:

  • %System%\HHDJe6cTg.dll
  • %Windows%\pchealth\xusOLHCy.dll
  • %Program Files%\Movie Maker\WMM2FXBKGBxvq.dll.tmp
  • %Windows%\Config\rqNJGCZ.dll.tmp
  • %User Profile%\Quick Launch\Launch Internet Explorer Browser.lnk
  • %Windows%\DelA.bat
  • %Windows%\Microsoft.NET\NETFXRepair.3082uqPKJFFB.dat
  • %Program Files%\MSXML 6.0\ZxwspLIFC.dll-temp
  • \Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Calculator.lnk
  • \Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Paint.lnk
  • \WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Start Menu\Programs\Windows Media Player.lnk
  • \WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Notepad.lnk
  • \WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Entertainment\Windows Media Player.lnk
  • %Program Files%\Internet Explorer\NJDywt.exe
  • %Program Files%\Windows Media Player\ovACDt.exe
  • %System%\lpttB.exe
  • %Program Files%\Windows Media Player\HBxtO.exe
  • %Program Files%\Internet Explorer\NtRFuI.exe
  • %System%\HwtaP.exe
  • %System%\taQESG.exe
  • %Program Files%\Windows Media Player\LHCwtO.exe
  • %System%\CxtNJtxtOI.exe
  • %Program Files%\Windows Media Player\EttyO.exe

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\System32 on Windows NT and 2000, or C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP and Server 2003.. %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows or C:\WINNT.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name} on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name} on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.300

Step 1

For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\qOKHGCy
    • Parameters
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\shell\open
    • command
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Drive\shell\open
    • command
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {75EA2845-EAD5-486E-A339-59FED49289A6}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{75EA2845-EAD5-486E-A339-59FED49289A6}
    • InprocServer32
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\PROTOCOLS\Filter
    • text/html
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SvcHost
    • tsqMIFBy

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\Classes\CLSID\{75EA2845-EAD5-486E-A339-59FED49289A6}\InprocServer32
    • ThreadingModel = "Apartment"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\PROTOCOLS\Filter\text/html
    • CLSID = "{75EA2845-EAD5-486E-A339-59FED49289A6}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SvcHost
    • tsqMIFBy = "qOKHGCy"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SvcHost\tsqMIFBy
    • CoInitializeSecurityParam = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\qOKHGCy
    • Description = "Messenger ÉÏ°²×°µÄÆôÓù²ÏíÇé¿öµÄ·þÎñ"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\qOKHGCy\Parameters
    • ServiceDll = "%Windows%\Config\rqNJGCZ.dll"

Step 5

Search and delete these files

[ Learn More ]
There may be some component 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.
  • %System%\HHDJe6cTg.dll
  • %Windows%\pchealth\xusOLHCy.dll
  • %Program Files%\Movie Maker\WMM2FXBKGBxvq.dll.tmp
  • %Windows%\Config\rqNJGCZ.dll.tmp
  • %User Profile%\Quick Launch\Launch Internet Explorer Browser.lnk
  • %Windows%\DelA.bat
  • %Windows%\Microsoft.NET\NETFXRepair.3082uqPKJFFB.dat
  • %Program Files%\MSXML 6.0\ZxwspLIFC.dll-temp
  • \Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Calculator.lnk
  • \Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Paint.lnk
  • \WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Start Menu\Programs\Windows Media Player.lnk
  • \WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Notepad.lnk
  • \WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Entertainment\Windows Media Player.lnk
  • %Program Files%\Internet Explorer\NJDywt.exe
  • %Program Files%\Windows Media Player\ovACDt.exe
  • %System%\lpttB.exe
  • %Program Files%\Windows Media Player\HBxtO.exe
  • %Program Files%\Internet Explorer\NtRFuI.exe
  • %System%\HwtaP.exe
  • %System%\taQESG.exe
  • %Program Files%\Windows Media Player\LHCwtO.exe
  • %System%\CxtNJtxtOI.exe
  • %Program Files%\Windows Media Player\EttyO.exe

Step 6

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

Step 7

Restore deleted/modified files and/or registry entries from backup

*Note: Only Microsoft-related files/keys/values will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted registry keys/values related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on your computer.

    • %Start Menu%\Programs\Internet Explorer.lnk
    • %Start Menu%\Programs\Windows Media Player.lnk
    • %Start Menu%\Programs\Accessories\Notepad.lnk
    • %Start Menu%\Programs\Accessories\Entertainment\Windows Media Player.lnk


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.