BKDR_DEXTR.C
PWS:Win32/Dexter.A (Microsoft), RDN/Generic PWS.y!vc (McAfee), a variant of Win32/Poxters.A trojan (Eset)
Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)
Threat Type: Backdoor
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: No
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
This backdoor may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.
It executes commands from a remote malicious user, effectively compromising the affected system. It connects to a website to send and receive information.
It logs a user's keystrokes to steal information.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Arrival Details
This backdoor may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.
Installation
This backdoor drops the following file(s)/component(s):
- {Malware Path}\SecureDll.dll - keylogger module loaded to iexplore.exe also detected as BKDR_DEXTR.C
It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:
- %Application Data%\Java Security Plugin\javaplugin.exe
(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista and 7.)
It adds the following processes:
- iexplore.exe
It creates the following folders:
- %Application Data%\Java Security Plugin
(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista and 7.)
It injects itself into the following processes as part of its memory residency routine:
- iexplore.exe created process
Autostart Technique
This backdoor adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Sun Java Security Plugin = "%Application Data%\Java Security Plugin\javaplugin.exe"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Sun Java Security Plugin = "%Application Data%\Java Security Plugin\javaplugin.exe"
It drops the following files:
- {malware path}\strokes.log
- {malware path\tmp.log
- {malware path}\debug.log
Other System Modifications
This backdoor adds the following registry keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\HelperSolutions Software
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Associations
It adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\HelperSolutions Software
digit = "{GUID}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\HelperSolutions Software
val1 = "{malware path}\strokes.log"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\HelperSolutions Software
val2 = "{malware path}\tmp.log"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Associations
LowRiskFileTypes = ".exe;.bat;.reg;.vbs;"
Backdoor Routine
This backdoor executes the following commands from a remote malicious user:
- Update (update copy)
- Checkin (set the delay it sends information)
- Scanin (set the delay it checks memory for information)
- Uninstall (uninstall itself)
- Download (download and execute a file)
It connects to the following websites to send and receive information:
- hi.{BLOCKED}o.biz/fk/gateway.php
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.115.107/ial9121988921973dsadas8dsa080dsa/gateway.php
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.44.11/base1/gateway.php
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.44.11/w19218317418621031041543/gateway.php
- {BLOCKED}-service.in.ua/alfa/gateway.php
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.67.242/~microsre/9e6e2103559968f8a876156c6ff2acad/gateway.php
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.78.24/e78826c4e629f7036312259d7a83ed05/gateway.php
Information Theft
This backdoor gathers the following data:
- {GUID}
- Username
- Hostname
- Operating System
- Processor type
- List of running processes
- Key to decrypt sent information
It logs a user's keystrokes to steal information.
NOTES:
It dumps the affected system's memory to check for sensitive information, such as payment details and/or credit card information stored in the aforementioned system.
SOLUTION
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
Step 3
Delete this registry key
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
- HelperSolutions Software
- HelperSolutions Software
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
- Associations
- Associations
Step 4
Delete this registry value
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\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- Sun Java Security Plugin = "%Application Data%\Java Security Plugin\javaplugin.exe"
- Sun Java Security Plugin = "%Application Data%\Java Security Plugin\javaplugin.exe"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- Sun Java Security Plugin = "%Application Data%\Java Security Plugin\javaplugin.exe"
- Sun Java Security Plugin = "%Application Data%\Java Security Plugin\javaplugin.exe"
Step 5
Search and delete these folders
- %Application Data%\Java Security Plugin
Step 6
Search and delete these files
- {malware path}\strokes.log
- {malware path\tmp.log
- {malware path}\debug.log
Step 7
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as BKDR_DEXTR.C. 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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