BKDR_GHOSTNET.S
Backdoor:Win32/Farfli.K (Microsoft), Backdoor.Trojan (Symantec), Troj/Zegost-AC (Sophos), Backdoor.Win32.Farfli.A (Sunbelt), Backdoor.Win32.Zegost (Ikarus), Trj/Lineage.EGB (Panda),
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
![](/vinfo/imgFiles/legend.jpg)
Threat Type: Backdoor
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: Yes
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
This backdoor may arrive bundled with malware packages as a malware component. It arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.
It connects to a website to send and receive information. However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
It gathers certain information on the affected computer. It logs a user's keystrokes to steal information.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Arrival Details
This backdoor may arrive bundled with malware packages as a malware component.
It 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 component file(s):
- %System%\360SP2.dll - also detected as BKDR_GHOSTNET.S
(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.)
It injects itself into the following processes as part of its memory residency routine:
- explorer.exe
Autostart Technique
This backdoor registers itself as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup by adding the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Enum\Root\LEGACY_MICROSOFT_MADMIN
NextInstance = "1"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Enum\Root\LEGACY_MICROSOFT_MADMIN\
0000
Service = "Microsoft Madmin"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\Microsoft Madmin
ImagePath = "%System%\svchost.exe -k netsvcs"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\Microsoft Madmin
DisplayName = "Microsoft Device Manager"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\Microsoft Madmin\Parameters
ServiceDll = "%System%\360SP2.dll"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\Microsoft Madmin\Security
Security = "{hex values}"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\Microsoft Madmin\Enum
0 = "Root\LEGACY_MICROSOFT_MADMIN\0000"
It 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\
Enum\Root\LEGACY_MICROSOFT_MADMIN
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Enum\Root\LEGACY_MICROSOFT_MADMIN\
0000
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\Microsoft Madmin
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\Microsoft Madmin\Parameters
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\Microsoft Madmin\Security
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\Microsoft Madmin\Enum
Backdoor Routine
This backdoor connects to the following websites to send and receive information:
- {BLOCKED}.161.101:100
However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
Information Theft
This backdoor gathers the following information on the affected computer:
- Computer name
- Processor speed (in MHz)
- Operating system version
- Number of processors
- Total amount of memory (in MB)
It logs a user's keystrokes to steal information.
Other Details
This backdoor requires the following additional components to properly run:
- %System%\flyboy.dat
(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.)
NOTES:
This backdoor checks the following anti-malware related processes and adds them to the gathered information:
- 360sd.exe
- 360tray.exe
- ashDisp.exe
- avast
- avcenter.exe
- avguard.exe
- avira
- avp.exe
- egui.exe
- knsdtray.exe
- KvMonXP.exe
- kxetray.exe
- Mcshield.exe
- NOD32
- RavMonD.exe
- TMBMSRV.exe
It checks the following processes and adds them to the gathered information:
- dnf.exe
- dp.exe
- DragonNest.exe
- mdm365.exe
- my.exe
- QQhxgame.exe
- tw2.exe
- wow.exe
- xy2.exe
- xy3.exe
SOLUTION
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
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. Before you could do this, you must restart in Safe Mode. For instructions on how to do this, you may refer to this page If the preceding step requires you to restart in safe mode, you may proceed to edit the system registry.
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root
- LEGACY_MICROSOFT_MADMIN
- LEGACY_MICROSOFT_MADMIN
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
- Microsoft Madmin
- Microsoft Madmin
Step 4
Search and delete these files
- %System%\flyboy.dat
Step 5
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as BKDR_GHOSTNET.S. 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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