Analysis by: Sabrina Lei Sioting
ALIASES:

Backdoor:Win32/Mosucker.AA (Microsoft), Backdoor.Win32.MoSucker.30.av, Backdoor.Win32.MoSucker.30.av (Kaspersky), W32/MoSucker.C.gen!Eldorado (Authentium), W32/MoSucker_30.AV!tr.bdr (Fortinet), W32/MoSucker.C.gen!Eldorado (Fprot), Backdoor.Win32.VB (Ikarus), Win32/MoSucker.AA trojan (Eset), Backdoor W32/Mosuck.AFI (Norman), Bck/Mosucker.CH (Panda),

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • 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.

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 163,840 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 09 Jun 2011

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:

  • %System%\Updater.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.)

It drops the following component file(s):

  • %System%\mswinsck.ocx

(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 terminates the execution of the copy it initially executed and executes the copy it drops instead.

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
Windows Update = "%System%\Updater.exe"

Other Details

This backdoor connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • {BLOCKED}work.no-ip.net

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 8.212.03
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 09 Jun 2011
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 8.213.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 10 Jun 2011

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

Terminate the malware/grayware/spyware process:

[ Learn More ]
  • For Windows 98 and ME users, 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.
  • 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.
  • If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

    • Step 3

    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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
      • Windows Update = "%System%\Updater.exe"

    Step 4

    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%\mswinsck.ocx

    Step 5

    Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as BKDR_MOSUCK.SS. 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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