Analysis by: Jimelle Monteser

ALIASES:

Trojan:Win32/Neurevt.A (Microsoft), Trojan.Win32.Neurevt (Ikarus), Win32/Neurevt.A trojan (NOD32) Backdoor.Win32.ReggieWongBots (Alpha Gen), Trojan.Scar.AD (Bitdefender)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel: Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware

This Trojan arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

It executes commands from a remote malicious user, effectively compromising the affected system.

It modifies the Internet Explorer Zone Settings.

It retrieves specific information from the affected system.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 245,248 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 09 Aug 2013
Payload: Compromises system security, Terminates processes, Steals information

Arrival Details

This Trojan 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 Trojan injects codes into the following process(es):

  • wuauclt.exe

Autostart Technique

This Trojan adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
jewsdidit = "{malware path}\{malware filename}.exe"

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
TaskbarNoNotification = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
ShowSuperHidden = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Win7zip
Uuid = "{random values}"

Backdoor Routine

This Trojan connects to any of the following IRC server(s):

  • http://imgay.{BLOCKED}s.cat
  • http://imgay.{BLOCKED}s.es
  • http://imgay.{BLOCKED}at.net

It executes the following commands from a remote malicious user:

  • Download files
  • Upload files
  • Copy itself in removable drives
  • Start or stop programs
  • Delete files

Web Browser Home Page and Search Page Modification

This Trojan modifies the Internet Explorer Zone Settings.

Information Theft

This Trojan retrieves the following information from the affected system:

  • Operating system version
  • CPU information
  • Information on installed FTPs
  • Installed applications

Other Details

This Trojan connects to the following URL(s) to check for an Internet connection:

  • update.microsoft.com
  • microsoft.com
  • windowsupdate.microsoft.com
  • google.com

NOTES:
This malware queries the following registry key to get Microsoft Net Framework Version:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Net Framework setup\NDP

It queries the following registry key to get the processor information:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\CentralProcessor

It disables the following antivirus-related applications by adding the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\{application} Debugger = "{application}_.exe"

Wherein the {application} can be any of the following:

  • a2guard.exe
  • a2service.exe
  • a2start.exe
  • adaware.exe
  • ALUpdate.exe
  • arcaclean.exe
  • avastsvc.exe
  • avastui.exe
  • avcenter.exe
  • AVENGINE.exe
  • avgcfgex.exe
  • avgdiagex.exe
  • avgidsagent.exe
  • avgmfapx.exe
  • avgnt.exe
  • avguard.exe
  • avgui.exe
  • avgupd.exe
  • avgwdsvc.exe
  • AVK.exe
  • AVKTray.exe
  • avshadow.exe
  • BgScan.exe
  • BullGuard.exe
  • BullGuardBhvScanner.exe
  • BullGuardScanner.exe
  • BullGuardUpdate.exe
  • BullGuardUpdate2.exe
  • ccsvchst.exe
  • ccupdate.exe
  • CLPSLA.exe
  • coreFrameworkHost.exe
  • coreServiceShell.exe
  • egui.exe
  • ekrn.exe
  • epavjobs.exe
  • ForceField.exe
  • FProtTray.exe
  • FPWin.exe
  • fshoster32.exe
  • GDFirewallTray.exe
  • GDSC.exe
  • K7TSUpdT.exe
  • mbam.exe
  • mbamgui.exe
  • mcagent.exe
  • McPvTray.exe
  • mcshell.exe
  • mcshield.exe
  • McSvHost.exe
  • McUICnt.exe
  • mcupdate.exe
  • mcupdmgr.exe
  • MSASCui.exe
  • MsMpEng.exe
  • msseces.exe
  • niu.exe
  • op_mon.exe
  • pctsAuxs.exe
  • pctsGui.exe
  • pctsSvc.exe
  • PSANHost.exe
  • PSUAService.exe
  • PSUNMain.exe
  • RavMonD.exe
  • rcfp.exe
  • rsmain.exe
  • RsMgrSvc.exe
  • RsTray.exe
  • SBAMTray.exe
  • sbamui.exe
  • sguardxup.exe
  • starter_avp.exe
  • symerr.exe
  • uiSeAgnt.exe
  • uiWatchDog.exe
  • Update.exe
  • update_tmp.exe
  • updater.exe
  • Upgrader.exe
  • usrreq.exe
  • uWinMgr.exe
  • WRSA.exe
  • zatray.exe

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.300
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 10.206.04
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 09 Aug 2013
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 10.207.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 10 Aug 2013

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

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as BKDR_NEUREVT.YO

Step 3

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • TaskbarNoNotification = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
    • ShowSuperHidden = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Win7zip
    • Uuid = "{random values}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • jewsdidit = "{malware path}\{malware filename}.exe"

Step 5

Reset Internet security settings

[ Learn More ]

Step 6

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