BKDR_PUSHDO.SM
TrojanDownloader:Win32/Cutwail.BS (Microsoft)
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: Yes
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 executes commands from a remote malicious user, effectively compromising the affected system. It connects to a website to send and receive information.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
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:
- %User Profile%\{random filename}.exe
(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.)
It adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:
- {random filename}
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
{random filename} = "%User Profile%\{random filename}.exe"
Other System Modifications
This backdoor adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion
AppManagement = "{random values}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion
{random filename}zap = "{random values}"
Propagation
This backdoor uses any of the following Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) servers:
- smtp.compuserve.com
- mail.airmail.net
- smtp.directcon.net
- smtp.sbcglobal.yahoo.com
- smtp.mail.yahoo.com
- smtp.live.com
Backdoor Routine
This backdoor executes the following commands from a remote malicious user:
- Download and execute files
- Retrieve Spam Configuration/Content
- Get OS Version
- Get System Information
- Get Network Information
It connects to the following websites to send and receive information:
- {BLOCKED}ta.org
NOTES:
It performs random GET Request connection to the following URLs to mask outbound connections:
- 0daymusic.biz
- 0kommanix.de
- 0kommanix.de
- 0risiko.de
- 4-elements.ch
- 4-elements.ch
- 4-elements.ch
- 4darabians.nl
- 4darabians.nl
- 4dbabamozi.hu
- 4dbabamozi.hu
- 4dbabamozi.hu
- 4dbenelux.be
- 4dbenelux.be
- 4effect.ca
- 4egolifestyle.de
- 4elementos.cl
- 4elements.cz
- 4elements.hu
- 4elements.pl
- 4emails.de
- 4emotion.pl
- 4enerchi.nl
- 4energia.ee
- 4ernila.de
- 4erotik.de
- 4erotik.de
- 4esport.de
- 4estates.eu
- 4ever-hosting.de
- 4ever4you.de
- 4everandever.de
- 4everevents.nl
- 4everkids.de
- 4evernails.nl
- 4every1.cc
- 4every1.cc
- 4everything.pl
- 8wellesley.ca
- 8zaamarchitecten.nl
- 8zaamarchitecten.nl
- 8zaamarchitecten.nl
- 9online.fr
- 9t6grafikdesign.de
- 9welten.de
- accountingtechs.biz
- accountingtechs.biz
- accountingtechs.biz
- accounting.ee
- accounting.ee
It performs random POST Request connection to the following URLs to mask outbound connections. It may also randomly add the URI /?ptrxcz_{random} to domains below:
- abv.bg
- actuslendlease.com
- adt.com
- aeroinc.net
- alice-dsl.de
- allstate.com
- allstate.com
- aol.com.com
- apollo.lv
- atkearney.com
- atkearney.com
- backaviation.com
- backpacker.com
- bailliegifford.com
- bailliegifford.com
- bassettfurniture.com
- birds.com
- birds.com
- boardermail.com
- bol.com.br
- brick.net
- btopenworld.com
- buffalo.edu
- bumbleandbumble.com
- bumbleandbumble.com
- cablelynx.com
- cablelynx.com
- cableone.net
- cableone.net
- caionline.org
- cancun.com.mx
- cannylink.com
- cantv.net
- capecod.net
- caramail.com
- carolina.com
- catech-systems.com
- centurytel.net
- chat4all.org
- chickensys.com
- clarksville.com
- cnet.com
- col.com
- comcast.net
- comporium.net
- connections-etc.net
- connections-etc.net
- correoweb.com
- cox.com
- cox.net
- croeso.com
- crosspaths.net
- dadlnet.dk
- diamondcpu.com
- diamondcpu.com
- diamondcpu.com
- dicksmail.com
- dr.dk
- dragonmount.com
- dsl.com
- eastlink.ca
- eastlink.ca
- enter.net
- excite.co.jp
- excite.co.uk
- excite.co.uk
- excite.fr
- eznet.net
- frg.eur.nl
- gallatinriver.net
- gallatinriver.net
- gmx.at
- grayfoot.mailshell.com
- happemail.com
- happyhippo.com
- hotmaik.com
- hotmale.com
- hotmiail.com
- idealcollectables.com
- imaginet.com
- in.com
- intuit.com
- iowatelecom.net
- iupui.edu
- iw.com
- iw.com
- juno.net
- karoo.co.uk
- kettering.edu
- kettering.edu
- laposte.net
- machlink.com
- madasfish.com
- mania.com
- mania.com
- marchmail.com
- merck.com
- merck.com
- metallica.com
- metrocast.net
- military.com
- military.com
- mindspring.com
- models.com
- mountainmax.net
- mountainmax.net
- mountainmax.net
- msn.net
- music.com
- musician.org
- mweb.co.za
- myway.com
- nau.edu
- ncable.net.au
- ncable.net.au
- nccn.net
- neobright.net
- netscape.com
- netscape.net
- nifty.com
- ninemsn.com.au
- ninemsn.com.au
- nsatel.net
- o2.co.uk
- oakwood.org
- olemiss.edu
- onebox.com
- ono.com
- ono.es
- oregonstate.edu
- planttel.net
- plasa.com
- popstar.com
- posten.se
- potamkinmitsubishi.com
- primeline.com
- primusonline.com.au
- proftools.lt
- pru-nw.com
- quixnet.net
- redlands.edu
- reihtec.com
- reihtec.com
- robvivian.com
- robvivian.com
- rz-online.de
- rz-online.de
- schoolsports.com
- sexstories.com
- sify.com
- sky.com
- skynet.be
- sol.dk
- spin.com
- spray.se
- spray.se
- sscomputing.com
- start.no
- stupid.com
- su.edu
- suscom.net
- sympatico.com
- t-mobel.com
- tartarus.uwa.edu.au
- terra.cl
- terra.com.br
- the-beach.net
- tigers-net.com
- tinet.org
- tiscali.co.uk
- trib.com
- tylerknott.com
- uakron.edu
- uakron.edu
- ufl.edu
- ufl.edu
- und.edu
- univision.com
- vail.com
- vaxxine.com
- verizon.net
- verizon.net
- verizon.net
- virginia.edu
- vol.com
- vol.com
- vwr-inc.com
- wa-net.com
- wagged.com
- waupacafoundry.com
- wildmail.com
- world-net.co.nz
- www.optonline.com
- x-men.com
- x-men.com
- yahoo.co.jp
- yahoo.com.cn
- zdnetonebox.com
- zeelandnet.nl
- zueliya.com
The sent OS Version information is any of the following format:
- UndefinedOS
- Vista
- Win2K
- Win7
- Win8
- WinHomeServer
- WinServer2003R2
- WinServer2008
- WinServer2003
- WinServer2012
- WinServer2008R2
- WinXP
- WinXP64
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
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as BKDR_PUSHDO.SM
Step 3
Restart in Safe Mode
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
- {random filename} = "%User Profile%\{random filename}.exe"
- {random filename} = "%User Profile%\{random filename}.exe"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
- AppManagement = "{random values}"
- AppManagement = "{random values}"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
- {random filename}zap = "{random values}"
- {random filename}zap = "{random values}"
Step 5
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as BKDR_PUSHDO.SM. 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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