BKDR_QAKBOT.SMF
PWS:Win32/Zbot.PG (Microsoft); PWS-Zbot.gen.do (McAfee); Trojan.Gen (Symantec); Trojan-Spy.Win32.Zbot.bbng (Kaspersky); FraudTool.Win32.AVSoft (v) (Sunbelt)
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
Threat Type: Backdoor
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted:
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.
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:
- %System%\sdra64.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.)
Autostart Technique
This backdoor modifies the following registry entries to ensure it automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
userinit = "%System%\userinit.exe,%System%\sdra64.exe,"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %Windows%\system32\userinit.exe,.)
Other System Modifications
This backdoor deletes the following files:
- %System%\sdra64.exe
- %Windows%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore\Logs\edbtmp.log
(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.. %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows or C:\WINNT.)
It adds the following registry keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\microsoft\
windows\currentversion\explorer\
{43BF8CD1-C5D5-2230-7BB2-98F22C2B7DC6}
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\microsoft\
windows\currentversion\explorer\
{5ECCBACD-C6EF-355D-5A40-82CE4647642B}
It adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
{43BF8CD1-C5D5-2230-7BB2-98F22C2B7DC6}
{3039636B-5F3D-6C64-6675-696870667265} = "{random values}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
{43BF8CD1-C5D5-2230-7BB2-98F22C2B7DC6}
{33373039-3132-3864-6B30-303233343434} = "{random values}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
{5ECCBACD-C6EF-355D-5A40-82CE4647642B}
{3039636B-5F3D-6C64-6675-696870667265} = "{random values}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
{5ECCBACD-C6EF-355D-5A40-82CE4647642B}
{33373039-3132-3864-6B30-303233343434} = "{random values}"
Other Details
This backdoor connects to the following possibly malicious URL:
- http://{BLOCKED}time.org/kn11ff/config.bin
This report is generated via an automated analysis system.
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
Identify and delete files detected as BKDR_QAKBOT.SMF using either the Startup Disk or Recovery Console
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\microsoft\windows\currentversion\explorer
- {43BF8CD1-C5D5-2230-7BB2-98F22C2B7DC6}
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\explorer
- {5ECCBACD-C6EF-355D-5A40-82CE4647642B}
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\Explorer\{43BF8CD1-C5D5-2230-7BB2-98F22C2B7DC6}
- {3039636B-5F3D-6C64-6675-696870667265} = "{random values}"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\{43BF8CD1-C5D5-2230-7BB2-98F22C2B7DC6}
- {33373039-3132-3864-6B30-303233343434} = "{random values}"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\{5ECCBACD-C6EF-355D-5A40-82CE4647642B}
- {3039636B-5F3D-6C64-6675-696870667265} = "{random values}"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\{5ECCBACD-C6EF-355D-5A40-82CE4647642B}
- {33373039-3132-3864-6B30-303233343434} = "{random values}"
Step 5
Restore this modified 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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
- From: userinit = "%System%\userinit.exe,%System%\sdra64.exe,"
To: userinit = ""%Windows%\system32\userinit.exe,""
- From: userinit = "%System%\userinit.exe,%System%\sdra64.exe,"
Step 6
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as BKDR_QAKBOT.SMF. 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.
Step 7
Restore this file from backup only Microsoft-related files will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted files related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on you computer again.
- %System%\sdra64.exe
- %Windows%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore\Logs\edbtmp.log
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