BKDR_VAWTRAK.PIC
Backdoor:Win32/Vawtrak.F (Microsoft); Win32/PSW.Papras.DR (ESET-NOD32); Trojan-PSW.Win32.Tepfer.uipc (Kaspersky); Backdoor.Win32.Vawtrak (Ikarus);
Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)
![](/vinfo/imgFiles/legend.jpg)
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. It may be dropped by other malware.
It is injected into all running processes to remain memory resident.
It does not have any propagation routine.
It executes commands from a remote malicious user, effectively compromising the affected system. However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
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.
It may be dropped by the following malware:
Installation
This backdoor drops the following files:
- %All Users Profile%\Application Data\{random filename}.dat - detected also as BKDR_VAWTRAK.PIC
- %ProgramData%\{random filename}.dat - detected also as BKDR_VAWTRAK.PIC (For Windows Vista above)
(Note: %All Users Profile% is the All Users or Common profile folder, which is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users in Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, and C:\ProgramData in Windows Vista and 7.. %ProgramData% is a version of the Program Files folder where any user on a multi-user computer can make changes to programs. This is usually C:\ProgramData in Windows Vista and 7, or C:\Program Files on Windows 2000, XP (32-bit), and Server 2003, or C:\Program Files (x86) on Windows XP (64-bit).)
It is injected into all running processes to remain memory resident.
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} = "regsvr32.exe "%All Users Profile%\Application Data\{random filename}.dat""
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{random filename} = "regsvr32.exe "%ProgramData%\{random filename}.dat"" (For Windows Vista above)
Other System Modifications
This backdoor adds the following registry keys:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID 1}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID 2}
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
CLSID\{CLSID 1}
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
CLSID\{CLSID 2}
It adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
NoProtectedModeBanner = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
TabProcGrowth = "0"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
Zones\3
2500 = "3"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
GlobalUserOffline = "0"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID 1}
#cert = "31"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
CLSID\{CLSID 1}
#cert = "31"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID 2}
{CLSID 3} = "{hex values}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
CLSID\{CLSID 2}
{CLSID 3} = "{hex values}"
Propagation
This backdoor does not have any propagation routine.
Backdoor Routine
This backdoor executes the following commands from a remote malicious user:
- Update itself
- Download and execute files
- List active processes
- Perform remote shell
- Execute file
- Keylog
- Capture Screenshot
- Monitor sound
- Start/Stop process (iexplore.exe, firefox.exe, outlook.exe, explorer.exe, cmd.exe, taskmgr.exe)
- Inject to process
- Get clipboard data
It connects to the following URL(s) to send and receive commands from a remote malicious user:
- {BLOCKED}u.com
- {BLOCKED}m.com
- {BLOCKED}u.net
- {BLOCKED}m.net
However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
Information Theft
This backdoor attempts to steal stored account information used in the following installed File Transfer Protocol (FTP) clients or file manager software:
- 32BitFtp
- 3D-FTP
- AceBIT
- ALFTP
- BitKinex
- BlazeFtp
- Bullet Proof FTP
- ClassicFTP
- CoffeeCup
- COREFTP
- Cryer
- CuteFTP
- CuteFTP 6 Home
- CuteFTP 6 Professional
- CuteFTP 7 Home
- CuteFTP 7 Professional
- CuteFTP 8 Home
- CuteFTP 8 Professional
- CuteFTP Lite
- CuteFTP Pro
- Cyberduck
- DataDirBak
- DeluxeFTP
- Directory Opus
- EasyFTP
- ExpanDrive
- Far
- Far2
- FFFTP
- FileZilla
- FlashFXP
- Fling
- FreshFTP
- Frigate3
- FTP Commander
- FTP CONTROL
- FTP Explorer
- FTP Navigator
- FTP Salt
- FTP++.Link
- FTPGetter
- FTPInfo
- FTPNow
- FTPRush
- FTPShell
- FTPVoyager
- Ghisler
- Global Downloader
- GoFTP
- LeapFTP
- LeechFTP
- LinasFTP
- Martin Prikryl
- My FTP
- NetDrive
- NetSarang
- NexusFile
- Notepad++
- NovaFTP
- Odin
- PuTTY
- RhinoSoft
- RimArts
- Robo-FTP
- SecureFX
- SmartFTP
- SoftX.org
- Staff-FTP
- TurboFTP
- UltraFXP
- Visicom Media
- WebDrive
- WinFTP
- WinZip FTP
- WS_FTP
It attempts to steal stored email credentials from the following:
- IncrediMail
- Outlook
- PocoMail
- The Bat!
- Windows Live Mail
- Windows Mail
- Thunderbird
It attempts to get stored information such as user names, passwords, and hostnames from the following browsers:
- Epic Browser
- Flock
- K-Meleon
- Firefox
- SeaMonkey
- FastStone Browser
NOTES:
This backdoor checks for the presence of the following security-related folders found in %Program Files and &All Users Profile%\Application Data.
- Agnitum
- Alwil Software
- AnVir Task Manager
- ArcaBit
- a-squared Anti-Malware
- a-squared HiJackFree
- AVAST Software
- AVG
- avg8
- Avira
- Avira GmbH
- BitDefender
- BlockPost
- Common Files\Doctor Web
- Common Files\G DATA
- Common Files\P Tools
- Common Files\Symantec Shared
- DefenseWall
- DefenseWall HIPS
- Doctor Web
- DrWeb
- ESET
- FRISK Software
- f-secure
- G DATA
- K7 omputing
- Kaspersky Lab
- Kaspersky Lab Setup Files
- Lavasoft
- Malwarebytes
- Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
- McAfee
- McAfee.com
- Microsoft Security Client
- Microsoft Security Essentials
- Microsoft\Microsoft Antimalware
- Norton AntiVirus
- Online Solutions
- P Tools
- P Tools Internet Security
- Panda Security
- Positive Technologies
- Sandboxie
- Security Task Manager
- Spyware Terminator
- Sunbelt Software
- Symantec
- Trend Micro
- UAenter
- Vba32
- Xore
- Zillya Antivirus
It checks for the presence of the folder %System Root%:\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Local Settings\Application Data\F-SecureF-Secure Internet Security.
Once this backdoor finds an antivirus program (listed above) installed on the affected computer, it then creates the following registry entries to force the antivirus program to run under restricted user privileges:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows\Safer\CodeIdentifiers\
0\Paths\{generated GUID for the antivirus software}
ItemData = "{antivirus software path}"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows\Safer\CodeIdentifiers\
0\Paths\{generated GUID for the antivirus software}
SaferFlags = "0"
This backdoor only performs its intended routine once it is injected in the following processes:
- chrome.exe
- explorer.exe
- firefox.exe
- iexplore.exe
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
Note that not all files, folders, and registry keys and entries are installed on your computer during this malware's/spyware's/grayware's execution. This may be due to incomplete installation or other operating system conditions. If you do not find the same files/folders/registry information, please proceed to the next step.
Step 3
Remove the malware/grayware file that dropped/downloaded BKDR_VAWTRAK.PIC. (Note: Please skip this step if the threat(s) listed below have already been removed.)
Step 4
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as BKDR_VAWTRAK.PIC
Step 5
Restart in Safe Mode
Step 6
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} = "regsvr32.exe "%All Users Profile%\Application Data\{random filename}.dat""
- {random filename} = "regsvr32.exe "%All Users Profile%\Application Data\{random filename}.dat""
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- {random filename} = "regsvr32.exe "%ProgramData%\{random filename}.dat"" (For Windows Vista above)
- {random filename} = "regsvr32.exe "%ProgramData%\{random filename}.dat"" (For Windows Vista above)
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
- NoProtectedModeBanner = "1"
- NoProtectedModeBanner = "1"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
- TabProcGrowth = "0"
- TabProcGrowth = "0"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3
- 2500 = "3"
- 2500 = "3"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
- GlobalUserOffline = "0"
- GlobalUserOffline = "0"
Step 7
Search and delete files detected as BKDR_VAWTRAK.PIC
Step 8
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as BKDR_VAWTRAK.PIC. 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 9
The following created files/folders/registry keys/registry entries cannot be identified by the user since there are no reference values in the created key. The only way it can be identified is by comparing the present system information with a backup. Note that the said components do not have to be deleted since it won't be harmful to the system.
- In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
- {CLSID 1}
- {CLSID 1}
- In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
- {CLSID 2}
- {CLSID 2}
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID
- {CLSID 1}
- {CLSID 1}
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID
- {CLSID 2}
- {CLSID 2}
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