BKDR_ZACCESS.NTW
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 may be downloaded by other malware/grayware from remote 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 may be downloaded by the following malware/grayware from remote sites:
- JAVA_EXPLOYT.NTW
Installation
This backdoor drops the following component file(s):
- %User Temp%\msimg32.dll - detected as BKDR_ZACESS.SMQQ
(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.)
It drops the following non-malicious file:
- %User Temp%\InstallFlashPlayer.exe
(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.)
Its DLL component is injected to the following process(es):
- explorer.exe
- svchost.exe
It creates the following folders:
- %Application Data%\{GUID}\L
- %Application Data%\{GUID}\U
- %Windows%\Installer\{GUID}\L
- %Windows%\Installer\{GUID}\U
(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista and 7.. %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows.)
Other System Modifications
This backdoor deletes the following registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\BITS
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\iphlpsvc
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\MpsSvc
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\SharedAccess
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\WinDefend
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\wscsvc
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\wuauserv
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\
Windows Defender
Backdoor Routine
This backdoor executes the following commands from a remote malicious user:
- Download and execute arbitrary files
- Get drive information
It connects to the following websites to send and receive information:
- http://j.{BLOCKED}d.com/app/geoip.js
Process Termination
This backdoor terminates processes or services that contain any of the following strings if found running in the affected system's memory:
- wscntfy.exe
- MSASCui.exe
- MpCmdRun.exe
- NisSrv.exe
- msseces.exe
- SharedAccess
- windefend
- MsMpSvc
- iphlpsvc
- wscsvc
- mpssvc
NOTES:
It patches %System%\services.exe and saves the original copy in %System%\Winsxs\Backup\services.exe.
- Patched 64-bit %System%\services.exe - detected as PTCH64_ZACCESS.A
- Patched Win7 32-bit %System%\services.exe - detected as PTCH_ZACCESS.A
It connects to the following website to simulate clicking on pay-per-install links:
- www.{BLOCKED}reecounters.com/5699002-2F6F334BF9ACF1B2401D3874A5B0C048/counter.img?theme={Random Value}&digits=10&siteId={Site ID}
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
Remove the malware/grayware file dropped/downloaded by BKDR_ZACCESS.NTW
Step 4
Restart in Safe Mode
Step 5
Search and delete these folders
- %Application Data%\{GUID}\L
- %Application Data%\{GUID}\U
- %Windows%\Installer\{GUID}\L
- %Windows%\Installer\{GUID}\U
Step 6
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as BKDR_ZACCESS.NTW. 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 these deleted registry keys/values from backup
*Note: Only Microsoft-related keys/values will be restored. If the malware/grayware also deleted registry keys/values related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on your computer.
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\BITS
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\iphlpsvc
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\MpsSvc
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\SharedAccess
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\WinDefend
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\wscsvc
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\wuauserv
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\Windows Defender
Step 8
Restore these deleted files from backup
*Note: Only Microsoft-related keys/values will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted registry keys/values related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on your computer.
NOTES:
Please perform this step before proceeding to Step 8:
Move services.exe from %System%\Winsxs\Backup to %System%.
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