Analysis by: Clive Fuentebella
 Modified by: Paul Steven Nadera
ALIASES:

a variant of Win32/CoinMiner.ES potentially unwanted application, a variant of Win32/CoinMiner.ES potentially unwanted application (NOD32); Trojan.Phominer (QUICKHEAL); Riskware.PythMiner (VBA32)

 PLATFORM:

Windows, Linux

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

  • Threat Type: Coinminer

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

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

It does not have any backdoor routine.

It gathers certain information on the affected computer.

It uses the system's central processing unit (CPU) and/or graphical processing unit (GPU) resources to mine cryptocurrency.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 6,271,268 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 29 Dec 2019
Payload: Drops files, Terminates processes

Arrival Details

This Coinminer 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 Coinminer adds the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}

(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(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %Temp% is the Windows temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\Temp on all Windows operating system versions.)

It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system and executes them:

  • %User Profile%\HelpPane.exe -> Detected as Coinminer.Win32.MALXMR.TIAOODDC

(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\Crypto.Cipher._AES.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\Microsoft.VC90.CRT.manifest
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_ctypes.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_hashlib.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_socket.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_ssl.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_win32sysloader.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\bz2.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\ftpcrack.exe.manifest
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\msvcm90.dll
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\msvcp90.dll
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\msvcr90.dll
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\netifaces.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\perfmon.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\psutil._psutil_windows.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\pyexpat.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\python27.dll
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\pywintypes27.dll
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\select.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\servicemanager.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\unicodedata.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\win32api.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\win32event.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\win32evtlog.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\win32service.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\Include\pyconfig.h
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\back.jpg → DLL File loaded by the malware during execution
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\certifi\cacert.pem
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\config.json → configuration file of the coinminer which contains the algorithm, username, password, URL, etc. used.
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\httplib2\cacerts.txt
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\xmrig.exe → executes the coinminer payload of the malware detected as Coinminer.Win32.MALREP.THCODBO
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\Crypto.Cipher._AES.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\Microsoft.VC90.CRT.manifest
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_ctypes.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_hashlib.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_socket.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_ssl.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_win32sysloader.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\bz2.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\ftpcrack.exe.manifest
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\msvcm90.dll
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\msvcp90.dll
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\msvcr90.dll
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\netifaces.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\perfmon.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\psutil._psutil_windows.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\pyexpat.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\python27.dll
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\pywintypes27.dll
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\select.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\servicemanager.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\unicodedata.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\win32api.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\win32event.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\win32evtlog.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\win32service.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\Include\pyconfig.h
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\back.jpg → DLL File loaded by the malware during execution
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\certifi\cacert.pem
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\config.json → configuration file of the coinminer which contains the algorithm, username, password, URL, etc. used.
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\httplib2\cacerts.txt
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\xmrig.exe → executes the coinminer payload of the malware detected as Coinminer.Win32.MALREP.THCODBO
  • %Temp%\config → config file read by the malware during its execution
  • %Temp%\link.txt → shortcut file pointing to Photos.scr (filename used by the malware for its copy sent to connected ftp servers)
  • %Temp%\config.json → configuration file of the coinminer which contains the algorithm, username, password, URL, etc. used.
  • %Temp%\xmrig.exe → executes the coinminer payload of the malware. Detected as Coinminer.Win32.MALREP.THCODBO

(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(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %Temp% is the Windows temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\Temp on all Windows operating system versions.)

It adds the following processes:

  • %System%\cmd.exe /c copy /y {Malware file path and name} %User Profile%\HelpPane.exe
  • %System%\cmd.exe /c %User Profile%\HelpPane.exe --startup auto install
  • %System%\cmd.exe /c %User Profile%\HelpPane.exe start

(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

Autostart Technique

This Coinminer adds and runs the following services:

    • Service Name: StateftpService
    • Display Name: Application State ftp Service
    • Service Description: Application Support State ftp Service
    • Start Type: SERVICE_AUTO_START
    • Binary Pathname: %User Profile%\HelpPane.exe

(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

Other System Modifications

This Coinminer deletes the following files:

  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\Crypto.Cipher._AES.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\Microsoft.VC90.CRT.manifest
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_ctypes.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_hashlib.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_socket.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_ssl.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_win32sysloader.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\bz2.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\ftpcrack.exe.manifest
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\msvcm90.dll
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\msvcp90.dll
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\msvcr90.dll
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\netifaces.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\perfmon.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\psutil._psutil_windows.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\pyexpat.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\python27.dll
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\pywintypes27.dll
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\select.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\servicemanager.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\unicodedata.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\win32api.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\win32event.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\win32evtlog.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\win32service.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\Include\pyconfig.h
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\back.jpg
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\certifi\cacert.pem
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\config.json
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\httplib2\cacerts.txt
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\xmrig.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(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It deletes the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}

(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(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\StateftpService\PythonClass
(Default) = %User Profile%\HelpPane.PythonService

Backdoor Routine

This Coinminer does not have any backdoor routine.

Rootkit Capabilities

This Coinminer does not have rootkit capabilities.

Process Termination

This Coinminer terminates processes or services that contain any of the following strings if found running in the affected system's memory:

  • Terminates the processes with the following strings/substrings:
    • xmr
    • miner
  • Terminates processes with the following strings in their commandline arguments:
    • xmr
    • miner
    • tcp://
    • stratum

Information Theft

This Coinminer gathers the following information on the affected computer:

  • Operating System (Windows or Linux)
  • User Privilege (Admin or User)

Other Details

This Coinminer adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\StateftpService\PythonClass

It does the following:

  • It connects to the following URL for its coinmining activities:
    • http://xmr.{BLOCKED}-pool.fr:3333
  • It generates random ip addresses and uses bruteforce to connect to ftp servers using ports 21 or 2121. It then drops a copy of itself with the following file names:
    • Photo.scr
    • Video.scr
    • AV.scr
    It also uploads a shortcut file corresponding to dropped copy using the following file names:
    • Photo.lnk
    • Video.lnk
    • AV.lnk
    It searches for files with the following extensions:
    • html
    • htm
    • php
    • asp
    • stm
    • dhtm
    • phtm
    • xht
    • mht
    • htx
    • aspx
    • jsp
    • cgi
    • shtm
    • xml
    then adds an iframe that will execute the dropped copy.

It accepts the following parameters:

  • These parameters are contained inside the config file:
    • ‘[mdf]’ {command} ‘[/mdf]’ - Download File.
    • ‘[mdr]’ {command} ‘[/mdr]’ - Download and Run File + kill specified process names
    • ‘[mud]’ {command} ‘[/mud]’ - Update Self
    • ‘[mrn]’ {command} ‘[/mrn]’ - Execute Command

It does not exploit any vulnerability.

It uses the system's central processing unit (CPU) and/or graphical processing unit (GPU) resources to mine cryptocurrency. This behavior makes the system run abnormally slow.

It uses the following set of credentials to brute force and gain access to the system:

  • Username Dictionary:
    • 'www'
    • 'anonymous'
    • 'admin'
    • 'Admin'
    • 'root'
    • 'db'
    • 'wwwroot'
    • 'data'
    • 'web'
    • 'ftp'
    • 'administrator'
    • 'user'
    • 'user123'
    • 'test'
    • 'www-data'
  • Password Dictionary:
    • 'anonymous'
    • '123456'
    • 'admin'
    • 'root'
    • 'password'
    • '123123'
    • '123'
    • 'pass1234'
    • '{user}'
    • '{user}{user}'
    • '{user}1'
    • '{user}123'
    • '{user}2016'
    • '{user}2015'
    • '{user}!'
    • ''
    • 'P@ssw0rd!!'
    • 'qwa123'
    • '12345678'
    • 'test'
    • '123qwe!@#'
    • '123456789'
    • '123321'
    • '1314520'
    • '159357'
    • '{user}2017'
    • '666666'
    • 'woaini'
    • 'fuckyou'
    • '000000'
    • '1234567890'
    • '8888888'
    • 'qwerty'
    • '1qaz2wsx'
    • 'abc123'
    • 'abc123456'
    • '1q2w3e4r'
    • '123qwe'
    • '{user}2019'
    • '{user}2018'
    • 'p@ssw0rd'
    • 'p@55w0rd'
    • 'password!'
    • 'p@ssw0rd!'
    • 'password1'
    • 'r00t'
    • 'tomcat'
    • '5201314'
    • 'system'
    • 'pass'
    • '1234'
    • '12345'
    • '1234567'
    • 'devry'
    • '111111'
    • 'admin123'
    • 'derok010101'
    • 'windows'
    • 'email@email.com'
    • 'qazxswedc`123'
    • 'qwerty123456'
    • 'qazxswedc'

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.850
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 15.590.08
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 30 Dec 2019
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 15.591.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 31 Dec 2019

Step 1

Trend Micro Predictive Machine Learning detects and blocks malware at the first sign of its existence, before it executes on your system. When enabled, your Trend Micro product detects this malware under the following machine learning name:

    • Troj.Win32.TRX.XXPE50FFF033

Step 2

Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.

Step 3

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 4

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 5

Disable this malware service

[ Learn More ]
  • StateftpService

Step 6

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\StateftpService\PythonClass
    • (Default) = " %User Profile%\HelpPane.PythonService"

Step 7

Delete this registry key

[ 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.

  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\StateftpService\PythonClass

Step 8

Search and delete this file

[ Learn More ]
There may be some files that are hidden. Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the "More advanced options" option to include all hidden files and folders in the search result.
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\Crypto.Cipher._AES.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\Microsoft.VC90.CRT.manifest
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_ctypes.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_hashlib.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_socket.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_ssl.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_win32sysloader.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\bz2.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\ftpcrack.exe.manifest
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\msvcm90.dll
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\msvcp90.dll
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\msvcr90.dll
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\netifaces.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\perfmon.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\psutil._psutil_windows.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\pyexpat.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\python27.dll
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\pywintypes27.dll
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\select.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\servicemanager.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\unicodedata.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\win32api.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\win32event.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\win32evtlog.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\win32service.pyd
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\Include\pyconfig.h
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\back.jpg
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\certifi\cacert.pem
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\config.json
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\httplib2\cacerts.txt
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\xmrig.exe
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\Crypto.Cipher._AES.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\Microsoft.VC90.CRT.manifest
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_ctypes.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_hashlib.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_socket.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_ssl.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\_win32sysloader.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\bz2.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\ftpcrack.exe.manifest
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\msvcm90.dll
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\msvcp90.dll
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\msvcr90.dll
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\netifaces.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\perfmon.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\psutil._psutil_windows.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\pyexpat.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\python27.dll
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\pywintypes27.dll
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\select.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\servicemanager.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\unicodedata.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\win32api.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\win32event.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\win32evtlog.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\win32service.pyd
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\Include\pyconfig.h
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\back.jpg
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\certifi\cacert.pem
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\config.json
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\httplib2\cacerts.txt
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}\xmrig.exe
  • %Temp%\config
  • %Temp%\link.txt
  • %Temp%\config.json
  • %Temp%\xmrig.exe

Step 9

Search and delete this folder

[ Learn More ]
Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden folders in the search result.
  • %Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}
  • %User Temp%\_MEI{Random numbers}

Step 10

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as Coinminer.Win32.MALXMR.TIAOODDC. 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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