Analysis by: Camille Reyes

ALIASES:

Worm.JS.Bondat (Ikarus); Js.Worm.Bondat.Hssp (Tencent)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Worm

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

It modifies the Internet Explorer Zone Settings.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 98,304 bytes
File Type: JS
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 25 Oct 2017

Arrival Details

This Worm 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 Worm drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name 1}.js

(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)

It drops the following files:

  • {Removable Drive Letter}:\Drive.bat
  • %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name 2}
  • %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name 3}
  • %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name 4}
  • %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name 5}
  • %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name 6}

(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)

It drops and executes the following files:

  • %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name 7}.exe - Copy of wscript.exe

(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)

Autostart Technique

This Worm drops the following shortcut pointing to its copy in the User Startup folder to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

  • %User Startup%\Start.lnk

(Note: %User Startup% is the current user's Startup folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows 2000 and XP, and C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

It drops the following file(s) in the Windows Startup folder to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

  • %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\Start.lnk

(Note: %ProgramData% is the Program Data folder, where it usually is C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\ProgramData in Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)

It drops the following file(s) in the Windows Common Startup folder to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\Start.lnk

(Note: %All Users Profile% is the All Users folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\ProgramData on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)

Propagation

This Worm creates the following folders in all removable drives:

  • {Removable Drive Letter}:\Drive
  • {Removable Drive Letter}:\Drive\{random numbers}

It drops the following copy(ies) of itself in all removable drives:

  • {Removable Drive Letter}:\Drive\{random numbers}\{random file name 8}.js

It creates shortcut files (.LNK) disguised as folders or files located on the affected drives pointing to the malware copy.

Web Browser Home Page and Search Page Modification

This Worm modifies the Internet Explorer Zone Settings.

Other Details

This Worm connects to the following URL(s) to check for an Internet connection:

  • www.microsoft.com

It connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.31.18
  • {BLOCKED}elemetry.com

NOTES:

This worm drops shortcut files whose names correspond to the files and folders in the root directory of the removable drive then hides the original files and folders to trick users. When the shortcut files are double clicked, the dropped copy in {Removable Drive Letter}:\Drive\{random numbers} is executed.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.850
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 13.708.03
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 09 Oct 2017
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 13.709.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 10 Oct 2017

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 4

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.
  • %Application Data%\{random folder name}

Step 5

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.  
  • %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name 2}
  • %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name 3}
  • %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name 4}
  • %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name 5}
  • %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name 6}
  • %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name 7}.exe
  • %User Startup%\Start.lnk
  • %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\Start.lnk
  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\Start.lnk
  • {Removable Drive Letter}:\Drive.bat
  • {Removable Drive Letter}:\Drive\{random numbers}\{random file name 8}.js
  • In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer then press Enter.
  • Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
    *Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).
  • • For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:

    1. Open a Windows Explorer window.
      • For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
      • For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, then click File Explorer.
    2. In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
       
      • %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name 2}
      • %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name 3}
      • %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name 4}
      • %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name 5}
      • %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name 6}
      • %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name 7}.exe
      • %User Startup%\Start.lnk
      • %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\Start.lnk
      • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\Start.lnk
      • {Removable Drive Letter}:\Drive.bat
      • {Removable Drive Letter}:\Drive\{random numbers}\{random file name 8}.js
  • Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
    *Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.
  • Step 6

    Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as JS_BONDAT.GGQQ. 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.

    NOTES:

    Get the files moved from the following folder:

    • {Removable Drive Letter}:\Drive

    Delete the following hidden folders:

    • {Removable Drive Letter}:\Drive
    • {Removable Drive Letter}:\Drive\{random numbers}

    Delete the shortcut files in the removable drives.


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