Analysis by: Ryan Gardo
 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 794 192 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 13 Oct 2016

Installation

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %Application Data%\kemel32.dll

(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 adds the following processes:

  • powershell.exe

Autostart Technique

This Trojan adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
WindowsUpdateService = "%Application Data%\wuservice.exe"

Other Details

This Trojan requires the following additional components to properly run:

  • "%Application Data%\wuservice.exe"
  • %User Temp%\runmebabe.txt
  • %User Temp%\runmebabe2.txt

(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.. %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp 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 does the following:

  • Terminates process if the following strings are found in its process name:
    • wireshark
    • olly
    • windbg
    • immunity

  • Avoids being run in a virtual environment by doing the following:
      Checks for the presence of the the string "VBOX" in the following registry entries:
      • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\ACPI\DSDT
      • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \HARDWARE\ACPI\FADT
      • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \HARDWARE\ACPI\RSDT

      Checks for the presence of the string "vmware" in the following registry entries:
      • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \HARDWARE\DEVICEMAP\Scsi\Scsi Port 0\Scsi Bus 0\Target Id 0\Logical Unit Id 0
      • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \HARDWARE\DEVICEMAP\Scsi\Scsi Port 1\Scsi Bus 0\Target Id 0\Logical Unit Id 0
      • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \HARDWARE\DEVICEMAP\Scsi\Scsi Port 2\Scsi Bus 0\Target Id 0\Logical Unit Id 0

      Checks the system's MAC address OUI (Organizational Unique Identifier).
      • 08:00:27 (Vbox)
      • 00:05:69 (VMware)
      • 00:1c:14 (VMware)
      • 00:0c:29 (VMware)
      • 00:50:56 (VMware)

      Checks the following strings in the system's network configuration:
      • virtual
      • vmware

  • Terminates process if the following strings are found in its company name:
    • sysinternals

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800

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

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • WindowsUpdateService = "%Application Data%\wuservice.exe"

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%\kernel32.dll

Step 6

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_POWLOAD.ENS. 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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