Analysis by: Ryan Gardo

ALIASES:

Trojan:Win32/Qadars(Microsoft); W32/Yakes.G!tr (Fortinet); Trojan.Sopinar (Malwarebytes)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

This Trojan arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites. However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

It connects to certain websites to send and receive information. It deletes the initially executed copy of itself.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 236,544 bytes
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 13 Nov 2016
Payload: Connects to URLs/IPs, Downloads files

Arrival Details

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

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

Installation

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %malware directory%\emf

It adds the following processes:

  • svchost.exe

It creates the following folders:

  • %Application Data%\{GUID1}

(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 injects codes into the following process(es):

  • svchost.exe

Autostart Technique

This Trojan creates the following registry entries to enable automatic execution of dropped component at every system startup:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{GUID2} = "%Application Data%\{GUID1}\{random filename}.exe"

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry keys as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
CLSID\{GUID2}

Download Routine

This Trojan saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • %Application Data%\{GUID1}\{random name}.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.)

Other Details

This Trojan connects to the following website to send and receive information:

  • http://{DGA}.{net|org|top}/protects.php

It does the following:

  • It checks the following registry and terminates itself if found:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\KasperskyLab
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\AVG
  • Sends the following information to its CnC:
    • Bot ID
    • OS Version
    • Bot Version

It deletes the initially executed copy of itself

NOTES:

The random domains resolve to the following IP addresses:

  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED.207.97
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED.174.92
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED.121.148

  •   SOLUTION

    Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
    FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 12.900.06
    FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 15 Nov 2016
    VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 12.901.00
    VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 16 Nov 2016

    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\Softw{GUID2}are\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
      • {GUID2} = "%Application Data%\{GUID1}\{random filename}.exe"

    Step 5

    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. Before you could do this, you must restart in Safe Mode. For instructions on how to do this, you may refer to this page If the preceding step requires you to restart in safe mode, you may proceed to edit the system registry.

    • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID
      • {GUID2}

    Step 6

    Search and delete these files

    [ 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.
    • {malware directory}\emf

    Step 7

    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%\{GUID1}

    Step 8

    Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TROJ_QADARS.NYY. 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 9

    Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_QADARS.NYY. 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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