Analysis by: Nikko Tamana
ALIASES:

Trojan.Win32.ShipUp.bnv (Kaspersky)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • 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.

It uses the Windows Task Scheduler to add a scheduled task that executes the copies it drops.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: Varies
File Type: DLL, EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 17 Mar 2013
Payload: Drops files, Connects to URLs/IPs

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.

It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting the following malicious websites:

  • http://{BLOCKED}o.{BLOCKED}v.ru/uploads/posts/2011-09/1316367701_wellness1.jpg

Installation

This Trojan drops the following file(s)/component(s):

  • {All Users' Profile}\Application Data\Mozilla\{random file name}.exe - Also detected as TROJ_SHIPUP.CG
  • {All Users' Profile}\Application Data\Mozilla\{random file name}.dll - Also detected as TROJ_SHIPUP.CG
  • %Windows%\Tasks\{random file name}.job

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows.)

It uses the Windows Task Scheduler to add a scheduled task that executes the copies it drops.

It creates the following folders:

  • {All Users' Profile}\Application Data\Mozilla

Autostart Technique

This Trojan modifies the following registry entry(ies) to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
AppInit_DLLs = "{All Users' Profile}\Application Data\Mozilla\{random file name}.dll"

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

The scheduled task executes the malware every:

  • System Startup

Other System Modifications

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
LoadAppInit_DLLs = "1"

NOTES:

It attempts to download a possibly malicious file from a certain site and save it as %User Temp%\jngyes.tmp. But due to an error in its code, it does not resolve the download site.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.300
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 9.792.08
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 17 Mar 2013
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 9.793.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 18 Mar 2013

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

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as TROJ_SHIPUP.CG

Step 3

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 4

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
    • From: AppInit_DLLs = "{All Users' Profile}\Application Data\Mozilla\{random file name}.dll"
      To: AppInit_DLLs = ""

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\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
    • LoadAppInit_DLLs = "1"

Step 6

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.
  • {All Users' Profile}\Application Data\Mozilla

Step 7

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.
  • %Windows%\Tasks\{random file name}.job

Step 8

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


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.