Analysis by: Ricardo III Valdez
ALIASES:

Gen:Trojan.Heur.DLP.aq4@aaV09mi (BITDEFENDER)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • 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 connects to a website to send and receive information. However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 3,584 bytes
File Type: DLL
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 15 Mar 2023
Payload: Connects to URLs/IPs, Modifies system registry

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.

Installation

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %Program Files%\COMODO Internet Security\vkise.exe
  • %Program Files%\COMODO Internet Security\cfpconfig.ini
  • %Program Files%\COMODO Internet Security\cmres.dll ← dropped copy

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It adds the following processes:

  • sc create "COMMODO Internet Security Helper Service" DisplayName="COMMODO Internet Security Helper Service" binPath="%Program Files%\COMODO Internet Security\vkise.exe" type= own start= auto error= ignore
  • REG ADD "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce" /v "vkise" /t REG_SZ /d "%Program Files%\COMODO Internet Security\vkise.exe -MUSKJNQ_YHQMCE_LICFWCFD" /f

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It creates the following folders:

  • %Program Files%\COMODO Internet Security

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

Other System Modifications

This Trojan deletes the following files:

  • {Malware File Path}\cfpconfig.ini

Backdoor Routine

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

  • https://offine.{BLOCKED}p.com
  • http://offine.{BLOCKED}p.com
  • http://offine.{BLOCKED}p.com:53

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

Other Details

This Trojan adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
vkise
(Default) = (value not set)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
vkise\MPTEAR
(Default) = (value not set)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
vkise\EYKYHRDYA
ZNECYJQA = {Random Hex Values}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
vkise\VVZTIXCZNP
MKHRPUVY = {Random Hex Values}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
vkise\RRHFDFJRID
ZHGASSMURW = %Program Files%\COMODO Internet Security\vkise.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
vkise = %Program Files%\COMODO Internet Security\vkise.exe -MUSKJNQ_YHQMCE_LICFWCFD

It adds and runs the following services:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\COMMODO Internet Security Helper Service
Image Path = %Program Files%\COMODO Internet Security\vkise.exe

It does the following:

  • It requires the existence of the following files in order to proceed to its intended routines:
    • {Malware File Path}\vkise.exe ← Legitimate vkise.exe
    • %System%\cfpconfig.ini ← Encrypted payload
  • It executes and injects malicious codes on a legitimate svchost.exe process.

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

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 18.334.04
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 22 Mar 2023
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 18.335.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 23 Mar 2023

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

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
    • vkise = %Program Files%\COMODO Internet Security\vkise.exe -MUSKJNQ_YHQMCE_LICFWCFD

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.

  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
    • vkise
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\vkise\
    • MPTEAR
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\vkise\
    • EYKYHRDYA
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\vkise\
    • VVZTIXCZNP
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\vkise\
    • RRHFDFJRID
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\
    • COMMODO Internet Security Helper Service

Step 6

Disable this malware service

[ Learn More ]
  • Service Name: COMMODO Internet Security Helper Service
    Image Path: %Program Files%\COMODO Internet Security\vkise.exe

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.
  • %System%\cfpconfig.ini
  • {Malware File Path}\vkise.exe
  • %Program Files%\COMODO Internet Security\vkise.exe
  • %Program Files%\COMODO Internet Security\cfpconfig.ini
  • %Program Files%\COMODO Internet Security\cmres.dll

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.
  • %Program Files%\COMODO Internet Security

Step 9

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as Trojan.Win32.FASONG.WLDD. 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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