Analysis by: John Rainier Navato
ALIASES:

Trojan:X97M/Emotet.DD (MICROSOFT)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • 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 does not have any propagation routine.

It does not have any backdoor routine.

As of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 97,280 bytes
File Type: XLS
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 19 Dec 2023
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.

Installation

This Trojan adds the following processes:

  • %System%\regsvr32.exe -S {Parent of default Excel save path}\sctm1.ocx
  • %System%\regsvr32.exe -S {Parent of default Excel save path}\sctm2.ocx
  • %System%\regsvr32.exe -S {Parent of default Excel save path}\sctm3.ocx
  • %System%\regsvr32.exe -S {Parent of default Excel save path}\sctm4.ocx

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

Propagation

This Trojan does not have any propagation routine.

Backdoor Routine

This Trojan does not have any backdoor routine.

Rootkit Capabilities

This Trojan does not have rootkit capabilities.

Download Routine

This Trojan connects to the following website(s) to download and execute a malicious file:

  • http://{BLOCKED}ateconsulting.com/_notes/aFZKot9/
  • http://{BLOCKED}htam.com/modules/cvH3FI3vrrmAxH/
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}regitim.net/wp-includes/kBhu9witwga0pg8GrgP/
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}x.com/cgi-bin/JNB/

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • {Parent of default Excel save path}\sctm1.ocx
  • {Parent of default Excel save path}\sctm2.ocx
  • {Parent of default Excel save path}\sctm3.ocx
  • {Parent of default Excel save path}\sctm4.ocx

As of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

Other Details

This Trojan does the following:

  • It contains the following image to lure users in enabling macro content:

It does not exploit any vulnerability.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 18.922.04
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 05 Jan 2024
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 18.923.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 06 Jan 2024

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

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.  
  • {Parent of default Excel save path}\sctm1.ocx
  • {Parent of default Excel save path}\sctm2.ocx
  • {Parent of default Excel save path}\sctm3.ocx
  • {Parent of default Excel save path}\sctm4.ocx

Step 4

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Trojan.XF.EMOTET.EK. 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 the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:


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