Analysis by: Melvin Jhun Palbusa
ALIASES:

Win32:MalwareX-gen [Trj] (AVASt); Trojan:Win32/Qakbot.PM!MTB (MICROSOFT))

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan Spy

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

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

It executes commands from a remote malicious user, effectively compromising the affected system.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 426,158 bytes
File Type: DLL
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 14 Feb 2023
Payload: Connects to URLs/IPs, Collects system information, Drops files, Modifies system registry

Arrival Details

This Trojan Spy 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 Spy adds the following processes:

  • Depending on the number of AV products that was found to be running in the system and the machine architecture it would choose from the following:
    • %system%\AtBroker.exe
    • %System%\wermgr.exe
    • %System%\msra.exe
    • %System%\backgroundTaskHost.exe
    • %Program Files%\Internet Explorer\iexplorer.exe
  • %System%\schtasks.exe /Create /RU "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM" /tn {Random} /tr "rundll32.exe \"{Malware Full Path and Name}.dll,Wind\"" /SC ONCE /Z /ST {Start Time} /ET {End Time}
  • whoami /all
  • cmd /c set
  • arp -a
  • ipconfig /all
  • net view /all
  • nslookup -querytype=ALL -timeout=10 _ldap._tcp.dc._msdcs.WORKGROUP
  • nltest /domain_trusts /all_trusts
  • net share
  • route print
  • netstat -nao
  • net localgroup
  • qwinsta

(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 mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:

  • Global\{GUID}

It injects codes into the following process(es):

  • Depending on the number of AV products that was found to be running in the system and the machine architecture it would choose from the following:
    • %Windows%\wermgr.exe
    • %System%\backgroundTaskHost.exe
    • %System%\msra.exe
    • %System%\AtBroker.exe
    • %Program Files%\Internet Explorer\iexplorer.exe

(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).)

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{Random} = rundll32.exe {Malware Full Path and Name}.dll,Wind

Backdoor Routine

This Trojan Spy executes the following commands from a remote malicious user:

  • Update Self
  • Update Configuration
  • Download and Install Plugins
  • Terminate Processes
  • Drop Files
  • Drop Files and Run

Information Theft

This Trojan Spy gathers the following data:

  • Computer Name
  • Username
  • IP address
  • Operating System Information
  • Processor Information
  • Installed Antivirus Products
  • Running Processes

Stolen Information

This Trojan Spy sends the gathered information via HTTP POST to the following URL:

  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.186.195:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.31.249:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.14:50000/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.176.218:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.176.97:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.45.81:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.204.71:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.14.72:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.25.165:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.236.149:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.147.177:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.42.67:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.72.139:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.101.164:50000/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.24.154:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.184.149:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.110.133:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.173.82:50001/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.17.149:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.144.105:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.7.6:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.204.82:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.156.14:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.53.166:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.158.118:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.69.229:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.216.238:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.105.242:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.40:61202/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.206.65:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.14.107:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.154.19:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.173.82:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.204.2:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.51.138:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.69.244:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.119.20:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.241.104:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.196.114:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.80.210:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.204.71:993/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.176.234:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.173.82:20/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.40:2078/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.86.238:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.200.140:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.22.28:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.175.42:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.210.63:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.102.224:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.173.82:465/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.23.67:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.30.133:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.42.122:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.72.56:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.126.3:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.120.191:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.208.137:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.41.77:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.48.205:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.123.159:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.177.88:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.138.217:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.173.82:32101/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.216.98:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.117.95:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.173.82:2087/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.252.153:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.48.233:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.26.14:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.196.11:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.173.82:990/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.221.16:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.214.138:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.132.174:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.100.207:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.243.113:50000/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.231.59:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.101.183:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.202.22:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.51.242:993/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.191.120:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.12.217:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.204.71:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.108.183:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.98.62:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.115.68:32100/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.98.62:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.163.165:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.250.18:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.180.14:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.180.154:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.240.16:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.72.114:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.77.115:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.115.126:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.50.151:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.63.203:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.159.67:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.111.66:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.17.92:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.74.165:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.84.65:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.186.116:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.51.138:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.19.254:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.184.134:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.71.201:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.132.224:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.173.82:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.122.74:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.125.215:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.116.233:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.91.69:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.7.228:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.226.137:995/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.175.47:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.104.2:2222/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.95.10:443/t5
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.97.83:995/t5

Other Details

This Trojan Spy adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
{Random}

It checks for the presence of the following process(es):

  • frida-winjector-helper-32.exe
  • frida-winjector-helper-64.exe
  • tcpdump.exe
  • windump.exe
  • ethereal.exe
  • wireshark.exe
  • ettercap.exe
  • rtsniff.exe
  • packetcapture.exe
  • capturenet.exe
  • qak-proxy
  • dumpcap.exe
  • CFF Explorer.exe
  • not_rundll23.exe
  • ProcessHacker.exe
  • tcpview.exe
  • filemon.exe
  • procmon.exe
  • idaq64.exe
  • loaddll32.exe
  • PETools.exe
  • ImportREC.exe
  • LordPE.exe
  • Inspector.exe
  • proc_analyzer.exe
  • sysAnaylzer.exe
  • sniff_hit.exe
  • joeboxcontrol.exe
  • joeboxserver.exe
  • ResourceHacker.exe
  • x64dbg.exe
  • Fiddler.exe

It does the following:

  • It checks the presence of the following Anti-Virus and Security Applications:
    • ccSvcHst.exe
    • NortonSecurity.exe
    • nsWscSvc.exe
    • avgcsrvx.exe
    • avgcsvcx.exe
    • avgcsrva.exe
    • MsMpEng.exe
    • mcshield.exe
    • avp.exe
    • kavtray.exe
    • egui.exe
    • ekrn.exe
    • bdagent.exe
    • vsserv.exe
    • vsservppl.exe
    • AvastSvc.exe
    • aswEngSrv.exe
    • aswToolsSvc.exe
    • afwServ.exe
    • aswidsagent.exe
    • AvastUI.exe
    • coreServiceShell.exe
    • PccNTMon.exe
    • NTRTScan.exe
    • SophosUI.exe
    • SAVAdminService.exe
    • SavService.exe
    • fshoster32.exe
    • WRSA.exe
    • vkise.exe
    • isesrv.exe
    • cmdagent.exe
    • Bytefence.exe
    • MBAMService.exe
    • mbamgui.exe
    • fmon.exe
    • dwengine.exe
    • dwarkdaemon.exe
    • dwwatcher.exe
    • SentinelServiceHost.exe
    • SentinelStaticEngine.exe
    • SentinelAgent.exe
    • SentinelStaticEngineScanner.exe
    • SentinelUI.exe
    • SonicWallClientProtectionService.exe
    • CynetEPS.exe
    • CynetMS.exe
    • CynetConsole.exe
    • CSFalconService.exe
    • CSFalconContainer.exe
    • RepUx.exe
    • CrAmTray.exe
    • csc_ui.exe
    • xagtnotif.exe
    • AppUIMonitor.exe
  • After it is succesful in injecting its codes into its target process, it will wipe its original binary with zeros and leave only the headers intact.
  • It establishes its persistence with the following routine:
    • It will only create its autostart registry entry if it detects that the system it is running on is about to restart or shutdown.
    • It will also write its code again in the original binary that was wiped previously before the system reboots or shutdowns.
    • When the system it is running on boots again, it would proceed to inject itself again to its target process and then proceed to wipe the binary and delete the autostart registry entry and binary.
  • It stores its encrypted configuration in the registry key that it creates.

It adds the following scheduled tasks:

  • Task Name: {Random}
    Task Action: rundll32.exe {Malware Full Path and Name}.dll,Wind

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 18.288.03
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 02 Mar 2023
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 18.289.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 03 Mar 2023

Step 1

Trend Micro Predictive Machine Learning detects and blocks malware at the first sign of its existence, before it executes on your system. When enabled, your Trend Micro product detects this malware under the following machine learning name:

    • TROJ.Win32.TRX.XXPE50FFF065E0002

Step 2

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 3

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 4

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 5

Deleting Scheduled Tasks

The following {Task Name} - {Task to be run} listed should be used in the steps identified below:  

  • Task Name: {Random}
    Task to be run: rundll32.exe  {Malware Full Path and Name}.dll,Wind

For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:

  1. Open the Windows Scheduled Tasks. Click Start>Programs>Accessories>
    System Tools>Scheduled Tasks.
  2. Locate each {Task Name} values listed above in the Name column.
  3. Right-click on the said file(s) with the aforementioned value.
  4. Click on Properties. In the Run field, check for the listed {Task to be run}.
  5. If the strings match the list above, delete the task.

For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:

  1. Open the Windows Task Scheduler. To do this:
    • On Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008, click Start, type taskschd.msc in the Search input field, then press Enter.
    • On Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Run, type taskschd.msc, then press Enter.
  2. In the left panel, click Task Scheduler Library.
  3. In the upper-middle panel, locate each {Task Name} values listed above in the Name column.
  4. In the lower-middle panel, click the Actions tab. In the Details column, check for the {Task to be run} string.
  5. If the said string is found, delete the task.

Step 6

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
    • {Random} = rundll32.exe {Malware Full Path and Name}.dll,Wind

Step 7

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\{Random}

Step 8

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TrojanSpy.Win32.QAKBOT.YXDBN. 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:

Step 9

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TrojanSpy.Win32.QAKBOT.YXDBN. 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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