Analysis by: Jennifer Gumban

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan Spy

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel: Downloaded from the Internet

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 deletes itself after execution.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 1,450,500 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 08 Jun 2017
Payload: Connects to URLs/IPs, Terminates processes

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 drops a copy of itself in the following folders using different file names:

  • %Windows%\Prefetch\wuauser.exe

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

It drops the following files:

  • %Temp%\{random value}.{random value}_Miner_.log

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

Autostart Technique

This Trojan Spy adds and runs the following services:

  • Service Name: WELM
    Display Name: Windows Event Log Management
    Start Type: SERVICE_AUTO_START
    Binary Pathname: %Windows%\Prefetch\wuauser.exe --server

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

Backdoor Routine

This Trojan Spy connects to the following URL(s) to send and receive commands from a remote malicious user:

  • http://07.{BLOCKED}566.com/install/start
  • http://07.{BLOCKED}566.com/install/{random values}
  • http://07.{BLOCKED}566.com/mine.txt
  • http://07.{BLOCKED}566.com/report?hasWanIP={value}&ver={version}&os={os}&arch={architecture}&cpufreq={value}&cpunum={number}&mem={value}

Process Termination

This Trojan Spy terminates processes or services that contain any of the following strings if found running in the affected system's memory:

  • hdmanager.exe
  • mmc.exe
  • WHDMIDE

Download Routine

This Trojan Spy accesses the following websites to download files:

  • http://07.{BLOCKED}566.com/86.exe

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • %Windows%\security\msiexev.exe

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

Other Details

This Trojan Spy does the following:

  • Modifies Internet Protocol Security configuration by adding network rules, policies, and permissions.

It deletes itself after execution.

It checks for the presence of the following antivirus and security applications:

  • avp.exe
  • nod32krn.exe
  • mcshield.exe
  • ccsvchst.exe
  • 360sd.exe
  • avguard.exe
  • msseces.exe
  • avastsvc.exe
  • avgnsx.exe
  • spidernt.exe
  • kwatch.exe
  • xcomsvr.exe
  • fsdfwd.exe
  • ravmon.exe
  • sfctlcom.exe
  • qhlpsvc.exe
  • guardxservice.exe

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.850
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 13.408.03
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 14 May 2017
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 13.409.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 15 May 2017

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

Identify and terminate files detected as TSPY_COINMINER.AW

[ Learn More ]
  1. Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
  2. If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

Step 4

Disable this malware service

[ Learn More ]
    • Service Name: WELM

Step 5

Search and delete this file

[ 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%\security\msiexev.exe
  • %Temp%\{random value}.{random value}_Miner_.log

Step 6

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TSPY_COINMINER.AW. 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 7

Reset Internet security settings

[ Learn More ]


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