ALIASES:

Worm:Win32/Nuqel.AT [non_writable_container] (Microsoft); W32/Yahlover.worm.gen.k (McAfee); W32.Imaut.CN (Symantec); Worm.Win32.AutoIt.ru (Kaspersky); W32/AutoIt-IN (Sophos); Trojan.Win32.Generic!BT (Sunbelt)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Worm

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 687,473 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 26 Mar 2020

Arrival Details

This Worm 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 Worm adds the following processes:

  • %System%\cmd.exe /C AT /delete /yes
  • %System%\cmd.exe /C AT 09:00 /interactive /EVERY:m,t,w,th,f,s,su %Desktop%\SICHOST.exe

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.. %Desktop% is the current user's desktop, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Desktop on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Yahoo Messengger = "%Desktop%\SICHOST.exe"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
google = "http://advgoogle.{BLOCKED}ot.com"

Other System Modifications

This Worm adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\
Winlogon
Shell = "Explorer.exe SICHOST.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\Schedule
AtTaskMaxHours = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MAIN
Default_Page_URL = "http://www.{BLOCKED}heta.blogspot.com"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MAIN
Default_Search_URL = "http://www.{BLOCKED}heta.blogspot.com"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MAIN
Search Page = "http://www.{BLOCKED}heta.blogspot.com"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MAIN
Start Page = "http://www.{BLOCKED}heta.blogspot.com"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
WorkgroupCrawler\Shares
shared = "\New Folder.exe"

Dropping Routine

This Worm drops the following files:

  • F:\autorun.inf
  • %Desktop%\autorun.ini
  • F:\New Folder.exe
  • F:\data\photos\photos.exe
  • F:\data\data.exe
  • %Desktop%\SICHOST.exe
  • F:\SICHOST.exe

(Note: %Desktop% is the current user's desktop, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Desktop on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

Other Details

This Worm connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://lotusspring3.{BLOCKED}5.com

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.850

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

Identify and terminate files detected as Worm.Win32.SOHANAD.AH

[ 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

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
    • Yahoo Messengger = "%Desktop%\SICHOST.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • google = "http://advgoogle.{BLOCKED}ot.com"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
    • Shell = "Explorer.exe SICHOST.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\Schedule
    • AtTaskMaxHours = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MAIN
    • Default_Page_URL = "http://www.{BLOCKED}heta.blogspot.com"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MAIN
    • Default_Search_URL = "http://www.{BLOCKED}heta.blogspot.com"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MAIN
    • Search Page = "http://www.{BLOCKED}heta.blogspot.com"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MAIN
    • Start Page = "http://www.{BLOCKED}heta.blogspot.com"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\WorkgroupCrawler\Shares
    • shared = "\New Folder.exe"

Step 5

Search and delete these components

[ Learn More ]
There may be some components 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.
  • F:\autorun.inf
  • %Desktop%\autorun.ini
  • F:\New Folder.exe
  • F:\data\photos\photos.exe
  • F:\data\data.exe
  • %Desktop%\SICHOST.exe
  • F:\SICHOST.exe

Step 6

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as Worm.Win32.SOHANAD.AH. 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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