Analysis by: Christopher Talampas
ALIASES:

Worm:Win32/Dorkbot.I (Microsoft), Trojan-PWS.Win32.Zbot (Ikarus)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)

 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: 124,928 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 18 Apr 2013

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 drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %Application Data%\ScreenSaverPro.scr
  • %Application Data%\temp.bin

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista and 7.)

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
Screen Saver Pro 3.1 = "%Application Data%\ScreenSaverPro.scr"

Other System Modifications

This worm adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\
Paint

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\
Paint\Colors

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\
Paint\General-Summary

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\
Paint\Recent File List

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\
Paint\Settings

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\
Paint\Text

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\
Paint\View

Dropping Routine

This worm drops the following files:

  • %Application Data%\{Random Digits}.exe

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista and 7.)

Other Details

This worm connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}.246.240/{Random}.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}.246.104/{Random1}.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}.246.190/{Random2.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}.246.116/{Random3}.exe

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.300
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: - to follow
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: - to follow

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

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\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets
    • Paint

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
    • Screen Saver Pro 3.1 = "%Application Data%\ScreenSaverPro.scr"

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.
  • %Application Data%\{Random Digits}.exe

Step 6

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as WORM_DORKBOT.ME. 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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