WORM_QAKBOT.SMD
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
Threat Type: Worm
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: Yes
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
For its propagation routines, it is capable of dropping a copy of itself to default shares in the network. It then starts a service to execute the dropped file.
It also attempts to access certain URLs to get its peer list. However, none are currently accessible.
It enumerates network shares and drops a copy of the main executable and the package file to default shares.
It is capable of monitoring the browsing activities of the affected computer and logs all information related to finance-related websites with specific strings.
It collects certain information from the affected system. It blocks access to websites with specific strings.
It also drops a Javascript file detected as JS_QAKBOT.SM which is responsible for downloading updated components of this malware. It then creates a scheduled task that executes this Javascript every 4 hours.
It may also connect to IRC servers and receive commands from a remote user.
This worm may be dropped by other malware. It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.
It also has rootkit capabilities, which enables it to hide its processes and files from the user.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Arrival Details
This worm may be dropped by other malware.
It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.
Installation
This worm drops the following files:
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\{random folder}\{random name}.dll - dll component detected as WORM_QAKBOT.USL
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\{random folder}\{random name}.exe - copy of itself
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\{random folder}\{random name}.dll - encrypted configuration file
(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)
It creates the following folders:
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\{random folder}
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\{random folder}\u\
(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)
It is injected into the following processes running in memory:
- EXPLORER.EXE
- IEXPLORE.EXE
Autostart Technique
This worm adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{random name} = "%System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe"
It modifies the following registry entries to ensure it automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{legitimate application} = ""%System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe" /c {path and file name of legitimate application}"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {path and file name of legitimate application}.)
Rootkit Capabilities
This worm also has rootkit capabilities, which enables it to hide its processes and files from the user.
Dropping Routine
This worm drops the following files:
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\{random folder}\{random name}.dll - encrypted configuration file
(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)
Other Details
This worm does the following:
- It enumerates network shares and drops a copy of the main executable and the package file to default shares.
- This worm's configuration file contains the following information:
- Reference to the components and their corresponding random filenames in the system
- IRC data
- FTP hosts (upload sites)
- Infection log
- It is capable of monitoring the browsing activities of the affected computer and logs all information related to finance-related websites containing the following strings:
- cashproonline.bankofamerica.com
- singlepoint.usbank.com
- netconnect.bokf.com
- business-eb.ibanking-services.com
- cashproonline.bankofamerica.com
- /cashplus/ ebanking-services.com
- /cashman/web-cashplus.com
- treas-mgt.frostbank.com
- business-eb.ibanking-services.com
- treasury.pncbank.com
- access.jpmorgan.com
- ktt.key.com
- onlineserv/CM
- premierview.membersunited.org
- directline4biz.com
- onb.webcashmgmt.com
- tmconnectweb
- moneymanagergps.com
- ibc.klikbca.com
- directpay.wellsfargo.com
- express.53.com
- itreasury.regions.com
- itreasurypr.regions.com
- cpw-achweb.bankofamerica.com
- businessaccess.citibank.citigroup.com
- businessonline.huntington.com
- /cmserver/
- It may also collect the following information:
- Account name
- City
- Country
- IE password protected sites
- IE user namesand passwords
- IP address
- MSN user name and password
- Operating system
- Outlook user name and password
- It blocks access to websites with the following strings:
- webroot.
- agnitum
- ahnlab
- arcabit
- avast
- avg
- avira
- avp
- bitdefender
- bit9
- castlecops
- centralcommand
- clamav
- comodo
- omputerassociates
- cpsecure
- defender
- drweb
- emsisoft
- esafe
- .eset
- etrust
- ewido
- fortinet
- f-prot
- f-secure
- gdata
- grisoft
- hacksoft
- hauri
- ikarus
- jotti
- k7computing
- kaspersky
- malware
- mcafee
- networkassociates
- nod32
- norman
- norton
- panda
- pctools
- evx
- quickheal
- rising
- rootkit
- securecomputing
- sophos
- spamhaus
- spyware
- sunbelt
- symantec
- threatexpert
- trendmicro
- virus
- wilderssecurity
- windowsupdate
- It does not continue its routine if its host process is any of the following:
- msdev.exe
- dbgview.exe
- mirc.exe
- ollydbg.exe
- ctfmon.exe
- It also drops a Javascript file detected as JS_QAKBOT.SM, which is responsible for downloading updated components of this malware. It then creates a scheduled task that executes this Javascript every 4 hours.
- It downloads updated components from the following websites:
- {BLOCKED}v.co.in
- {BLOCKED}3.com.ua
- {BLOCKED}1.in
- {BLOCKED}2.in
- {BLOCKED}te.info
- {BLOCKED}ver.com.ua
- It saves the downloaded components in the following folder:
- %System Report%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\{random folder}\u
- It sends the gathered information to the following sites using credentials from its configuration file:
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.134.75
- ftp.{BLOCKED}formation.com
- ftp.{BLOCKED}scentral.com
- s046.{BLOCKED}oxmanager.com
- It may also connect to IRC servers and receive commands from a remote user.
NOTES:
Propagation Routines:
This malware is capable of dropping a copy of itself to default shares in the network. It then starts a service to execute the dropped file.
Whenever a USB drive is plugged in, it randomly selects a file name in the drive and name its dropped copy as {malware file name}_{selected file name}.exe. If the drive is empty, it appends "_Documents" in its file name (i.e. {malware_file name}_Documents.exe).
It attempts to access certain URLs to get its peer list. However, the URLs are currently inaccessible.
SOLUTION
Step 1
For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.
Step 2
Remove malware files dropped/downloaded by WORM_QAKBOT.SMD
- JS_QAKBOT.SM
Step 3
Identify and delete files detected as WORM_QAKBOT.SMD using either the Startup Disk or Recovery Console
Step 4
Delete this registry value
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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- {random name} = %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe
Step 5
Restore this modified registry value
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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- From: {legitimate application} = %System Report%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe /c {path and file name of legitimate application}
To: {legitimate application} = {path and file name of legitimate application}
- From: {legitimate application} = %System Report%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe /c {path and file name of legitimate application}
Step 6
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as WORM_QAKBOT.SMD. 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
Search and delete this folder
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\{random folder name}
Did this description help? Tell us how we did.