Analysis by: Christopher Daniel So

ALIASES:

Backdoor:MacOS/Longage.A (Microsoft), OSX.MaControl (Symantec), Backdoor.OSX.MaControl.b (Kaspersky)

 PLATFORM:

Mac OS X

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

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

This malware is noteworthy due to its involvement in targeted attacks against organizations.

To get a one-glance comprehensive view of the behavior of this Backdoor, refer to the Threat Diagram shown below.

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

It runs certain commands that it receives remotely from a malicious user. Doing this puts the affected computer and information found on the computer at greater risk.

It deletes the initially executed copy of itself.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

Ports: TCP port 8000 (iRDMI)
File Size: 100,376 bytes
File Type: Mach-O
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 30 Jun 2012
Payload: Drops files, Compromises system security

Arrival Details

This backdoor 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 backdoor drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • /Library/launched

Autostart Technique

This backdoor drops the following files:

  • /Users/{user name}/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.FolderActionsxl.plist

Backdoor Routine

This backdoor executes the following command(s) from a remote malicious user:

  • Delete a file
  • Download and execute a file from the C&C server
  • Enumerate files
  • Enumerate processes
  • Execute a file
  • Uninstall itself
  • Send a file to the C&C server
  • Send OS Version, user name, computer name
  • Start a remote /bin/sh
  • Terminate itself
  • Terminate a process
  • Delete /Users/{user name}/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.FolderActionsxl.plist
  • Delete /Library/launched

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

  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.77.16:8000

Other Details

This backdoor deletes the initially executed copy of itself

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 9.232.05
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 03 Jul 2012
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 9.233.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 04 Jul 2012

Step 1

Search and delete this file

[ Learn More ]
There may be some component 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.
  • /Users/{user name}/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.FolderActionsxl.plist

Step 2

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as OSX_MACKONTROL.A. 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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