Analysis by: Nikko Tamana
ALIASES:

Backdoor:Win32/Joanap.A (Microsoft), Backdoor.Win32.Joanap (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:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

This spyware arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites. It arrives as a component bundled with malware/grayware packages.

It does not have any propagation routine.

It does not have any backdoor routine.

It does not have any downloading capability.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 90,112 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 10 May 2013
Payload: Steals information, Drops files

Arrival Details

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

It arrives as a component bundled with malware/grayware packages.

Propagation

This spyware does not have any propagation routine.

Backdoor Routine

This spyware does not have any backdoor routine.

Download Routine

This spyware does not have any downloading capability.

Information Theft

This spyware gathers the following data:

  • Password hashes from NT LanMan

Stolen Information

This spyware sends the data it gathers to the following email addresses via SMTP:

  • {BLOCKED}epy0611@gmail.com

Other Details

This spyware requires the following additional components to properly run:

  • %System%\perfw06.dat
  • %System%\mssscardprv.ax
  • %System%\KB25879.dat

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)

It drops the following file(s)/component(s):

  • %User Temp%\msvcrt.bat - Used to delete itself

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

NOTES:

It tries to log in the Administrator account by brute-forcing using the following passwords:

  • *1234
  • 00000
  • 000000
  • 00000000
  • 11111
  • 111111
  • 11111111
  • 121212
  • 123123
  • 123321
  • 12345
  • 123456
  • 1234567
  • 12345678
  • 123456789
  • 1234567890
  • 1234qwer
  • 123abc
  • 123asd
  • 123qwe
  • 168168
  • 1q2w3e
  • 1q2w3e4r
  • 1qaz2wsx
  • 1qazxsw2
  • 520520
  • 54321
  • 654321
  • 666666
  • 88888
  • 888888
  • 8888888
  • 88888888
  • Admin
  • KKKKKKK
  • Login
  • abc123
  • abcd1234
  • admin
  • admin!@#
  • admin123
  • administrador
  • administrator
  • asdf!23
  • asdf123
  • asdfg
  • asdfgh
  • ashley
  • backup
  • backupexec
  • bailey
  • baseball
  • blank
  • changeme
  • cisco
  • clustadm
  • cluster
  • compaq
  • computer
  • control
  • cookie123
  • database
  • db1234
  • dbpassword
  • default
  • domino
  • dragon
  • enable
  • exchadm
  • exchange
  • foobar
  • football
  • gateway
  • guest
  • harley
  • iloveyou
  • internet
  • letmein
  • login
  • lotus
  • manager
  • master
  • michael
  • money
  • monkey
  • notes
  • office
  • oracle
  • owner
  • passw0rd
  • passwd
  • password
  • password!
  • password1
  • print
  • pw123
  • q1w2e3
  • q1w2e3r4
  • q1w2e3r4t5
  • q1w2e3r4t5y6
  • qazwsx
  • qazwsxedc
  • qazxsw
  • qwert
  • qwerty
  • replicate
  • seagate
  • secret
  • server
  • shadow
  • sqlexec
  • sunshine
  • super
  • superman
  • sybase
  • temp!
  • temp123
  • test!
  • test!23
  • test1
  • test123
  • tivoli
  • trustno1
  • veritas
  • virus
  • win2000
  • win2003
  • win2008
  • winxp
  • zxcv123asdf

If it is successful in logging in, it will set the %System Root% as a network share named adnim. It also creates a service named HelpEvent and RPCEvent.

It sends email by connecting to gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com, which is the legitimate SMTP site of Google.

It does not have rootkit capabilities.

It does not exploit any vulnerability.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.300
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 9.918.04
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 14 May 2013
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 9.919.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 15 May 2013

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

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as TSPY_JOANAP.A

Step 3

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 4

Search and delete the files detected as TSPY_JOANAP.A

*Note: Some component files may be 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.

To stop the malware/grayware from running when certain files are opened:

For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:

  1. Right-click Start then click Search....
  2. In the Named input box, type the name of the file that was detected earlier.
  3. In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer then press Enter.
  4. Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.

For Windows Vista and Windows 7:

  1. Click Start>Computer.
  2. In the Search Computer input box, type the name of the file detected earlier, and press Enter.
  3. Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
    *Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.

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.
  • %User Temp%\msvcrt.bat

Step 6

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