JS_MORPHE.C

 Analysis by: Rhena Inocencio

 ALIASES:

JS/Kryptik.APS (ESET)

 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:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Worm

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This worm arrives via removable drives. It arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

It drops an AUTORUN.INF file to automatically execute the copies it drops when a user accesses the drives of an affected system.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

42,725 bytes

File Type:

JS

Initial Samples Received Date:

04 Sep 2014

Arrival Details

This worm arrives via removable drives.

It 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 component file(s):

  • %System Root%\{random folder name}\{random file name 1} - contains file name of initially executed copy
  • %System Root%\{random folder name}\{random file name 2} - contains random values
  • %User Temp%\{random file name}

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.. %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.)

It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name}.js
  • %Program Files%\{random folder name}\{random file name}.js
  • %User Temp%\{random file name}.js
  • %System%\{random file name}.js

(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.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (64-bit).. %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.. %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %System Root%\{random folder name}
  • %Application Data%\{random folder name}
  • %Program Files%\{random folder name}

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.. %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.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (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
{random file name} = "%Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name}.js"

It drops the following file(s) in the Windows Startup folder to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

  • %User Startup%\{random file name}.js
  • %All Users Profile%\Startup\{random file name}.js
  • {Other Users' Profile}\Startup\{random file name}.js - the number of instances depends on the number of other user profiles in the affected system

(Note: %User Startup% is the current user's Startup folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.. %All Users Profile% is the All Users or Common profile folder, which is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users in Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, and C:\ProgramData in Windows Vista and 7.)

Other System Modifications

This worm adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center\Svc
FirewallOverride = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center\Svc
FirewallDisableNotify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center\Svc
AntivirusDisableNotify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies
NoDispCPL = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies
DisableCMD = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies
DisableTaskMgr = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies
DisableRegistryTools = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion
SystemRestoreDisableSR = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Microsft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel
HomePage = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Microsoft\MRT
DontReportInfectionInformation = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Microsoft\Windows\
CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
NoControlPanel = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Microsoft\Windows\
CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
NofolderOptions = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Microsoft\Windows\
CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
NoWindowsUpdate = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Policies\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Control Panel
HomePage = "1"

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
AntivirusDisableNotify = "1"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is "0".)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
FirewallDisableNotify = "1"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is "0".)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile
EnableFirewall = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is "1".)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\wscsvc
Start = "4"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is "2".)

Propagation

This worm drops the following copies of itself in all physical and removable drives:

  • {drive}:\{random file name}.js

It drops an AUTORUN.INF file to automatically execute the copies it drops when a user accesses the drives of an affected system.

The said .INF file contains the following strings:

{garbage characters}
[autorun]
{garbage characters}
shellexecute={random file name}.js
{garbage characters}
shell\explore\command={random file name}.js
{garbage characters}
open={random file name}.js
{garbage characters}
shell\open\command={random file name}.js
{garbage characters}

Information Theft

This worm gathers the following data:

  • CPU
  • OS
  • GPU
  • Cookie data
  • AV software
  • Web Browser settings

Stolen Information

This worm sends the gathered information via HTTP POST to the following URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}37.net/u

NOTES:

It checks for the following antivirus-related software:

  • AVAST Software
  • AVG
  • Alwil Software
  • Avira
  • Bitdefender
  • Comodo
  • ESET
  • F-Secure
  • Kaspersky Lab
  • Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
  • Panda Security
  • Sophos
  • Spyware Doctor
  • Sunbelt
  • Symantec
  • Trend Micro
  • Webroot

It creates randomly named .ZIP files containing its copy named as crack.js.

This worm may use any of the following names for the .ZIP file:

The archives are dropped in the following directories:

  • %Program Files%\edonkey2000\incoming
  • %Program Files%\eMule\incoming

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.700

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

Note that not all files, folders, and registry keys and entries are installed on your computer during this malware's/spyware's/grayware's execution. This may be due to incomplete installation or other operating system conditions. If you do not find the same files/folders/registry information, please proceed to the next step.

Step 3

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as JS_MORPHE.C

Step 4

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 5

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center\Svc
    • FirewallOverride = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center\Svc
    • FirewallDisableNotify = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center\Svc
    • AntivirusDisableNotify = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies
    • NoDispCPL = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies
    • DisableCMD = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies
    • DisableTaskMgr = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies
    • DisableRegistryTools = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
    • SystemRestoreDisableSR = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel
    • HomePage = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MRT
    • DontReportInfectionInformation = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
    • NoControlPanel = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
    • NofolderOptions = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
    • NoWindowsUpdate = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel
    • HomePage = "1"

Step 6

Restore this modified 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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center
    • From: AntivirusDisableNotify = "1"
      To: AntivirusDisableNotify = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center
    • From: FirewallDisableNotify = "1"
      To: FirewallDisableNotify = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile
    • From: EnableFirewall = "0"
      To: EnableFirewall = "1"

Step 7

Search and delete these folders

[ Learn More ]
Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden folders in the search result.
  • %System Root%\{random folder name}
  • %Application Data%\{random folder name}
  • %Program Files%\{random folder name}

Step 8

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.
  • %System Root%\{random folder name}\{random file name 1}
  • %System Root%\{random folder name}\{random file name 2}
  • %User Temp%\{random file name}

Step 9

Search and delete AUTORUN.INF files created by JS_MORPHE.C that contain these strings

[ Learn More ]

{garbage characters}
[autorun]
{garbage characters}
shellexecute={random file name}.js
{garbage characters}
shell\explore\command={random file name}.js
{garbage characters}
open={random file name}.js
{garbage characters}
shell\open\command={random file name}.js
{garbage characters}

Step 10

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