Worm.Win32.PHORPIEX.AMM


 ALIASES:

Worm.Win32.Phorpiex(Ikarus)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Worm

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Dropped by other malware, Downloaded from the Internet

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:

63,424 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

16 Apr 2019

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs, Downloads files

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 adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:

  • tcd8d68d66dg686f

Other System Modifications

This Worm creates the following registry entry(ies) to bypass Windows Firewall:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\
List
{Malware path}\{Malware Name}.exe = {Malware path}\{Malware Name}.exe:*:Enabled:WDrvConfiguration

Download Routine

This Worm connects to the following URL(s) to download its configuration file:

  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.37.156/{random characters}.txt

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • %User Temp%\{random number}.jpg

(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, 7, and 8.)

Other Details

This Worm does the following:

  • The email it sends has the following characteristics:
    • Uses any of the following strings as it's subject
      • You better read this!
      • You got hacked!
      • I got something from you!
      • Read carefully!
      • No longer private!
      • You dirty pervert!
      • I hacked you!
      • Don't be too shocked!
      • You dirty dog!
      • I got you!
      • You got owned!
      • Your chance!
      • Shame on you!
      • Your friends will be shocked!
    • Contains the following as it's message body
      • Hello, As you may have noticed, I sent this email from your email account (if you didn't see, check the from Sender email ID. In other words, I have full access to your email account. I infected you with a malware a few months back when you visited an adult site, and since then, I have been observing your actions. The malware gave me full access and control over your system, meaning, I can see everything on your screen, turn on yourcamera or microphone and you won't even notice about it. I have also access to all your contacts. I made a video showing both you (through your webcam) and the video you were watching (onthe screen) while statisfying yourself. I can send this video to all your contacts (email, social network)! You can prevent me from doing this. To stop me, transfer exactly 700$ with the current (BTC) BITCOIN price, to my bitcoin address. If you do not know how to do this, Google - "How to buy Bitcoin". My bitcoin adress is: {BLOCKED}WZYQrz5Z9S9X7nYNueznU7iU5V5h. After receiving the payment, I will delete the video, and we will forget everything! I give you one week to get the bitcoins. Since I already have access to your system, I know when you read this email. Don't share this email with anyone.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

14.942.04

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

16 Apr 2019

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

14.943.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

17 Apr 2019

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 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

Identify and terminate files detected as Worm.Win32.PHORPIEX.AMM

[ Learn More ]
  1. Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
  2. If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\List\"
    • {Malware path}\{Malware Name}.exe = {Malware path}\{Malware Name}.exe:*:Enabled:WDrvConfiguration

Step 5

Search and delete these files

[ 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}\{random number}.jpg

Step 6

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Worm.Win32.PHORPIEX.AMM. 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 the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:


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