WORM_PROLACO.CU

 Analysis by: Christopher Daniel So

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Propagates via removable drives, Propagates via peer-to-peer networks

This Trojan arrives as attachment to mass-mailed email messages.

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

It also has rootkit capabilities, which enables it to hide its processes and files from the user.

It executes the files it drops, prompting the affected system to exhibit the malicious routines they contain.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

489,984 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

15 Oct 2010

Payload:

Bypasses Windows Firewall, Compromises system security, Terminates processes

Arrival Details

This Trojan arrives as attachment to mass-mailed email messages.

Installation

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

  • %System%\NvTaskbarIni.exe

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\System32 on Windows NT and 2000, or C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP and Server 2003.)

Autostart Technique

This Trojan adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Nvidia Control Center2 = "%System%\NvTaskbarIni.exe"

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Nvideo2

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Nvideo2

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
nvidia03 = "10"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
nvidia04 = "15"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
system
EnableLUA = 0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\ERSvc
DeleteFlag = 1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\ERSvc
FailureActions = hex:0a,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,b8,0b,00,00,

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\wscsvc
DeleteFlag = 1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\wscsvc
FailureActions = hex:0a,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,b8,0b,00,00,

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\ERSvc
Start = 4

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

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

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

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\
List
%System%\\NvTaskbarIni.exe = "%System%\NvTaskbarIni.exe:*:Enabled:Explorer"

Propagation

This Trojan creates the following folders in all removable drives:

  • {Removable Drive}\RECYCLER

It drops copies of itself into the following folders used in peer-to-peer (P2P) networks:

  • %Program Files%\emule\incoming\
  • %Program Files%\grokster\my grokster\
  • %Program Files%\icq\shared folder\
  • %Program Files%\limewire\shared\
  • %Program Files%\morpheus\my shared folder\
  • %Program Files%\tesla\files\

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.)

It drops copies of itself into all the removable drives connected to an affected system.

It uses the following file names for the copies it drops into shared networks:

  • AVS Video Converter v6.3.1.365 CRACKED.exe
  • Ad-aware 2010.exe
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader keygen.exe
  • Adobe Illustrator CS4 crack.exe
  • Adobe Photoshop CS5 crack.exe
  • Alcohol 120 v1.9.7.exe
  • Anti-Porn v13.5.12.29.exe
  • AnyDVD HD v.6.3.1.8 Beta incl crack.exe
  • Ashampoo Snap 3.02.exe
  • BitDefender AntiVirus 2010 Keygen.exe
  • Blaze DVD Player Pro v6.52.exe
  • CleanMyPC Registry Cleaner v6.02.exe
  • DVD Tools Nero 10.5.6.0.exe
  • Daemon Tools Pro 4.50.exe
  • Divx Pro 7 + keymaker.exe
  • Download Accelerator Plus v9.exe
  • Download Boost 2.0.exe
  • G-Force Platinum v3.7.5.exe
  • Google SketchUp 7.1 Pro.exe
  • Grand Theft Auto Episodes From Liberty City 2010.exe
  • Image Size Reducer Pro v1.0.1.exe
  • Internet Download Manager V5.exe
  • K-Lite Mega Codec v5.5.1.exe
  • K-Lite Mega Codec v5.6.1 Portable.exe
  • Kaspersky AntiVirus 2010 crack.exe
  • LimeWire Pro v4.18.3.exe
  • MagicISO Magic ISO Maker v5.5.0276 Cracked.exe
  • McAfee Total Protection 2010.exe
  • Microsoft.Windows 7 ULTIMATE FINAL activator+keygen x86.exe
  • Motorola, nokia, ericsson mobil phone tools.exe
  • Mp3 Splitter and Joiner Pro v3.48.exe
  • Myspace theme collection.exe
  • Nero 9 9.2.6.0 keygen.exe
  • Norton Anti-Virus 2010 crack.exe
  • Norton Internet Security 2010 crack.exe
  • PDF Unlocker v2.0.3.exe
  • PDF password remover (works with all acrobat reader).exe
  • PDF to Word Converter 3.0.exe
  • PDF-XChange Pro.exe
  • Power ISO v4.2 + keygen axxo.exe
  • RapidShare Killer AIO 2010.exe
  • Rapidshare Auto Downloader 3.8.exe
  • Sony Vegas Pro v9.0a incl crack.exe
  • Sophos antivirus updater bypass.exe
  • Starcraft2 REGION-UNLOCKER.exe
  • Starcraft2 SERVER-CHANGER.exe
  • Starcraft2 battle.net key generator.exe
  • Starcraft2 battle.net keys.txt.exe
  • Starcraft2.exe
  • Super Utilities Pro 2009 11.0.exe
  • Total Commander7 license+keygen.exe
  • Trojan Killer v2.9.4173.exe
  • Tuneup Ultilities 2010.exe
  • Twitter FriendAdder 2.1.1.exe
  • Uniblue RegistryBooster 2010.exe
  • VmWare 7.0 keygen.exe
  • VmWare keygen.exe
  • WinRAR v3.x keygen RaZoR.exe
  • Winamp.Pro.v7.33.PowerPack.Portable+installer.exe
  • Windows 2008 Enterprise Server VMWare Virtual Machine.exe
  • Windows 7 Ultimate keygen.exe
  • Windows XP PRO Corp SP3 valid-key generator.exe
  • Windows2008 keygen and activator.exe
  • YouTubeGet 5.4.exe
  • Youtube Music Downloader 1.0.exe

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:

[autorun]
open=RECYCLER\S-1-6-21-2434476521-1645641927-702000330-1542\redmond.exe
icon=%System Root%\system32\SHELL32.dll,4
action=Open folder to view files
shell\open=Open
shell\open\command=RECYCLER\S-1-6-21-2434476521-1645641927-702000330-1542\redmond.exe
shell\open\default=1

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

It searches for available Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) servers by prepending the following strings in domain names:

  • mail.
  • smtp.
  • mx1.
  • mxs.
  • mail1.
  • relay.
  • ns.
  • gate.
  • mailmx
  • mx0

It uses its own Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) engine to send email messages with Trojan or JavaScript downloaders as attachments and that contain the following details:

  • From:
  • e-cards@hallmark.com
  • invitations@twitter.com
  • invitations@hi5.com
  • order-update@amazon.com
  • resume-thanks@google.com
  • update@facebookmail.com
  • Subject:
  • You have received A Hallmark E-Card!
  • Your friend invited you to Twitter!
  • Laura would like to be your friend on hi5!
  • Shipping update for your Amazon.com order.
  • Thank you from Google!
  • You have got a new message on Facebook!

Rootkit Capabilities

This Trojan also has rootkit capabilities, which enables it to hide its processes and files from the user.

Dropping Routine

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %Windows%\{random file name}.dll - detected as TROJ_HILOTI.DP
  • %System%\NvNcTray.exe - detected as TROJ_HILOTI.DP

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows or C:\WINNT.. %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\System32 on Windows NT and 2000, or C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP and Server 2003.)

It executes the files it drops, prompting the affected system to exhibit the malicious routines they contain.

Other Details

This Trojan connects to the following URL(s) to get the affected system's IP address:

  • http://{BLOCKED}myip.com/automation/{BLOCKED}945.asp

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

8.900

VSAPI PATTERN File:

7.542.01

VSAPI PATTERN Date:

15 Oct 2010

VSAPI PATTERN Date:

10/15/2010 12:00:00 AM

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_PROLACO.CU

    TROJ_HILOTI.DP

Step 3

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 4

Delete this registry key

[ 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_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • Nvideo2
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software
    • Nvideo2

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • Nvidia Control Center2=%System%\NvTaskbarIni.exe
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • nvidia03=10
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • nvidia04=15
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system
    • EnableLUA=0
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ERSvc
    • DeleteFlag=1
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ERSvc
    • FailureActions=hex:0a,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,b8,0b,00,00,
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wscsvc
    • DeleteFlag=1
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wscsvc
    • FailureActions=hex:0a,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,b8,0b,00,00,
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\List
    • %System%\NvTaskbarIni.exe=%System%\NvTaskbarIni.exe:*:Enabled:Explorer

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\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ERSvc
    • From: Start=4
      To: Start=2
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wscsvc
    • From: Start=4
      To: Start=2

Step 7

Search and delete AUTORUN.INF files created by WORM_PROLACO.CU that contain these strings

[ Learn More ]
 [autorun]
open=RECYCLER\S-1-6-21-2434476521-1645641927-702000330-1542\redmond.exe
icon=%System Root%\system32\SHELL32.dll,4
action=Open folder to view files
shell\open=Open
shell\open\command=RECYCLER\S-1-6-21-2434476521-1645641927-702000330-1542\redmond.exe
shell\open\default=1

Step 8

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as WORM_PROLACO.CU. 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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