WORM_PROLACO.QZZ

 Analysis by: Roland Marco Dela Paz

 ALIASES:

Symantec : W32.Ackantta.B@mm; Sophos : W32/AutoRun-BHX

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Worm

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Propagates via removable drives

This worm drops an AUTORUN.INF file to automatically execute the copies it drops when a user accesses the drives of an affected system. It uses icons similar to those of legitimate applications to entice a user to click them.

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

It executes the dropped file(s). As a result, malicious routines of the dropped files are exhibited on the affected system.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

882,176 bytes

File Type:

PE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

26 Nov 2010

Installation

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

  • %System%\jushed.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.)

It drops the following files:

  • %System%\javaup.exe - detected as TROJ_INJECT.JKSA
  • %System%\javaup2.exe - detected as TROJ_HILOTI.SMEO

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
Sun Java Update Scheudler = %System%\jushed.exe

Other System Modifications

This worm adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Jakarta

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Jakarta

It also creates the following registry entry(ies) as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
fck_java = 11

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
fck_oracle = 29

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

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

Propagation

This worm creates the following folders in all removable drives:

  • [DRIVE]:\RECYCLER\{SID}

It drops the following copy(ies) of itself in all removable drives:

  • [DRIVE]:\RECYCLER\{SID}\redmond.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\{SID}\redmond.exe
icon=%SystemRoot%\system32\SHELL32.dll,4
action=Open folder to view files
shell\open=Open
shell\open\command=RECYCLER\{SID}\redmond.exe
shell\open\default=1

It uses icons similar to those of legitimate applications to entice a user to click them.

Rootkit Capabilities

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

Dropping Routine

This worm executes the dropped file(s). As a result, malicious routines of the dropped files are exhibited on the affected system.

Other Details

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

  • http://{BLOCKED}myip.com/automation/n09230945.asp

It does the following:

  • This malware is also capable of propagating via email.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

8.900

VSAPI PATTERN File:

still under processing by pattern team

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.QZZ

    • TROJ_INJECT.JKSA
    • TROJ_HILOTI.SMEO

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\
    • Jakarta
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\
    • Jakarta

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\Explorer
    • fck_java = 11
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • fck_oracle = 29
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\List
    • %System%\jushed.exe = %System%\jushed.exe:*:Enabled:Explorer
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • Sun Java Update Scheudler = %System%\jushed.exe

Step 6

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

[ Learn More ]
[autorun]
open=RECYCLER\{SID}\redmond.exe
icon=%SystemRoot%\system32\SHELL32.dll,4
action=Open folder to view files
shell\open=Open
shell\open\command=RECYCLER\{SID}\redmond.exe
shell\open\default=1

Step 7

Search and delete this folder

[ 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. [DRIVE:]\RECYCLER\{SID}

Step 8

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

Step 9

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. DATA_GENERIC
  • In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer, then press Enter.
  • Once located, select the folder then press SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the folder.
  • Repeat the said steps for all folders listed.

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