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COINMINER.WIN32.ACRUXMR.A

December 05, 2018
 Analysis by: Michael Jhon Ofiaza
 ALIASES:

Mal/FakeMS-X (Sophos-Lite) ; HEUR:Trojan.Win32.Generic (Kaspersky)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Coinminer

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware


This Coinminer 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.

It connects to certain websites to send and receive information. However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

3,894,784 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

28 Oct 2018

Payload:

Drops files, Terminates processes, Collects system information, Connects to URLs/IPs

Arrival Details

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

  • %User Temp%\winietsvc.exe
  • %Application Data%\Half-Life\noconsole_launcher.exe

(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.. %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, 7, and 8.)

It drops the following files:

  • %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows Protect\xmrstak_cuda_backend.dll
  • %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows Protect\xmrstak_opencl_backend.dll
  • %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows Protect\msvcp140.dll
  • %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows Protect\vcruntime140.dll
  • %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows Protect\api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll

It creates the following folders:

  • %Application Data%\Half-Life

(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, 7, and 8.)

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

  • beyvebryivbrewiluygfrewiuyvgerwiuygvwre4ugfewhrethter

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
MSVCRuntime = %Application Data%\Half-Life\noconsole_launcher.exe

Propagation

This Coinminer creates the following folder in all physical and removable drives:

  • {Drive}\UsbFixer

It searches the network for the following shared networks onto which it attempts to drop copies of itself:

  • porno_movie.mpeg.exe

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

  • {Drive}\UsbFixer\UsbFixer.exe

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

It uses the following user name and password to gain access to password-protected shares:

  • Username:
    • admin
    • admins
    • administrator
    • amministratore
    • guest
    • root
    • owner
    • computer
  • Password:
    • qwerty
    • awerty
    • 007
    • 123
    • 1234
    • 12345
    • 123456
    • 1234567
    • 12345678
    • 123456789
    • 1234567890
    • access
    • command
    • bob
    • billy
    • ibm
    • internet
    • winxp
    • bitch
    • data
    • database
    • home
    • server
    • login
    • loginpass
    • linux
    • pass
    • pass1234
    • win2000
    • win2k
    • win98
    • win95
    • winnt
    • winpass
    • root
    • web
    • user
    • test
    • pwd
    • qw
    • qwe
    • sex
    • sexy
    • oracle
    • mysql
    • nokia
    • siemens
    • sam
    • hell
    • intranet
    • internet
    • boss
    • hacker
    • system
    • 2006
    • 2005
    • 2004
    • 2000
    • aaa
    • abcd
    • 123abc
    • apollo13
    • apple
    • 777
    • 111
    • 911
    • abcde
    • testing
    • start
    • www

Process Termination

This Coinminer terminates the following processes if found running in the affected system's memory:

  • firefox.exe
  • chrome.exe

Download Routine

This Coinminer connects to the following URL(s) to download its component file(s):

  • http://{BLOCKED}taker.ru/bin/cuda.dll
  • http://{BLOCKED}taker.ru/bin/opencl.dll
  • http://{BLOCKED}taker.ru/bin/vslib.dll
  • http://{BLOCKED}taker.ru/bin/runtimelib.dll
  • http://{BLOCKED}taker.ru/bin/api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll

Information Theft

This Coinminer gathers the following data:

  • Graphics
  • Processor
  • RAM
  • AV products
  • Architecture

It attempts to get stored information such as user names, passwords, and hostnames from the following browsers:

  • firefox.exe
  • chrome.exe

Other Details

This Coinminer connects to the following website to send and receive information:

  • http://{BLOCKED}taker.ru/getinfo.php?hwid={ID}&log={Botnet Status}
  • http://{BLOCKED}taker.ru/getinfo.php?ftp=get
  • http://{BLOCKED}taker.ru/cmd.php?getsettings=hello
  • http://{BLOCKED}taker.ru/getinfo.php?error=con
  • http://{BLOCKED}taker.ru/getinfo.php?/getinfo.php?statushwid={ID}&status=MINING
  • http://{BLOCKED}taker.ru/getinfo.php?statushwid={ID}&status=DEAD
  • http://{BLOCKED}taker.ru/cmd.php?stealer=rbteinuonbobnjoirtg
  • http://{BLOCKED}taker.ru/getinfo.php?hwid={ID}&video={Video}&proc={PROCESSOR}&ram={RAM}&av={AV}&arch={Architecture}&version=3.2.1

It does the following:

  • Checks for the following AV related processes and report it to C&C:
    • Av related exe
    • antivirus.exe
    • mcshield.exe
    • windefend.exe
    • msmpsvc.exe
    • savservice.exe
    • immunetprotect.exe
    • fsma.exe
    • antivirservice.exe
    • avguard.exe
    • fpavserver.exe
    • pshost.exe
    • pavsrv.exe
    • bdagent.exe
    • abmainsv.exe
    • ikarus-guardx.exe
    • ekrn.exe
    • avkproxy.exe
    • avp.exe
    • vbservprof.exe
    • clamav.exe
    • navapsvc.exe
    • aveservice.exe
    • aswidsagenta.exe
  • Checks if the following coinminer related process is running:
    • winprotect.exe

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

It adds the following scheduled tasks:

    • Task Name: memRun32
    • Schedule: Every Minute
    • Task to be run: %Application Data%\Half-Life\noconsole_launcher.exe

(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, 7, and 8.)

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

14.668.04

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

05 Dec 2018

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

14.669.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

06 Dec 2018

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

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\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • MSVCRuntime = %Application Data%\Half-Life\noconsole_launcher.exe

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.
  • {Local Network}/porno_movie.mpeg.exe
  • %User Temp%\\winietsvc.exe
  • %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows Protect\xmrstak_cuda_backend.dll
  • %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows Protect\xmrstak_opencl_backend.dll
  • %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows Protect\msvcp140.dll
  • %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows Protect\vcruntime140.dll
  • %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows Protect\api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll

Step 6

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}\UsbFixer
  • %Application Data%\Half-Life

Step 7

Deleting Scheduled Tasks

The following {Task Name} - {Task to be run} listed should be used in the steps identified below: {memRun32} - {%Application Data%\Half-Life\noconsole_launcher.exe}

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

  1. Open the Windows Scheduled Tasks. Click Start>Programs>Accessories>
    System Tools>Scheduled Tasks.
  2. Locate each {Task Name} values listed above in the Name column.
  3. Right-click on the said file(s) with the aforementioned value.
  4. Click on Properties. In the Run field, check for the listed {Task to be run}.
  5. If the strings match the list above, delete the task.

For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:

  1. Open the Windows Task Scheduler. To do this:
    • On Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008, click Start, type taskschd.msc in the Search input field, then press Enter.
    • On Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Run, type taskschd.msc, then press Enter.
  2. In the left panel, click Task Scheduler Library.
  3. In the upper-middle panel, locate each {Task Name} values listed above in the Name column.
  4. In the lower-middle panel, click the Actions tab. In the Details column, check for the {Task to be run} string.
  5. If the said string is found, delete the task.

Step 8

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as COINMINER.WIN32.ACRUXMR.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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