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Trojan.Win32.VOOLS.AG

August 22, 2019
 Analysis by: Noel Anthony Llimos
 ALIASES:

Trojan.Win32.Miner.vnpk (KASPERSKY)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Downloaded from the Internet


This Trojan arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

It connects to certain websites to send and receive information. It deletes itself after execution.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

6,690,304 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

04 Apr 2019

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs, Steals information, Drops files

Arrival Details

This Trojan 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 Trojan drops the following files:

  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\svchost.exe <- detected as TROJ_EQUATED.LZCMT
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\spoolsv.exe <- detected as BKDR_EQUATED.LZCMU
  • %System%\dllhostex.exe <- detected as Coinminer.Win32.MALXMR.SMBM4

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

It creates the following folders:

  • NetworkDistribution

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

  • {ED29R9-8ED1-C760-7D789N}

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
services\{String 1}{String 2}{String 3}\Parameters
ServiceDll = %System%\{String 1}{String 2}{String 3}.dll

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkPlatform\
Location Awareness
LastBackup = {Hex Values}

Information Theft

This Trojan gathers the following data:

  • OS version
  • Host Name

Other Details

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

  • http://185.{BLOCKED}24.101/install.php?os={OS Version}&host={Host Name}&{Installation Status=Install_Done or Error}/

It does the following:

  • Drops the following component files that is used for the malware's EternalBlue/DoublePulsar Exploitation:
    • %System%\{string1}{string2}{string3}.dll
    • %System%\rdp{3 random characters}.{random file extension}
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\Diagnostics.txt
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\Eternalblue-2.2.0.fb
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\Eternalchampion-2.0.0.fb
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\_pytrch.pyd
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\adfw-2.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\adfw.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\cnli-0.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\cnli-1.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\coli-0.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\crli-0.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\dmgd-1.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\dmgd-4.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\esco-0.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\etch-0.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\etchCore-0.x64.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\etchCore-0.x86.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\eteb-2.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\etebCore-2.x64.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\etebCore-2.x86.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\exma-1.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\exma.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\iconv.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\libcurl.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\libeay32.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\libiconv-2.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\libxml2.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\out.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\pcla-0.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\pcre-0.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\pcrecpp-0.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\pcreposix-0.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\posh-0.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\posh.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\pytrch.py
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\pytrch.pyc
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\riar-2.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\riar.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\spoolsv.xml
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\ssleay32.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\svchost.xml
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\tibe-1.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\tibe-2.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\tibe.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\trch-0.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\trch-1.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\trch.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\trfo-0.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\trfo-2.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\trfo.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\tucl-1.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\tucl.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\ucl.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\x64.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\x86.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\xdvl-0.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\zibe.dll
    • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\zlib1.dll
  • It uses the following string lists that is used for the naming of the main service module DLL file:
    • Windows
    • Microsoft
    • Network
    • Remote
    • Function
    • Secure
    • Application
    • Update
    • Time
    • NetBIOS
    • RPC
    • Protocol
    • SSDP
    • UPnP
    • Service
    • Host
    • Client
    • Event
    • Manager
    • Helper
    • System

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

It deletes itself after execution.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

14.920.06

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

05 Apr 2019

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

14.921.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

06 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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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\ControlSet001\services\{String 1}{String 2}{String 3}\Parameters
    • ServiceDll = %System%\{String 1}{String 2}{String 3}.dll
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkPlatform\Location Awareness
    • LastBackup = {Hex Values}

Step 5

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.
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\svchost.exe <- detected as TROJ_EQUATED.LZCMT
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\spoolsv.exe <- detected as BKDR_EQUATED.LZCMU
  • %System%\dllhostex.exe <- detected as Coinminer.Win32.MALXMR.SMBM4
  • %System%\{string 1}{string 2}{string 3}.dll
  • %System%\rdp{3 random characters}.{random file extension}
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\Diagnostics.txt
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\Eternalblue-2.2.0.fb
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\Eternalchampion-2.0.0.fb
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\_pytrch.pyd
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\adfw-2.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\adfw.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\cnli-0.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\cnli-1.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\coli-0.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\crli-0.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\dmgd-1.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\dmgd-4.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\esco-0.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\etch-0.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\etchCore-0.x64.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\etchCore-0.x86.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\eteb-2.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\etebCore-2.x64.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\etebCore-2.x86.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\exma-1.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\exma.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\iconv.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\libcurl.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\libeay32.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\libiconv-2.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\libxml2.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\out.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\pcla-0.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\pcre-0.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\pcrecpp-0.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\pcreposix-0.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\posh-0.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\posh.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\pytrch.py
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\pytrch.pyc
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\riar-2.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\riar.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\spoolsv.xml
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\ssleay32.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\svchost.xml
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\tibe-1.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\tibe-2.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\tibe.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\trch-0.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\trch-1.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\trch.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\trfo-0.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\trfo-2.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\trfo.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\tucl-1.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\tucl.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\ucl.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\x64.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\x86.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\xdvl-0.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\zibe.dll
  • %Windows%\NetworkDistribution\zlib1.dll

Step 6

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.
  • NetworkDistribution

Step 7

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as Trojan.Win32.VOOLS.AG. 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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