Analysis by: Kathleen Notario

ALIASES:

Worm:Win32/Nuqel.AC (Microsoft); W32/Autoit-KX (Sophos); W32/KillAV.MI (Panda)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Worm

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

Tamaño del archivo 298,774 bytes
Tipo de archivo EXE
Residente en memoria Yes
Fecha de recepción de las muestras iniciales 07 Sep 2011

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 drops the following files:

  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Java\Desktop.ini
  • %Windows%\ntbtlog.txt

(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name} on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name} on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.. %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows or C:\WINNT.)

It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Java\?shimgvw?.exe
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Java\?Jview?.exe

(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name} on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name} on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Java

(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name} on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name} on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

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
{user name}? = "%User Profile%\Application Data\Java\?shimgvw?.exe"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
jre? = "%User Profile%\Application Data\Java\?Jview?.exe"

Other System Modifications

This worm adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
EHttpSrv.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile
NeverShowExt = ""

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\jpegfile
NeverShowExt = ""

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
EnableLUA = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
AntiVirusOverride = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
AntiVirusDisableNotify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
FirewallDisableNotify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
FirewallOverride = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
UpdatesDisableNotify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
UacDisableNotify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
FirstRunDisabled = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center\Svc
AntiVirusOverride = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center\Svc
AntiVirusDisableNotify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center\Svc
FirewallDisableNotify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center\Svc
FirewallOverride = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center\Svc
UpdatesDisableNotify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center\Svc
UacDisableNotify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center\Svc
FirstRunDisabled = "1"

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
ansavgd
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
attrib.exe
Debugger = "rundll32.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
autorunme.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
blastclnn.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
blastclnnn.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
cscript.exe
Debugger = "rundll32.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
egui.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
ekrn.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
ise32.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
MSASCui.exe
Debugger = "rundll32.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
Nbrowser.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
New Folder.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
Njeeves.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
nod32.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
nod32krn.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
nod32kui.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
npcsvc32.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
npc_login.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
npc_tray.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
npflgutl.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
npfports.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
npfrules.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
npfsvc32.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
npfuser.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
npfwiz.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
nprosec.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
nuaa.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
Nvcoa.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
nvcsched.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
nvoy.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
reg32.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
rtpsvc.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
scsaver.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
SSCVIHOST.exe
Debugger = "cmd.exe /c del /f /q"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
wscript.exe
Debugger = "rundll32.exe"

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\jpegfile\DefaultIcon
(default) = "%User Profile%\Application Data\Java\?shimgvw?.exe,0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is shimgvw.dll,3.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
HideFileExt = "1"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 0.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
SuperHidden = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
ShowSuperHidden = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced\Folder\HideFileExt
UncheckedValue = "1"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 0.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced\Folder\SuperHidden
UncheckedValue = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SystemRestore
DisableSR = "1"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 0.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
jpegfile\DefaultIcon
(default) = "%User Profile%\Application Data\Java\?shimgvw?.exe,0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is shimgvw.dll,3.)