BKDR_CINDYC.D

 Modified by: Abraham Latimer Camba

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Dropped by other malware


This backdoor may be dropped by other malware.

It executes commands from a remote malicious user, effectively compromising the affected system.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

178,920 bytes

File Type:

DLL, EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

22 Sep 2012

Payload:

Collects system information, Compromises system security, Connects to URLs/IPs, Steals information, Downloads files

Arrival Details

This backdoor may be dropped by the following malware:

Installation

This backdoor drops the following files:

  • %User Profile%\Local Settings\help.dll - also detected as BKDR_CINDYC.D
  • %User Profile%\Local Settings\tmp.bak - also detected as BKDR_CINDYC.D
  • %User Temp%\~ATEMP.CPL - also detected as BKDR_CINDYC.D
  • %User Temp%\~ATEMP.CPL.bak - also detected as BKDR_CINDYC.D
  • %User Temp%\help32.dll - also detected as BKDR_CINDYC.D

(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.. %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.)

It adds the following processes:

  • svchost.exe

Its DLL component is injected to the following process(es):

  • svchost.exe

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

  • IMSCMig

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
explorer\run
IMSCMig = "Rundll32.EXE %User Profile%\Local Settings\help.dll,NotifyLogonUser"

Other System Modifications

This backdoor adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ts

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ts\
explorer

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ts\
explorer\run

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ts\
NonEnum

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ts\
Ratings

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ts\
system

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
explorer

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
explorer\run

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
{random number} = "F0F996E3"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
key = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ts\
explorer\run
IMSCMig = "Rundll32.EXE %User Profile%\Local Settings\help.dll,NotifyLogonUser"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ts\
NonEnum
{0DF44EAA-FF21-4412-828E-260A8728E7F1} = "20"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ts\
NonEnum
{6DFD7C5C-2451-11d3-A299-00C04F8EF6AF} = "40000021"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ts\
NonEnum
{BDEADF00-C265-11D0-BCED-00A0C90AB50F} = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ts\
system
dontdisplaylastusername = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ts\
system
legalnoticecaption = ""

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ts\
system
legalnoticetext = ""

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ts\
system
shutdownwithoutlogon = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ts\
system
undockwithoutlogon = "1"

Backdoor Routine

This backdoor executes the following commands from a remote malicious user:

  • Capture screen, audio, and webcam
  • Download files
  • Get drive information
  • Get system information
  • List active ports
  • Lock workstation
  • Log keystrokes
  • Log off user
  • Monitor browsing habits
  • Manage files and folders
  • Manage open windows
  • Manage passwords
  • Manage registry, processes, services, devices, and installed applications
  • Perform multiple simultaneous transfers
  • Perform remote shell
  • Relay server
  • Restart/Reboot system
  • Share servers
  • Update, restart, terminates itself

It connects to the following URL(s) to send and receive commands from a remote malicious user:

  • https://{BLOCKED}in.{BLOCKED}p.net

It posts the following information to its command and control (C&C) server:

  • Computer name
  • Drive information
  • Operating system information
  • Processor speed
  • RAM Information
  • Saved email password
  • Saved email address
  • Service pack information
  • System settings
  • User name and cached password

NOTES:

This backdoor checks for the existence of the following processes:

  • 360tray.exe
  • avgtray.exe
  • avmailc.exe
  • bdagent.exe
  • ksafesvc.exe
  • kvmonxp.exe
  • ravmond.exe

If one of these processes is found, it will rename the dropped DLL file to avoid detection.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.200

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

9.416.03

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

22 Sep 2012

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

9.417.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

23 Sep 2012

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 the malware/grayware file that dropped/downloaded BKDR_CINDYC.D

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
    • ts
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies
    • explorer

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
    • {random number} = "F0F996E3"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • key = "1"

Step 6

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as BKDR_CINDYC.D. 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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