BKDR_BIFROSE.AQJ


 ALIASES:

Backdoor:Win32/Bifrose.D (Microsoft); BackDoor-CEP (McAfee); Backdoor.Bifrose (Symantec); Backdoor.Win32.Bifrose.ewk (Kaspersky); BehavesLike.Win32.Malware.bsf (vs) (Sunbelt); Trojan horse BackDoor.Generic12.ASWM (AVG)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

It deletes itself after execution.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

89,317 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

26 May 2013

Arrival Details

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

  • %System%\Atxi.exe

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
win2k = "%System%\Atxi.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Active Setup\Installed Components\{9B71D88C-C598-4935-C5D1-43AA4DB90836}
stubpath = "%System%\Atxi.exe s"

Other System Modifications

This backdoor deletes the following files:

  • %System%\Atxi.exe

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)

It adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Active Setup\Installed Components\{9B71D88C-C598-4935-C5D1-43AA4DB90836}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wget

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Wget

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Control\MediaResources\msvideo

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wget
nck = "{random values}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Wget
klg = "{random values}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Wget
plg1 = "{random values}"

Dropping Routine

This backdoor drops the following files:

  • %System%\plugin1.dat

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)

Other Details

This backdoor deletes itself after execution.

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components
    • {9B71D88C-C598-4935-C5D1-43AA4DB90836}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
    • Wget
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE
    • Wget
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\MediaResources
    • msvideo

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • win2k = "%System%\Atxi.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{9B71D88C-C598-4935-C5D1-43AA4DB90836}
    • stubpath = "%System%\Atxi.exe s"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wget
    • nck = "{random values}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Wget
    • klg = "{random values}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Wget
    • plg1 = "{random 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.
  • %System%\plugin1.dat

Step 6

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as BKDR_BIFROSE.AQJ. 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 7

Restore this file from backup only Microsoft-related files will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted files related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on you computer again.

  • %System%\Atxi.exe


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