BKDR_NUKESPED.A

 Analysis by: Rheniel Rhay Ramos

 ALIASES:

Backdoor:Win32/Hidcob.A (Microsoft); Win32/NukeSped.CX (ESET-NOD32); RDN/Generic BackDoor (McAfee)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Dropped by other malware

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 listens on ports.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

208,896 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

14 Jan 2018

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.

Other System Modifications

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfileGloballyOpenPorts\List
8000:TCP = "8000:TCP:*:Enabled:WMI Provider Event System"

Backdoor Routine

This Backdoor listens on the following port(s):

  • 8000

Other Details

This Backdoor does the following:

  • It opens the Windows Firewall which allows incoming connections and turn the system into a proxy server.
  • It initiates a FAKE TLS connection using one of the following public SSL certificates before every connection to make the connection appear more legitimate and never complete the TLS session:
    • myservice.xbox.com
    • uk.yahoo.com
    • web.whatsapp.com
    • www.apple.com
    • www.baidu.com
    • www.bing.com
    • www.bitcoin.org
    • www.comodo.com
    • www.debian.org
    • www.dropbox.com
    • www.facebook.com
    • www.github.com
    • www.google.com
    • www.lenovo.com
    • www.microsoft.com
    • www.paypal.com
    • www.tumblr.com
    • www.twitter.com
    • www.wetransfer.com
    • www.wikipedia.org

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

13.984.04

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

04 Jan 2018

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

13.985.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

05 Jan 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

Identify and terminate files detected as BKDR_NUKESPED.A

[ Learn More ]
  1. Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
  2. If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

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\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfileGloballyOpenPorts\List
    • 8000:TCP = "8000:TCP:*:Enabled:WMI Provider Event System"

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as BKDR_NUKESPED.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 the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:


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