WORM_BRONTOK.WBQ


 ALIASES:

Worm:Win32/Lightmoon.H (Microsoft); W32/MoonLight.worm (McAfee); W32.Rontokbro@mm (Symantec); HEUR:Trojan.Win32.Generic (Kaspersky); W32/Lightmoon-A (Sophos); Worm.Win32.Moonlight.gen (v) (Sunbelt); Worm/Generic3.EHY (AVG)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

 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.

It disables Task Manager, Registry Editor, and Folder Options.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

2,162,688 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

20 Jan 2015

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 copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %User Profile%\O60608Z\service.exe

(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %Windows%\M03731
  • %User Profile%\Templates\O60608Z
  • %System%\X46674go

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

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
T1TT4 = "\l.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
T = "\sa-.exe"

It modifies the following registry entries to ensure it automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Shell = "explorer.exe, \Tux.exe "

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Userinit = "\userinit.exe , \JabLay.com "

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %Windows%\system32\userinit.exe,.)

Other System Modifications

This worm adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\
untukmu\version

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
msconfig.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
regedit.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
TUX\Path

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
TUX\biang

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\
untukmu\version
me = "4"

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
msconfig.exe
debugger = "\notepad.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
regedit.exe
debugger = "\notepad.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
TUX\Path
1 = "M03731"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
TUX\Path
2 = "O60608Z"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
TUX\Path
3 = "X46674go"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
TUX\biang
1 = "7e73"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
TUX\biang
2 = "d817e"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
TUX\biang
3 = "bf2d6"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
TUX\biang
4 = "c3eef"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
TUX\biang
5 = "4f428"

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
CabinetState
FullPath = "1"

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

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

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

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 2.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\SharedAccess
Start = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 2.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
User Shell Folders
Common Startup = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {random values}.)

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\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Control\SafeBoot
AlternateShell = "l.exe"

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\
Control\SafeBoot
AlternateShell = "l.exe"

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

It creates the following registry entry(ies) to disable Task Manager, Registry Tools and Folder Options:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
DisableRegistryTools = "1"

Dropping Routine

This worm drops the following files:

  • \msvbvm60.dll
  • %System%\msvbvm60.dll
  • %User Profile%\O60608Z\winlogon.exe
  • %Windows%\M03731\EmangEloh.exe
  • %Windows%\M03731\smss.exe
  • %System%\X46674go\Z516211cie.cmd
  • %Windows%\sa-885118.exe
  • %Windows%\Ti783062ta.exe
  • %Windows%\M03731\Ja802543bLay.com
  • %System%\516211783062l.exe
  • %User Startup%\sql.cmd
  • %User Profile%\O60608Z\TuxO60608Z.exe

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.700

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

Identify and delete files detected as WORM_BRONTOK.WBQ using either the Startup Disk or Recovery Console

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

Enable Registry Editor, Task Manager, and Folder options

[ Learn More ]
By doing this step, you also enable other applications/programs disabled by this malware/grayware/spyware.

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\VB and VBA Program Settings\untukmu
    • version
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
    • System
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
    • msconfig.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
    • regedit.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\TUX
    • Path
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\TUX
    • biang

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\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • T1TT4 = "\l.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • T = "\sa-.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\untukmu\version
    • me = "4"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
    • ShowSuperHidden = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msconfig.exe
    • debugger = "\notepad.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\regedit.exe
    • debugger = "\notepad.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\TUX\Path
    • 1 = "M03731"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\TUX\Path
    • 2 = "O60608Z"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\TUX\Path
    • 3 = "X46674go"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\TUX\biang
    • 1 = "7e73"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\TUX\biang
    • 2 = "d817e"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\TUX\biang
    • 3 = "bf2d6"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\TUX\biang
    • 4 = "c3eef"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\TUX\biang
    • 5 = "4f428"

Step 6

Restore these modified registry values

[ Learn More ]

Important:Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this only if you know how to or you can seek your system administrator's help. You may also check out this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CabinetState
    • FullPath = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
    • From: HideFileExt = "1"
      To: HideFileExt = ""1""
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
    • From: Hidden = "0"
      To: Hidden = ""2""
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\SharedAccess
    • From: Start = "0"
      To: Start = ""2""
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
    • From: Common Startup = "0"
      To: Common Startup = ""{random values}""
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\SuperHidden
    • From: UncheckedValue = "0"
      To: UncheckedValue = ""1""
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\SafeBoot
    • From: AlternateShell = "l.exe"
      To: AlternateShell = ""cmd.exe""
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Control\SafeBoot
    • From: AlternateShell = "l.exe"
      To: AlternateShell = ""cmd.exe""
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
    • From: Shell = "explorer.exe, \Tux.exe "
      To: Shell = ""Explorer.exe""
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
    • From: Userinit = "\userinit.exe , \JabLay.com "
      To: Userinit = ""%Windows%\system32\userinit.exe,""

Step 7

Search and delete these components

[ Learn More ]
There may be some components 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.
  • \msvbvm60.dll
  • %System%\msvbvm60.dll
  • %User Profile%\O60608Z\winlogon.exe
  • %Windows%\M03731\EmangEloh.exe
  • %Windows%\M03731\smss.exe
  • %System%\X46674go\Z516211cie.cmd
  • %Windows%\sa-885118.exe
  • %Windows%\Ti783062ta.exe
  • %Windows%\M03731\Ja802543bLay.com
  • %System%\516211783062l.exe
  • %User Startup%\sql.cmd
  • %User Profile%\O60608Z\TuxO60608Z.exe

Step 8

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.
  • %Windows%\M03731
  • %User Profile%\Templates\O60608Z
  • %System%\X46674go

Step 9

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as WORM_BRONTOK.WBQ. 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.


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.