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:
- %All Users Profile%\Application Data\{random 1}\{random 2}.{random 3 characters}
(Note: %All Users Profile% is the All Users folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\ProgramData on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)
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
{random 1} = "regsvr32.exe "%All Users Profile%\Application Data\{random 1}\{random 2}.{random 3 characters}"
Other System Modifications
This backdoor adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows\Safer\
CodeIdentifiers
DefaultLevel = "262144"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows\Safer\
CodeIdentifiers
TransparentEnabled = "1"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows\Safer\
CodeIdentifiers
PolicyScope = "0"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
NoProtectedModeBanner = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
TabProcGrowth = "0"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{CLSID 1}
{random value 1} = "{hex values}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{CLSID 1}
{random value 2} = "{hex values}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{CLSID 1}
{random value 3} = "{hex values}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{CLSID 1}
{random value 4} = "{hex values}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{CLSID 1}
{random value 5} = "{hex values}"
Backdoor Routine
This backdoor executes the following commands from a remote malicious user:
- Log keystrokes
- Capture Screenshots
- Open a process
- Install Updates
- List Process
- Inject code to process
- Download and execute files
- Download configuration
- Start/Stop Video
- Start VNC
It connects to the following URL(s) to send and receive commands from a remote malicious user:
- http://{BLOCKED}glaref.ru/stats/00/counter/{hex}/{hex}
- http://{BLOCKED}insed.ru/stats/00/counter/{hex}/{hex}
- http://{BLOCKED}tvuyfm.com/stats/00/counter/{hex}/{hex}
- http://{BLOCKED}uy.com/stats/00/counter/{hex}/{hex}
- http://{BLOCKED}uy.com/stats/00/counter/{hex}/{hex}
- http://{BLOCKED}enhap.ru/stats/00/counter/{hex}/{hex}
- http://{BLOCKED}erheg.ru/stats/00/counter/{hex}/{hex}
- http://{BLOCKED}wasmuch.ru/stats/00/counter/{hex}/{hex}
As of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
Web Browser Home Page and Search Page Modification
This backdoor modifies the Internet Explorer Zone Settings.
Information Theft
This backdoor attempts to steal stored account information used in the following installed File Transfer Protocol (FTP) clients or file manager software:
- 3D-FTP
- AceFTP
- BitKinex
- BlazeFtp
- BulletProof FTP
- ClassicFTP
- CoffeeCup Software
- Cyberduck
- DeluxeFTP
- Directory Opus
- EasyFTP
- ExpanDrive
- FarManager
- FastStone Browser
- FFFTP
- FileZilla
- FlashFXP
- Fling FTP
- FreshFTP
- FTP Commander
- FTP Explorer
- FTP Navigator
- FTPGetter
- FTPNow
- FTPRush
- FTPShell
- FTPVoyager
- FTPWare
- FTP++
- GlobalSCAPE CuteFTP 6 Home
- GlobalSCAPE CuteFTP 7 Home
- GlobalSCAPE CuteFTP 8 Home
- GlobalSCAPE CuteFTP
- GlobalSCAPE CuteFTP 8 Professional
- GlobalSCAPE CuteFTP 6 Professional
- GlobalSCAPE CuteFTP 7 Professional
- GlobalSCAPE CuteFTP Lite
- GlobalSCAPE CuteFTP Pro
- Global Downloader
- GoFTP
- LeapFTP
- LeechFTP
- LinasFTP
- My FTP
- NetDrive
- NetSarang
- NexusFile
- NovaFTP
- PuTTY
- RhinoSoft
- Robo-FTP
- SecureFX
- SmartFTP
- SoftX FTP
- Staff-FTP
- Total Commander
- TurboFTP
- UltraFXP
- WebDrive FTP
- WinFTP
- WinSCP
- Windows Commander
- WiseFTP
It attempts to steal stored email credentials from the following:
- IncrediMail
- Microsoft Outlook
- PocoMail
- BatMail
- Thunderbird
- Windows Live Mail
- Windows Mail
It attempts to get stored information such as user names, passwords, and hostnames from the following browsers:
- Epic
- Flock
- K-Meleon
- Mozilla Firefox
- SeaMonkey
- Chrome
- Faststone
- Opera
- Safari
NOTES:
This backdoor has the capability to setup a VNC (virtual network computing) server to take control of the compromised computer.
It disables SDPY.
It injects code to the all running processes except the following:
- csrss.exe
- smss.exe
- wininit.exe
- services.exe
- svchost.exe
- lsass.exe
- lsm.exe
- winlogon.exe
- Dbgview.exe
- taskhost.exe
This backdoor only performs its intended routine once it is injected in the following processes:
- chrome.exe
- explorer.exe
- firefox.exe
- iexplore.exe
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
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as BKDR_VAWTRAK.VTJ
Step 4
Restart in Safe Mode
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To restart in Safe Mode:
• For Windows 2000 users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 when you see the Starting Windows bar at the bottom of the screen.
- Choose the Safe Mode option from the Windows Advanced Options menu then press Enter.
• For Windows XP users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 after the Power-On Self Test (POST) routine is done. If the Windows Advanced Options menu does not appear, try restarting then pressing F8 several times when the POST screen appears.
- Choose the Safe Mode option from the Windows Advanced Options menu then press Enter.
• For Windows Server 2003 users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 after Windows starts up. If the Windows Advanced Options menu does not appear, try restarting again and pressing F8 several times afterward.
- On the Windows Advanced Option menu, use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode then press Enter.
• For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 after the Power-On Self Test (POST) routine is done. If the Advanced Boot Options menu does not appear, try restarting and then pressing F8 several times after the POST screen is displayed.
- On the Advanced Boot Options menu, use the arrow keys to select the Safe Mode option, and then press Enter.
• For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users
- Access the Charms bar by moving your mouse pointer to the upper right corner of the screen.
- Move your mouse pointer down and click Settings>Change your PC Settings.
- In the left panel, click General.
- In the right panel, scroll down to the bottom to find the Advanced startup section, then click the Restart now button and wait for the system to restart.
- In the Advanced Startup menu, click Troubleshoot>Advanced Options>Startup Settings>Restart and wait for the system to restart.
- In the Startup Settings menu, press 4 to enable safe mode.
Step 5
Delete this registry value
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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
- {random 1} = "regsvr32.exe "%All Users Profile%\Application Data\{random 1}\{random 2}.{random 3 characters}"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Safer\CodeIdentifiers
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Safer\CodeIdentifiers
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Safer\CodeIdentifiers
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
- NoProtectedModeBanner = "1"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
To delete the registry value this malware created:
- Open Registry Editor. To do this:
» For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 users, click Start>Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter.
» For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users, click the Start button, type regedit in the Search input field then press Enter.
» For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter. - In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Run - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
{random 1} = "regsvr32.exe "%All Users Profile%\Application Data\{random 1}\{random 2}.{random 3 characters}" - In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Policies>Microsoft>Windows>Safer>CodeIdentifiers - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
DefaultLevel = "262144" - Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
TransparentEnabled = "1" - Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
PolicyScope = "0" - In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft>Internet Explorer>Main - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
NoProtectedModeBanner = "1" - Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
TabProcGrowth = "0" - Close Registry Editor.
Step 6
Reset Internet security settings
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To reset Internet security settings:
- Close all Internet browser windows.
- Open Control Panel. To do this:
• On Windows 2000
Click Start>Settings>Control Panel
• On Windows XP, Server 2003, Vista, and 7
Click Start>Control Panel - Double-click Internet Options.
- In the Internet Properties window, click the Security tab.
- For each Web content zone, click on the Default Level button to set each zone to the default setting.
- Click OK.
Step 7
Reset Internet privacy settings
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To reset Internet privacy settings:
- Close all Internet browser windows.
- Open Control Panel. To do this:
• For Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, click Start>Settings>Control Panel
• For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008, click Start>Control Panel, then click Network and Internet • For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Control Panel, then click Network and Internet - Double-click Internet Options.
- In the Internet Properties window, click the Privacy tab.
- Click on the Default button to set to the default setting.
- Click OK.
Step 8
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as BKDR_VAWTRAK.VTJ. 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 9
The following created files/folders/registry keys/registry entries cannot be identified by the user since there are no reference values in the created key. The only way it can be identified is by comparing the present system information with a backup. Note that the said components do not have to be deleted since it won't be harmful to the system.
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{CLSID 1}
- {random value 1} = "{hex values}"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{CLSID 1}
- {random value 2} = "{hex values}"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{CLSID 1}
- {random value 3} = "{hex values}"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{CLSID 1}
- {random value 4} = "{hex values}"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{CLSID 1}
- {random value 5} = "{hex values}"
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