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WORM_COINMINER.INL

July 03, 2018
 Analysis by: John Anthony Banes
 ALIASES:

Worm:Win32/NeksMiner.A (Microsoft); Worm.NSIS.BitMin.d (Kaspersky)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • 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 uses the default Windows folder icon to trick users into opening the file. Double-clicking the file executes this malware.

It propagates via shared networks and drops copies of itself into available networks.

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

1,033,458 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

20 Jun 2018

Arrival Details

This Worm may arrive via network shares.

It 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 and executes them:

  • %Application Data%\Temps\DOC001.exe

(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming 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.)

It drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\nsn{random}.tmp\inetc.dll
  • %User Temp%\java.exe
  • %User Temp%\java12.exe

(Note: %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp 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.)

It drops and executes the following files:

  • %Application Data%\Temps\NsCpuCNMiner32.exe
  • %Application Data%\Temps\NsCpuCNMiner64.exe

(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming 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.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %Application Data%\Temps

(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming 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.)

It uses the default Windows folder icon to trick users into opening the file. Double-clicking the file executes this malware.

Autostart Technique

This Worm drops the following shortcut pointing to its copy in the User Startup folder to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Startup\explorer.lnk

(Note: %Start Menu% is the Start Menu folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu 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.)

Propagation

This Worm propagates via shared networks and drops copies of itself into available networks.

It drops copies of itself in the following drives:

  • {drive letter}:\DOC001.exe

Other Details

This Worm connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}p.ru/java.dat
  • http://{BLOCKED}p.ru/tess.html
  • http://{BLOCKED}o.ru/java12.dat

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

14.356.01

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

02 Jul 2018

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

14.357.80

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

03 Jul 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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 4

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.
  • %Application Data%\Temps

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.
  • %User Temp%\nsn{random}.tmp\inetc.dll
  • %User Temp%\java.exe
  • %User Temp%\java12.exe
  • %Application Data%\Temps\NsCpuCNMiner32.exe
  • %Application Data%\Temps\NsCpuCNMiner64.exe
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Startup\explorer.lnk

Step 6

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as WORM_COINMINER.INL. 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.


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