- Threat Encyclopedia
- Malware
- WORM_QAKBOT.WIN
Backdoor:Win32/Qakbot.gen!B (Microsoft); Trojan-PSW.Win32.Qbot.ckw (Kaspersky) Backdoor.IRC.Bot (Mcafee)
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
Propagates via network shares
This worm is capable of monitoring the browsing activities of the affected computer and logs all information related to finance-related websites containing certain strings.
It also collects information such as account name, browsing activities, certificates, and system information.
It blocks security-related websites.
It downloads components from certain URLs.
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 drops copies of itself into network drives.
It also has rootkit capabilities, which enables it to hide its processes and files from the user.
339,968 bytes
PE
Yes
09 Apr 2011
Compromises system security, Downloads files, Steals information, Hides files and processes
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 files:
(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)
It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:
(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)
It creates the following folders:
(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)
It is injected into the following processes running in memory:
Autostart Technique
This worm adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{random characters} = "%System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Microsoft\{random characters}\{random characters}.exe"
It modifies the following registry entries to ensure it automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{legitimate application} = ""%System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe" /c {path and file name of legitimate application}"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {path and file name of legitimate application}.)
Propagation
This worm drops copies of itself into network drives.
Rootkit Capabilities
This worm also has rootkit capabilities, which enables it to hide its processes and files from the user.
NOTES:
It may accept the following parameters:
It enumerates network shares and drops a copy of the main executable and the package file to default shares.
This worm's configuration file contains the following information:
It is capable of monitoring the browsing activities of the affected computer and logs all information related to finance-related websites containing the following strings:
It may also collect the following information:
It blocks access to websites with the following strings:
It does not continue its routine if its host process is any of the following:
It downloads updated components from the following websites:
It saves the downloaded components in the following folder:
It sends the gathered information to the following sites using credentials from its configuration file:
It may also connect to IRC servers and receive commands from a remote user.
This malware is capable of dropping a copy of itself to default shares in the network. It then starts a service to execute the dropped file.
Whenever a USB drive is plugged in, it randomly selects a filename in the drive and name its dropped copy as {malware filename}_{selected filename}.exe. If the drive is empty, it appends _Documents in its filename. For example, {malware_filename}_Documents.exe.
It attempts to access certain URLs to get its peer list. However, none are currently accessible.
8.900
7.960.01
09 Apr 2011
Step 1
For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.
Step 2
Identify and delete files detected as WORM_QAKBOT.WIN using either the Startup Disk or Recovery Console
Step 3
Delete this registry value
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.
Step 4
Restore this modified registry value
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.
Step 5
Search and delete this folder
Step 6
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as WORM_QAKBOT.WIN. 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.