Analysis by: John Donnie Celestre

ALIASES:

Backdoor.Win32.Androm.mooz (KASPERSKY); Backdoor.Andromeda (MALWAREBYTES)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 299,520 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 29 Aug 2018

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:

  • %Application Data%\{random foldername}\{random chars}.exe

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

Autostart Technique

This Backdoor creates the following registry entries to enable automatic execution of dropped component at every system startup:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{random chars} = %Application Data%\{random foldername}\{random chars}.exe

Propagation

This Backdoor drops copies of itself in the following drives:

  • {removable drive letter}:\{random foldername}\{random chars}.exe

It creates shortcut files (.LNK) disguised as folders or files located on the affected drives pointing to the malware copy.

Other Details

This Backdoor connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • v1.{BLOCKED}b.ru
  • v1.{BLOCKED}b.ru
  • v1.{BLOCKED}x.ru
  • v1.{BLOCKED}a.ru
  • v1.{BLOCKED}c.ru
  • v1.{BLOCKED}p.ru
  • v1.{BLOCKED}7.ru
  • v1.{BLOCKED}a.ru
  • v1.{BLOCKED}m.ru
  • v1.{BLOCKED}x.ru
  • v1.{BLOCKED}d.ru
  • v1.{BLOCKED}d.ru
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.1.27:1281
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.218.117:80

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.850
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 14.431.00
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 08 Aug 2018
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 14.432.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 09 Aug 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

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'
    • {random chars} = %Application Data%\{random foldername}\{random chars}.exe

Step 5

Search and delete these files

[ 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.
  • %Application Data%\{random foldername}\{random chars}.exe
  • {removable drive letter}:\{random foldername}\{random chars}.exe

Step 6

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