Analysis by: Homer Pacag

ALIASES:

Backdoor:Win32/Qakbot.T (Microsoft); W32.Qakbot (Symantec);

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel: Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware

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.

It executes commands from a remote malicious user, effectively compromising the affected system. It connects to a website to send and receive information.

It prevents users from visiting antivirus-related websites that contain specific strings. It deletes itself after execution.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 217,088 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 10 Feb 2016
Payload: Compromises system security, Steals information

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 files:

  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\{random folder}\{random file name}.dll
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\{random folder}\{random file name}32.dll

(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 copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\{random folder}\{random file name}.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 adds the following processes:

  • explorer.exe

It creates the following folders:

  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\{random folder}

(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 is injected into the following processes running in memory:

  • created explorer.exe

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 name} = "%All Users Profile%\Application Data\Microsoft\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe"

It registers its dropped component as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup. It does this by creating the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\{random key}
ImagePath = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\{random folder}\{random file name}.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\{random key}
DisplayName = "Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Service"

It registers its dropped component as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup. It does this by creating the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\{random key}

Other System Modifications

This backdoor adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
Zones\2
2500 = "3"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
Zones\3
2500 = "3"

Backdoor Routine

This backdoor executes the following commands from a remote malicious user:

  • Download and execute component files
  • Download configuration and updates
  • Download updated copy of itself
  • Uninstall itself
  • Kill processes
  • Upload files containing stolen information
  • Perform FTP functionalities

It connects to the following websites to send and receive information:

  • http://{BLOCKED}t.{BLOCKED}izzade.com/pHVgHXc8g05qdgamO3ZHq.php

Process Termination

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

  • msdev.exe
  • dbgview.exe
  • ollydbg.exe
  • ctfmon.exe
  • Proxifier.exe

Information Theft

This backdoor monitors the Internet Explorer (IE) activities of the affected system, specifically the address bar or title bar. It recreates a legitimate website with a spoofed login page if a user visits banking sites with the following strings in the address bar or title bar:

  • .hsbcnet.com
  • .web-access.com
  • .webcashmgmt.com
  • /achupload
  • /cashman/
  • /cashplus/
  • /clkccm/
  • /cmserver/
  • /corpach/
  • /ibws/
  • /payments/ach
  • /stbcorp/
  • /wcmpr/
  • /wcmpw/
  • /wcmtr/
  • /wires/
  • /wiret
  • access.jpmorgan.com
  • accessonline.abnamro.com
  • achbatchlisting
  • bankeft.com
  • blilk.com
  • business-eb.ibanking-services.com
  • businessaccess.citibank.citigroup.com
  • businessbankingcenter.synovus.com
  • businessinternetbanking.synovus.com
  • businessonline.huntington.com
  • businessonline.tdbank.com
  • cashmanageronline.bbt.com
  • cashproonline.bankofamerica.com
  • cbs.firstcitizensonline.com
  • chsec.wellsfargo.com
  • cmol.bbt.com
  • cmoltp.bbt.com
  • commercial.bnc.ca
  • commercial.wachovia.com
  • commercial2.wachovia.com
  • commercial3.wachovia.com
  • commercial4.wachovia.com
  • corporatebanking
  • cpw-achweb.bankofamerica.com
  • ctm.53.com
  • directline4biz.com
  • directpay.wellsfargo.com
  • e-facts.org
  • e-moneyger.com
  • each.bremer.com
  • ebanking-services.com
  • ebc_ebc
  • express.53.com
  • firstmeritib.com
  • firstmeritib.com/defaultcorp.aspx
  • goldleafach.com
  • iachwellsprod.wellsfargo.com
  • ibc.klikbca.com
  • iris.sovereignbank.com
  • itreasury.regions.com
  • itreasurypr.regions.com
  • jsp/mainWeb.jsp
  • ktt.key.com
  • moneymanagergps.com
  • netconnect.bokf.com
  • nj00-wcm
  • ocm.suntrust.com
  • onlineserv/CM
  • otm.suntrust.com
  • paylinks.cunet.org
  • premierview.membersunited.org
  • providentnjolb.com
  • scotiaconnect.scotiabank.com
  • securentrycorp.amegybank.com
  • securentrycorp.zionsbank.com
  • singlepoint.usbank.com
  • svbconnect.com
  • tcfexpressbusiness.com
  • tdetreasury.tdbank.com
  • tmcb.zionsbank.com
  • tmconnectweb
  • treas-mgt.frostbank.com
  • treasury.pncbank.com
  • trz.tranzact.org
  • tssportal.jpmorgan.com
  • wc.wachovia.com
  • wcp.wachovia.com
  • web-cashplus.com
  • webexpress.tdbank.com
  • wellsoffice.wellsfargo.com

It gathers the following data:

  • GeoIP locations
  • Browser cookies
  • Flash cookies
  • Network information
  • System information
  • FTP, POP3, IMAP, SMTP, HTTPMail, NNTP Passwords
  • Outlook login credentials
  • Private keys from system certificates
  • Login credentials for certain websites
  • Internet sessions

Other Details

This backdoor connects to the following URL(s) to get the affected system's IP address:

  • www.ip-adress.com

It prevents users from visiting antivirus-related websites that contain the following strings:

  • .eset
  • agnitum
  • ahnlab
  • arcabit
  • avast
  • avg
  • avira
  • avp
  • bit9
  • bitdefender
  • castlecops
  • centralcommand
  • clamav
  • clearclouddns
  • comodo
  • computerassociates
  • cpsecure
  • defender
  • download.microsoft.
  • drweb
  • emsisoft
  • esafe
  • etrust
  • ewido
  • explabs.
  • f-prot
  • f-secure
  • fortinet
  • gdata
  • grisoft
  • hacksoft
  • hauri
  • hautesecure.com
  • ikarus
  • jotti
  • k7computing
  • kaspersky
  • malware
  • mcafee
  • networkassociates
  • nod32
  • norman
  • norton
  • panda
  • pctools
  • phishtank.com
  • prevx
  • quickheal
  • rising
  • rootkit
  • sanasecurity
  • securecomputing
  • sophos
  • spamhaus
  • spyware
  • sunbelt
  • symantec
  • threatexpert
  • threatfire
  • trendmicro
  • truste.com
  • update.microsoft.
  • virus
  • webroot.
  • wilderssecurity
  • windowsupdate

It deletes itself after execution.

NOTES:

This backdoor is capable of connecting to a certain IRC server using a certain port and joins a channel where it receives commands from a malicious user. It sends the following information to its C&C server:

  • ext_ip
  • dnsname
  • hostname
  • user
  • domain
  • is_admin
  • os
  • qbot_version
  • install_time
  • exe

This backdoor gathers passwords by monitoring the following applications:

  • aim.exe
  • firefox.exe
  • iexplore.exe
  • msmsgs.exe
  • msnmsgr.exe
  • opera.exe
  • outlook.exe
  • skype.exe
  • wscntfy.exe
  • wuauclt.exe
  • yahoomessenger.exe

It also steals stored passwords, cache and cookies from the following servers:

  • 001e6608
  • 001e6607
  • Email
  • HTTP Server URL
  • HTTP User
  • HTTPMail Server
  • HTTPMail User Name
  • IMAP Server
  • IMAP User
  • IMAP User Name
  • NNTP Email Address
  • NNTP Server
  • NNTP User Name
  • POP3 Server
  • POP3 User
  • POP3 User Name
  • SMTP Email Address
  • SMTP Server
  • SMTP User
  • SMTP User Name

It also monitors the browsing activities of the infected computer and logs all information related to websites containing the following strings:

  • .5min.com
  • 127.0.0.1
  • 180solutions.com
  • .adworldmedia.com
  • .amazonaws.com
  • .bing.com
  • .gator.com
  • .microsoft.com
  • .mozilla.com
  • .mozilla.org
  • .twimg.com
  • \.king.com
  • api.skype.com
  • audatexsolutions.com
  • auditude.com
  • brightcove.com
  • clients.mindbodyonline.com
  • conduit-services.com
  • contacts.msn.com
  • digitalmediacommunications.com
  • doubleclick.
  • eorezo.com
  • etsy.com
  • facebook.com
  • farmville.com
  • fwmrm.net
  • googleusercontent.com
  • hotbar.com
  • internet-optimizer.com
  • kixeye.com
  • localhost
  • loyaltyconnect.ihg.com
  • lphbs.com
  • mail.google.com
  • mail.services.live.com
  • mapquest.com
  • mendeley.com
  • messenger.live.com
  • mochibot.com
  • mybrowserbar.com
  • myshopres.com
  • netflix.com
  • newasp.com.cn
  • owlforce.com
  • phantomefx.com
  • playtoga.com
  • r777r.info
  • radialpoint.com
  • salesforce.com
  • search.msn.com
  • securestudies.com
  • seekmo.com
  • sipuku.com
  • spamblockerutility.com
  • storage.live.com
  • tbreport.bellsouth.net
  • tubemogul.com
  • webhancer.com
  • wildtangent.com
  • wpzkq.com
  • youtube.com
  • zango.com
  • zynga.com

It uses the following user names and passwords to gain access to password-protected shares:

  • 123
  • password
  • Password
  • letmein
  • 1234
  • 12345
  • 123456
  • 1234567
  • 12345678
  • 123456789
  • 1234567890
  • qwerty
  • love
  • iloveyou
  • princess
  • pussy
  • master
  • monkey
  • abc123
  • 99999999
  • 9999999
  • 999999
  • 99999
  • 9999
  • 999
  • 99
  • 9
  • 88888888
  • 8888888
  • 888888
  • 88888
  • 8888
  • 888
  • 88
  • 8
  • 77777777
  • 7777777
  • 777777
  • 77777
  • 7777
  • 777
  • 77
  • 7
  • 66666666
  • 6666666
  • 666666
  • 66666
  • 6666
  • 666
  • 66
  • 6
  • 55555555
  • 5555555
  • 555555
  • 55555
  • 5555
  • 555
  • 55
  • 5
  • 44444444
  • 4444444
  • 444444
  • 44444
  • 4444
  • 444
  • 44
  • 4
  • 33333333
  • 3333333
  • 333333
  • 33333
  • 3333
  • 333
  • 33
  • 3
  • 22222222
  • 2222222
  • 222222
  • 22222
  • 2222
  • 222
  • 22
  • 2
  • 11111111
  • 1111111
  • 111111
  • 11111
  • 1111
  • 111
  • 11
  • 1
  • 00000000
  • 0000000
  • 00000
  • 0000
  • 000
  • 00
  • 0987654321
  • 987654321
  • 87654321
  • 7654321
  • 654321
  • 54321
  • 4321
  • 321
  • 21
  • 12
  • super
  • secret
  • server
  • computer
  • owner
  • backup
  • database
  • lotus
  • oracle
  • business
  • manager
  • temporary
  • ihavenopass
  • nothing
  • nopassword
  • nopass
  • Internet
  • internet
  • example
  • sample
  • love123
  • boss123
  • work123
  • home123
  • mypc123
  • temp123
  • test123
  • qwe123
  • pw123
  • root123
  • pass123
  • pass12
  • pass1
  • admin123
  • admin12
  • admin1
  • password123
  • password12
  • password1
  • default
  • foobar
  • foofoo
  • temptemp
  • temp
  • testtest
  • test
  • rootroot
  • root
  • fuck
  • zzzzz
  • zzzz
  • zzz
  • xxxxx
  • xxxx
  • xxx
  • qqqqq
  • qqqq
  • qqq
  • aaaaa
  • aaaa
  • aaa
  • sql
  • file
  • web
  • foo
  • job
  • home
  • work
  • intranet
  • controller
  • killer
  • games
  • private
  • market
  • coffee
  • cookie
  • forever
  • freedom
  • student
  • account
  • academia
  • files
  • windows
  • monitor
  • unknown
  • anything
  • letitbe
  • domain
  • access
  • money
  • campus
  • explorer
  • exchange
  • customer
  • cluster
  • nobody
  • codeword
  • codename
  • changeme
  • desktop
  • security
  • secure
  • public
  • system
  • shadow
  • office
  • supervisor
  • superuser
  • share
  • adminadmin
  • mypassword
  • mypass
  • pass
  • Login
  • login
  • passwd
  • zxcvbn
  • zxcvb
  • zxccxz
  • zxcxz
  • qazwsxedc
  • qazwsx
  • q1w2e3
  • qweasdzxc
  • asdfgh
  • asdzxc
  • asddsa
  • asdsa
  • qweasd
  • qweewq
  • qwewq
  • nimda
  • administrator
  • Admin
  • admin
  • a1b2c3
  • 1q2w3e
  • 1234qwer
  • 1234abcd
  • 123asd
  • 123qwe
  • 123abc
  • 123321
  • 12321
  • 123123
  • James
  • John
  • Robert
  • Michael
  • William
  • David
  • Richard
  • Charles
  • Joseph
  • Thomas
  • Christopher
  • Daniel
  • Paul
  • Mark
  • Donald
  • George
  • Kenneth
  • Steven
  • Edward
  • Brian
  • Ronald
  • Anthony
  • Kevin
  • Mary
  • Patricia
  • Linda
  • Barbara
  • Elizabeth
  • Jennifer
  • Maria
  • Susan
  • Margaret
  • Dorothy
  • Lisa
  • Nancy
  • Karen
  • Betty
  • Helen
  • Sandra
  • Donna
  • Carol
  • james
  • john
  • robert
  • michael
  • william
  • david
  • richard
  • charles
  • joseph
  • thomas
  • christopher
  • daniel
  • paul
  • mark
  • donald
  • george
  • kenneth
  • steven
  • edward
  • brian
  • ronald
  • anthony
  • kevin
  • mary
  • patricia
  • linda
  • barbara
  • elizabeth
  • jennifer
  • maria
  • susan
  • margaret
  • dorothy
  • lisa
  • nancy
  • karen
  • betty
  • helen
  • sandra
  • donna
  • carol
  • baseball
  • dragon
  • football
  • mustang
  • superman
  • 696969
  • batman
  • trustno1

It terminates itself when executed in the following Virtual Environments:

  • Virtual HD
  • VirtualProtect
  • VirtualBox
  • CWSandbox
  • VMWare

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.700
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 12.288.04
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 22 Jan 2016
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 12.289.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 22 Jan 2016

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 key

[ 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. Before you could do this, you must restart in Safe Mode. For instructions on how to do this, you may refer to this page If the preceding step requires you to restart in safe mode, you may proceed to edit the system registry.

 
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
    • {random key}

Step 5

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\Internet Settings\Zones\2
    • 2500 = "3"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3
    • 2500 = "3"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • {random name} = "%All Users Profile%\Application Data\Microsoft\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe"

Step 6

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%\Microsoft\{random folder}

Step 7

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