Analysis by: Joie Salvio
ALIASES:

Backdoor:Win32/Simda.A (Microsoft), Backdoor.Win32.Simda.puc (Kaspersky), Win32/Simda.B trojan (ESET)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)

 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 then deletes itself afterward.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 1,312,256 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 21 Aug 2013
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:

  • %User Profile%\Application Data\{random filename}.reg
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\mcp.ico
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{random folder name}\searchplugins\search.xml
  • %Desktop%\Computer.lnk
  • %User Temp%\{random filename}.sys
  • %User Temp%\{random filename}.exe
  • %User Temp%\{random filename}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{random number}.exe

(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.. %Desktop% is the current user's desktop, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Desktop on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop on Windows Vista and 7.. %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.)

It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %Application Data%\ScanDisc.exe
  • %Application Data%\{random filename}.exe
  • %User Temp%\{random filename}.tmp

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

It executes then deletes itself afterward.

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\RunOnce
{random name} = ""%Application Data%\{random filename}.exe" opt"

Other System Modifications

This backdoor adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
ConsentPromptBehaviorUser = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
EnableLUA = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows
update = "shortcut"

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\Tcpip\Parameters\
Interfaces\{GUID}
NameServer = "8.8.8.8"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is "".)

Backdoor Routine

This backdoor connects to the following URL(s) to send and receive commands from a remote malicious user:

  • {BLOCKED}t.{pseudorandom characters}.com
  • {BLOCKED}e{random integer}.{pseudorandom characters}.com
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.131.123
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.173.222
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.37.21
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.83.116
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.37.21

Download Routine

This backdoor connects to the following website(s) to download and execute a malicious file:

  • http://update1.cl64domain.com/abbr=RTK&action=download&setupType=umx&setupFileName=process_64.exe
  • http://update1.randomstring.com/update_c1eec.exe

HOSTS File Modification

This backdoor modifies the system's HOSTS files to redirect users once the following Web site(s) are accessed:

  • google-analytics.com
  • ad-emea.doubleclick.net
  • statcounter.com

It adds the following strings to the Windows HOSTS file:

  • ::1 localhost
  • 192.157.56.28 www.google-analytics.com.
  • 192.157.56.28 ad-emea.doubleclick.net.
  • 192.157.56.28 www.statcounter.com.
  • 93.115.241.27 www.google-analytics.com.
  • 93.115.241.27 ad-emea.doubleclick.net.
  • 93.115.241.27 www.statcounter.com.

Information Theft

This backdoor gathers the following data:

  • Computer Name
  • Operating System Version
  • Language Information
  • System Architecture
  • Drive Manufacturer
  • Volume Information
  • Network Adapter
  • SusClientId
  • Product Id

NOTES:

This backdoor tries to check if it's being monitored or is running in a virtual environment by checking a list of registry entries and running processes, among other conditions.

It checks if the following processes are running on the affected system:

  • cv.exe
  • irise.exe
  • IrisSvc.exe
  • wireshark.exe
  • dumpcap.exe
  • ZxSniffer.exe
  • Aircrack-ng Gui.exe
  • observer.exe
  • tcpdump.exe
  • WinDump.exe
  • wspass.exe
  • Regshot.exe
  • ollydbg.exe
  • PEBrowseDbg.exe
  • windbg.exe
  • DrvLoader.exe
  • SymRecv.exe
  • Syser.exe
  • apis32.exe
  • VBoxService.exe
  • VBoxTray.exe
  • SbieSvc.exe
  • SbieCtrl.exe
  • SandboxieRpcSs.exe
  • SandboxieDcomLaunch.exe
  • SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
  • ERUNT.exe
  • ERDNT.exe
  • EtherD.exe
  • Sniffer.exe
  • CamtasiaStudio.exe
  • CamRecorder.exe
It checks the existence of the following registry entries:
  • Software\\CommView
  • SYSTEM\\CurrentControlSet\\Services\\IRIS5
  • Software\\eEye Digital Security
  • Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Uninstall\\Wireshark
  • Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\App Paths\\wireshark.exe
  • Software\\ZxSniffer
  • Software\\Cygwin
  • Software\\B Labs\\Bopup Observer
  • AppEvents\\Schemes\\Apps\\Bopup Observer
  • Software\\B Labs\\Bopup Observer
  • Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Uninstall\\Win Sniffer_is1
  • Software\\Win Sniffer
  • Software\\Classes\\PEBrowseDotNETProfiler.DotNETProfiler
  • Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\MenuOrder\\Start Menu2\\Programs\\Debugging Tools for Windows (x86)
  • SYSTEM\\CurrentControlSet\\Services\\SDbgMsg
  • Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\MenuOrder\\Start Menu2\\Programs\\APIS32
  • Software\\Syser Soft
  • Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Uninstall\\APIS32
  • Software\\APIS32
  • Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Uninstall\\Oracle VM VirtualBox Guest Additions
  • SYSTEM\\CurrentControlSet\\Services\\VBoxGuest
  • Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Uninstall\\Sandboxie
  • SYSTEM\\CurrentControlSet\\Services\\SbieDrv
  • Software\\Classes\\Folder\\shell\\sandbox
  • Software\\Classes\\*\\shell\\sandbox
  • Software\\SUPERAntiSpyware.com
  • Software\\Classes\\SUPERAntiSpywareContextMenuExt.SASCon.1
  • Software\\SUPERAntiSpyware.com
  • Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Uninstall\\ERUNT_is1

It also checks if the following libraries are loaded by any of the currently running processes:

  • SBIEDLL.DLL
  • SBIEDLLX.DLL
  • DBGHELP.DLL

These libraries are commonly used in sandbox/virtual environments and debugger applications.

It checks if the following conditions are true:

  • Computer name = Sandbox
  • User name = CurrentUser
  • File name = file.exe

If certain conditions are met, this backdoor does not execute its intended routines.

It also redirects users when visiting certain sites:

  • www.google.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.99
  • google.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
  • google.com.au.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.104
  • www.google.com.au.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.be.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.77.12587.148
  • www.google.be.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.149
  • google.com.br.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.109
  • www.google.com.br.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.150
  • google.ca.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.152
  • www.google.ca.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.153
  • google.ch.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.155
  • www.google.ch.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.158
  • google.de.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.160
  • www.google.de.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.161
  • google.dk.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.123
  • www.google.dk.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.160
  • google.fr.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.154
  • www.google.fr.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.134
  • google.ie.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.170
  • www.google.ie.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.177
  • google.it.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.173
  • www.google.it.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.co.jp.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
  • www.google.co.jp.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.nl.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
  • www.google.nl.{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}=84.125.87.147
  • google.no.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
  • www.google.no.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.co.nz.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
  • www.google.co.nz.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.pl.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
  • www.google.pl.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.se.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
  • www.google.se.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.co.uk.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
  • www.google.co.uk.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.co.za.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
  • www.google.co.za.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.gr.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
  • www.google.gr.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.ro.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
  • www.google.ro.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.pt.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
  • www.google.pt.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.es.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
  • www.google.es.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.es.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
  • www.google.es.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.com.tr.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
  • www.google.com.tr.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.com.tr.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
  • www.google.com.tr.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.hu.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
  • www.google.hu.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.cz.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
  • www.google.cz.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.at.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
  • www.google.at.{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}=64.125.87.147
  • google.fi.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
  • www.google.fi.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.co.in.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
  • www.google.co.in.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.com.ar.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
  • www.google.com.ar.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.com.co.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.com.co.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.com.mx.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.com.mx.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.com.pe.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.com.pe.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.cl.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.cl.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.co.ve.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.co.ve.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.com.my.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.com.my.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.com.vn.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.com.vn.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.co.id.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.co.id.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.co.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.co.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.com.ph.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.com.ph.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.co.il.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.co.il.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.sk.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.sk.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.com.pr.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.com.pr.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.co.th.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}87.147
  • google.co.th.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.ba.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}87.147
  • google.ba.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.lt.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.lt.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.com.sa.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.com.sa.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.rs.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.rs.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.hr.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.hr.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.com.sg.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.com.sg.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.bg.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.bg.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.si.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.si.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.ae.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.ae.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.ee.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.ee.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.com.ec.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.com.ec.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.com.za.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.com.za.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.google.sn.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • google.sn.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
  • www.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • gr.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • ir.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • gb.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • dk.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • au.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • ro.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • ca.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • pt.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • it.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • de.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • es.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • tr.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • hu.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • br.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • cz.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • ie.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • ch.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • nl.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • se.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • no.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • at.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • fi.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • fr.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • pl.bing.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
  • search.yahoo.com.=72.30.186.249
  • www.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED.{BLOCKED}.186.249
  • gr.uk.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • ir.uk.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED.{BLOCKED}.239.84
  • uk.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • dk.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED.{BLOCKED.112.8
  • au.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED.{BLOCKED.112.8
  • ro.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED.{BLOCKED.112.8
  • ca.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • pt.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • it.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • de.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • es.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • tr.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • hu.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • br.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • cz.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • ie.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • ch.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • nl.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • se.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • no.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • fr.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • pl.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • mx.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • search.yahoo.co.jp.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • gr.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • malaysia.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • vn.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • cl.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • id.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • in.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • co.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • ph.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • nz.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • ve.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • ar.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • fi.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • th.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • sg.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • ch.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • at.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • za.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • cn.search.yahoo.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.112.8
  • www.google-analytics.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.101
  • google-analytics.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.101
  • ad-emea.doubleclick.net.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.101
  • www.statcounter.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.101
  • connect.facebook.net.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.101
  • platform.twitter.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.101
  • www.google-analytics.com.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.101
  • ad-emea.doubleclick.net.={BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.101

This backdoor attempts to open the file %System Root%\cgvi5r6i\vgdgfd.72g, which may contain shell commands.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.300
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 10.230.09
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 22 Aug 2013
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 10.231.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 22 Aug 2013

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

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as BKDR_SIMDA.HM

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\RunOnce
    • {random name} = ""%Application Data%\{random filename}.exe" opt"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
    • ConsentPromptBehaviorUser = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
    • ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
    • EnableLUA = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows
    • update = "shortcut"

Step 5

Restore this modified 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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces\{GUID}
    • From: NameServer = "8.8.8.8"
      To: NameServer = ""

Step 6

Remove these strings added by the malware/grayware/spyware in the HOSTS file

[ Learn More ]
     
    • ::1 localhost
    • 192.157.56.28 www.google-analytics.com.
    • 192.157.56.28 ad-emea.doubleclick.net.
    • 192.157.56.28 www.statcounter.com.
    • 93.115.241.27 www.google-analytics.com.
    • 93.115.241.27 ad-emea.doubleclick.net.
    • 93.115.241.27 www.statcounter.com.
"

Step 7

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 Profile%\Application Data\{random filename}.reg
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\mcp.ico
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{random folder name}\searchplugins\search.xml
  • %Desktop%\Computer.lnk
  • %User Temp%\{random filename}.sys
  • %User Temp%\{random filename}.exe
  • %User Temp%\{random filename}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{random number}.exe

Step 8

Search and delete the files detected as BKDR_SIMDA.HM

*Note: Some component files may be 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.

To stop the malware/grayware from running when certain files are opened:

For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:

  1. Right-click Start then click Search....
  2. In the Named input box, type the name of the file that was detected earlier.
  3. In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer then press Enter.
  4. Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.

For Windows Vista and Windows 7:

  1. Click Start>Computer.
  2. In the Search Computer input box, type the name of the file detected earlier, and press Enter.
  3. Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
    *Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.

Step 9

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as BKDR_SIMDA.HM. 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 10

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as BKDR_SIMDA.HM. 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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