Arrival Details
This backdoor arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users.
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 backdoor drops the following files:
- %User Profile%\Application Data\{random}.reg
- %User Profile%\Application Data\mcp.ico
- %User Profile%\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{random}\searchplugins\search.xml
- %Desktop%\Computer.lnk
- %User Temp%\{random}.sys - encrypted
- %User Temp%\{random}-{random}.exe - detected as TSPY_SIMDA.SUS
- %User Temp%\{random number}.tmp - detected as TROJ_SIMDA.SU
- %User Temp%\{random}.exe - detected as TROJ_SIMDA.SUSF
(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 desktop folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Desktop in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop in 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.. %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 the following copies of itself into the affected system:
- %User Profile%\Application Data\ScanDisc.exe
- %User Profile%\Application Data\{random}.exe
- %User Temp%\{Random Number}.tmp
(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.. %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 executes then deletes itself afterward.
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\RunOnce
{random name} = "%User Profile%\Application Data\{random name}.exe"
Other System Modifications
This backdoor adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin = "0"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
ConsentPromptBehaviorUser = "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 websites to send and receive information:
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.116.81
- report.{pseudorandom}.com
- update.{pseudorandom}.com
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.196.94
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.173.222
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.176.187
However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
Download Routine
This backdoor connects to the following website(s) to download and execute a malicious file:
- http://update1.{BLOCKED}erlrcn.com/?abbr=RTK&action=download&setupType=umx&setupFileName=process_64.exe
- http://update1.{BLOCKED}ring.com/update_c1eec.exe
As of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
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
- bing.com
- findgala.com
- ad-emea.doubleclick.net
- statcounter.com
- ::1 localhost
- au.bing.com : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
- ca.bing.com : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
- dk.bing.com : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
- gb.bing.com : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
- google.at : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
- google.be : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.148
- google.ca : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.152
- google.ch : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.155
- google.co.in : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
- google.co.jp : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
- google.co.nz : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
- google.co.uk : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
- google.co.za : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
- google.com : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
- google.com.ar : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}..87.103
- google.com.au : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}..87.104
- google.com.br : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}..87.109
- google.com.tr : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}..87.103
- google.cz : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
- google.de : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.160
- google.dk : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.123
- google.es : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
- google.fi : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
- google.fr : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.154
- google.gr : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
- google.hu : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
- google.ie : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.170
- google.it : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.173
- google.nl : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
- google.no : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
- google.pl : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
- google.pt : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
- google.ro : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
- google.se : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.103
- gr.bing.com : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
- ir.bing.com : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
- it.bing.com : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
- pt.bing.com : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
- ro.bing.com : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
- www.bing.com : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.68.97
- www.google.at : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
- www.google.be : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.149
- www.google.ca : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.153
- www.google.ch : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.158
- www.google.co.in : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
- www.google.co.jp : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
- www.google.co.nz : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
- www.google.co.uk : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
- www.google.co.za : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
- www.google.com : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.99
- www.google.com.ar : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
- www.google.com.au : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
- www.google.com.br : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.150
- www.google.com.tr : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
- www.google.cz : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
- www.google.de : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.161
- www.google.dk : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.160
- www.google.es : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
- www.google.fi : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
- www.google.fr : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.134
- www.google.gr : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
- www.google.hu : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
- www.google.ie : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.177
- www.google.it : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
- www.google.nl : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
- www.google.no : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
- www.google.pl : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
- www.google.pt : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
- www.google.ro : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
- www.google.se : {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.87.147
Information Theft
This backdoor gathers the following data:
- Windows Install Date
- Volume Information
- Language Information
- Computer Name
- Network Adapter
- SusClientId
- Product Id
Other Details
This backdoor checks for the presence of the following process(es):
- 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
NOTES:
This backdoor attempts to open the file %System Root%\cgvi5r6i\vgdgfd.72g, which may contain shell commands.
It redirects the following sites when accessed to a designated malware vector:
It checks for the existence of the following registry keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\CommView
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\IRIS5
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\eEye Digital Security
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\Wireshark
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
App Paths\wireshark.exe
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\ZxSniffer
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Cygwin
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Cygwin
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\B Labs\Bopup Observer
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\Bopup Observer
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\B Labs\Bopup Observer
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\Win Sniffer_is1
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Win Sniffer
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\
PEBrowseDotNETProfiler.DotNETProfiler
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\MenuOrder\Start Menu2\Programs\Debugging Tools for Windows (x86)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SDbgMsg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\MenuOrder\Start Menu2\Programs\APIS32
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Syser Soft
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\APIS32
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\APIS32
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\Oracle VM VirtualBox Guest Additions
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\VBoxGuest
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\Sandboxie
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SbieDrv
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Folder\shell\sandbox
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\*\shell\sandbox
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\SUPERAntiSpyware.com
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\SUPERAntiSpywareContextMenuExt.SASCon.1
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\SUPERAntiSpyware.com
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\ERUNT_is1
It also checks for loaded libraries:
- SBIEDLL.DLL
- SBIEDLLX.DLL
- DBGHELP.DLL
It also checks if the following information are equal:
- Computer Name = Sandbox
- User name = CurrentUser
- File name = file.exe
When a number of conditions are met, this backdoor executes in an infinite loop.
It appends the legitimate file %User Profile%\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{random}\prefs.js with user_pref(&"browser.search.selectedEngine&"http://{BLOCKED}la.com/?&uid={number}&q={searchTerms}");.
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
Remove malware/grayware files dropped/downloaded by BKDR_SIMDA.SU. (Note: Please skip this step if the threats listed below have already been removed.)
Step 3
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as BKDR_SIMDA.SU
Step 4
Restart in Safe Mode
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To restart in Safe Mode:
• For Windows 2000 users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 when you see the Starting Windows bar at the bottom of the screen.
- Choose the Safe Mode option from the Windows Advanced Options menu then press Enter.
• For Windows XP users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 after the Power-On Self Test (POST) routine is done. If the Windows Advanced Options menu does not appear, try restarting then pressing F8 several times when the POST screen appears.
- Choose the Safe Mode option from the Windows Advanced Options menu then press Enter.
• For Windows Server 2003 users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 after Windows starts up. If the Windows Advanced Options menu does not appear, try restarting again and pressing F8 several times afterward.
- On the Windows Advanced Option menu, use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode then press Enter.
• For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 after the Power-On Self Test (POST) routine is done. If the Advanced Boot Options menu does not appear, try restarting and then pressing F8 several times after the POST screen is displayed.
- On the Advanced Boot Options menu, use the arrow keys to select the Safe Mode option, and then press Enter.
• For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users
- Access the Charms bar by moving your mouse pointer to the upper right corner of the screen.
- Move your mouse pointer down and click Settings>Change your PC Settings.
- In the left panel, click General.
- In the right panel, scroll down to the bottom to find the Advanced startup section, then click the Restart now button and wait for the system to restart.
- In the Advanced Startup menu, click Troubleshoot>Advanced Options>Startup Settings>Restart and wait for the system to restart.
- In the Startup Settings menu, press 4 to enable safe mode.
Step 5
Delete this registry value
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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} = "%User Profile%\Application Data\{random name}.exe"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
- ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin = "0"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
- ConsentPromptBehaviorUser = "0"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows
To delete the registry value this malware/grayware created:
- Open Registry Editor.
» For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 users, click Start>Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter.
» For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users, click the Start button, type regedit in the Search input field then press Enter.
» For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower-left corner of the screen, click Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter. - In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>RunOnce - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
{random name} = "%User Profile%\Application Data\{random name}.exe" - In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Policies>System - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin = "0" - Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
ConsentPromptBehaviorUser = "0" - Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
EnableLUA = "0" - In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>Software>Microsoft>Windows - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
update = "shortcut" - Close Registry Editor.
Step 6
Restore this modified registry value
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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 = ""
To restore the registry value this malware/grayware modified:
- Open Registry Editor.
» For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 users, click Start>Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter.
» For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users, click the Start button, type regedit in the Search input field then press Enter.
» For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter. - In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SYSTEM>CurrentControlSet>Services>Tcpip>Parameters>Interfaces>{GUID} - In the right panel, locate the registry value:
NameServer = "8.8.8.8" - Right-click on the value name and choose Modify. Change the value data of this entry to:
NameServer = "" - Close Registry Editor.
Step 8
Search and delete this file
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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\mcp.ico
- %User Profile%\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{random}\searchplugins\search.xml
- %Desktop%\Computer.lnk
To manually delete a malware/grayware file from an affected system:
• For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:
- Right-click Start then click Search....
- In the File name* input box, type the following:
- %User Profile%\Application Data\mcp.ico
- %User Profile%\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{random}\searchplugins\search.xml
- %Desktop%\Computer.lnk
- In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer then press Enter.
- Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
*Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).
• For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:
- Open a Windows Explorer window.
- For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
- For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, then click File Explorer.
- In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
- %User Profile%\Application Data\mcp.ico
- %User Profile%\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{random}\searchplugins\search.xml
- %Desktop%\Computer.lnk
- 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.SU. 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.
NOTES:
Note: Before proceeding to Step 9, do the following to remove the strings added by the malware/grayware/spyware in the file %User Profile%\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{random}\prefs.js file:
- Open the file %User Profile%\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{random}\prefs.js using a text editor such as Notepad.
- Find and delete the following entry:
user_pref(&"browser.search.selectedEngine&"http://{BLOCKED}la.com/?&uid={number}&q={searchTerms}");
- Save the file then close the text editor.
