Analysis by: Nikko Tamana
ALIASES:

W32/Distrack!tr (Fortinet), Ransom:Win32/Distrack.A!MSR (Microsoft), a variant of Win32/KillDisk.NBW trojan (NOD32), Troj/ZeroClr-A (Sophos)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Trojan arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites. It arrives as a component bundled with malware/grayware packages.

It requires being executed with a specific argument/parameter, an additional component, or in a specific environment in order to proceed with its intended routine.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 332,288 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 05 Dec 2019

Arrival Details

This Trojan arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

It arrives as a component bundled with malware/grayware packages.

Installation

This Trojan adds the following processes:

  • /u /c sc create soydsk type = kernel start= demand binPath= "{Malware File Path}"
  • /u /c sc start soydsk
  • %System%\cmd.exe sc create soydsk type = kernel start= demand binPath= "{Malware File Path}"
  • %System%\cmd.exe sc start soydsk

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

Autostart Technique

This Trojan registers itself as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup by adding the following registry entries:

HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
services\soydsk
ImagePath = {Malware File Path}

Other Details

This Trojan requires being executed with a specific argument/parameter, an additional component, or in a specific environment in order to proceed with its intended routine.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.850
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 15.564.04
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 17 Dec 2019
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 15.565.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 18 Dec 2019

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 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

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.

 
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services
    • soydsk

Step 4

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Trojan.Win64.ZEROCLEARE.A. 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 the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:


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