Analysis by: Cris Nowell Pantanilla

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Worm

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

This worm 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 the downloaded files. As a result, malicious routines of the downloaded files are exhibited on the affected system.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 367,104 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 28 Aug 2012
Payload: Connects to URLs/IPs, Drops files

Arrival Details

This worm 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 worm drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %System%\mplayer2.exe

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)

Autostart Technique

This worm adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
mp = "%System%\Mplayer2.exe"

Other System Modifications

This worm adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Download
RunInvalidSignatures = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Associations
LowRiskFileTypes = ".exe;.bat;.com;.cmd;"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Attachments
SaveZoneInformation = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
UACDisableNotify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
AutoUpdateDisableNotify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
InternetSettingsDisableNotify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
UpdatesOverride = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center\Svc
UACDisableNotify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center\Svc
AntiVirusDisableNotify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center\Svc
FirewallDisableNotify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center\Svc
AntiVirusOverride = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center\Svc
FirewallOverride = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center\Svc
UpdatesDisableNotify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center\Svc
UpdatesOverride = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
system
EnableLUA = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Microsoft\MRT
DontReportInfectionInformation = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows Defender
DisableAntiSpyware = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
EXT\CLSID
{7950420A-108E-4523-816D-7726B0D38BEC} = "0"

It adds the following registry keys as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\Beholder.exe

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\NatGat_.exe

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\Nicrosoft.exe

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\regss.exe

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{7950420A-108E-4523-816D-7726B0D38BEC}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Beholder

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MSDOS

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center\Svc

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{7950420A-108E-4523-816D-7726B0D38BEC}

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Download
CheckExeSignatures = "no"

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Hidden = "2"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is "1".)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
HideFileExt = "1"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is "0".)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
AntiVirusDisableNotify = "1"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is "0".)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
FirewallDisableNotify = "1"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is "0".)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
UpdatesDisableNotify = "1"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is "0".)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
UpdatesDisableNotify = "1"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is "0".)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
AntiVirusOverride = "1"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is "0".)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
FirewallOverride = "1"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is "0".)

Dropping Routine

This worm drops the following files:

  • %System%\mac.cpl
  • %System%\rEvents.dll

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)

Download Routine

This worm accesses the following websites to download files:

  • http://{BLOCKED}trol.com.br/blog/images/mde.rar
  • http://{BLOCKED}trol.com.br/blog/images/Geral.rar
  • http://{BLOCKED}v.su/wp-admin/css/new/EAS.rar

It then executes the downloaded files. As a result, malicious routines of the downloaded files are exhibited on the affected system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 9.358.04
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 28 Aug 2012

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 WORM_RUCTO.BH

Step 3

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 4

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Download
    • From: CheckExeSignatures = "no"
      To: CheckExeSignatures = "yes"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
    • From: Hidden = "2"
      To: Hidden = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
    • From: HideFileExt = "1"
      To: HideFileExt = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center
    • From: AntiVirusDisableNotify = "1"
      To: AntiVirusDisableNotify = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center
    • From: FirewallDisableNotify = "1"
      To: FirewallDisableNotify = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center
    • From: UpdatesDisableNotify = "1"
      To: UpdatesDisableNotify = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center
    • From: AntiVirusOverride = "1"
      To: AntiVirusOverride = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center
    • From: FirewallOverride = "1"
      To: FirewallOverride = "0"

Step 5

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_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications
    • Beholder.exe
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications
    • NatGat_.exe
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications
    • Nicrosoft.exe
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications
    • regss.exe
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {7950420A-108E-4523-816D-7726B0D38BEC}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • Beholder
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • MSDOS
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
    • AppCompatFlags
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center
    • Svc
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects
    • {7950420A-108E-4523-816D-7726B0D38BEC}

Step 6

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
    • mp = "%System%\Mplayer2.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Download
    • RunInvalidSignatures = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Associations
    • LowRiskFileTypes = ".exe;.bat;.com;.cmd;"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments
    • SaveZoneInformation = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center
    • UACDisableNotify = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center
    • AutoUpdateDisableNotify = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center
    • InternetSettingsDisableNotify = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center
    • UpdatesOverride = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center\Svc
    • UACDisableNotify = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center\Svc
    • AntiVirusDisableNotify = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center\Svc
    • FirewallDisableNotify = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center\Svc
    • AntiVirusOverride = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center\Svc
    • FirewallOverride = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center\Svc
    • UpdatesDisableNotify = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center\Svc
    • UpdatesOverride = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\EXT\CLSID
    • {7950420A-108E-4523-816D-7726B0D38BEC} = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system
    • EnableLUA = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MRT
    • DontReportInfectionInformation = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
    • DisableAntiSpyware = "1"

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. %System%\mac.cpl
%System%\rEvents.dll

Step 8

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