Analysis by: RonJay Kristoffer Caragay
ALIASES:

Worm:Win32/Gamarue (Microsoft); Backdoor.Win32.Androm.fauy (Kaspersky); Win32/TrojanDownloader.Wauchos.AF (ESET-NOD32); MSIL/Wauchos.AF!tr (Fortinet); TR/Gamarue.Lse.26 (Avira)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel: Downloaded from the Internet

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 modifies registry entries to disable various system services. This action prevents most of the system functions to be used.

It does not have any propagation routine.

It executes commands from a remote malicious user, effectively compromising the affected system.

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

It deletes itself after execution.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 52,224 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 26 Sep 2014
Payload: Connects to URLs/IPs, Downloads files, Compromises system security

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 copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %All Users Profile%\ms{random}.exe

(Note: %All Users Profile% is the All Users or Common profile folder, which is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users in Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, and C:\ProgramData in Windows Vista and 7.)

It injects itself into the following processes as part of its memory residency routine:

  • msiexec.exe
  • explorer.exe

It injects codes into the following process(es):

  • msiexec.exe

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
Explorer\Run
{random number} = "%All Users Profile%\ms{random}.exe"

Other System Modifications

This backdoor adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
Explorer
HideSCAHealth = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
Explorer
TaskbarNoNotification = "0"

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
HideSCAHealth = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
TaskbarNoNotification = "0"

It modifies the following registry entries:

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
ShowSuperHidden = "0"

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

It modifies registry entries to disable the following system services:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\wscsvc
Start = "4"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 2.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\wuauserv
Start = "4"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 2.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess
Start = "4"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 2.)

Propagation

This backdoor does not have any propagation routine.

Backdoor Routine

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

  • Download a file from C&C server and save it as %User Temp%\KB{8 random numbers}.exe
  • Download a file from C&C server and save it as %All User Profile%\ms{random number}.dat and loads it
  • Start a process
  • Uninstall itself
  • Remote command prompt

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

  • http://{BLOCKED}rverid2.ru/and/gate.php

Download Routine

This backdoor saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • %User Temp%\KB{8 random numbers}.exe ← TROJ_SHAPOUF.YPN
  • %User Temp%\KB{8 random numbers}.exe ← TSPY_KEGOTIP.LP

(Note: %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 then executes the downloaded files. As a result, malicious routines of the downloaded files are exhibited on the affected system.

Information Theft

This backdoor gathers the following data:

  • Operating system information
  • Local IP address
  • Root volume serial number

Other Details

This backdoor connects to the following URL(s) to check for an Internet connection:

  • update.microsoft.com
  • microsoft.com
  • google.com
  • bing.com
  • yahoo.com

It deletes itself after execution.

NOTES:

This backdoor checks if it is being run in Virtual environment or Emulation software. If it is being run in a Virtual environment or Emulation software, it will perform infinite sleep.

It also checks if there is a running network monitoring software in the affected machine. If found, it will also perform infinite sleep.

It does not have rootkit capabilities.

It does not exploit any vulnerability.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.700
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 11.187.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 02 Oct 2014

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

Remove malware/grayware files dropped/downloaded by BKDR_ANDROM.YPN. (Note: Please skip this step if the threats listed below have already been removed.)

    • TROJ_SHAPOUF.YPN
    • TSPY_KEGOTIP.LP

Step 4

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer
    • TaskbarNoNotification = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer
    • HideSCAHealth = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system
    • EnableLUA = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
    • TaskbarNoNotification = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
    • HideSCAHealth = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer\Run
    • {random number} = "%All Users Profile%\ms{random}.exe"

Step 6

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\wscsvc
    • From: Start = "4"
      To: Start = 2
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv
    • From: Start = "4"
      To: Start = 2
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess
    • From: Start = "4"
      To: Start = 2
  • 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: ShowSuperHidden = "0"
      To: ShowSuperHidden = 1

Step 7

Search and delete these files

[ 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 Temp%\KB{8 random numbers}.exe
  • %All User Profile%\ms{random number}.dat
  • %All Users Profile%\ms{random}.exe

Step 8

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