Analysis by: Karl Dominguez
 Modified by: Kathleen Notario

ALIASES:

Backdoor:Win32/Cycbot.B (Microsoft; Backdoor.Cycbot!gen3 (Norton); BackDoor-EXI.gen.i (NAI)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

This backdoor may be downloaded by other malware/grayware/spyware from remote sites. It may be dropped by other malware. It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

It does not have any propagation routine.

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: Varies
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 24 May 2011
Payload: Connects to URLs/IPs

Arrival Details

This backdoor may be downloaded by other malware/grayware/spyware from remote sites.

It may be dropped by other malware.

It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

Installation

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

  • %Application Data%\dwm.exe
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\conhost.exe

(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.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %User Profile%\Application Data\B0B2D
  • %Program Files%\2D6E3
  • %Program Files%\LP
  • %Program Files%\LP\7CCB

(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.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (64-bit).)

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Shell = "explorer.exe,%Application Data%\dwm.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
conhost = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\conhost.exe"

Other System Modifications

This backdoor adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
ProxyServer = "http=127.0.0.1:{random numbers}"

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Hardware Profiles\0001\Software\
Microsoft\windows\CurrentVersion\
Internet Settings
ProxyEnable = "1"

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Hardware Profiles\Current\Software\
Microsoft\windows\CurrentVersion\
Internet Settings
ProxyEnable = "1"

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

HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG\Software\Microsoft\
windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
ProxyEnable = "1"

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

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

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
ProxyEnable = "1"

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

Propagation

This backdoor does not have any propagation routine.

Backdoor Routine

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

  • {BLOCKED}onlinecatalog.com
  • {BLOCKED}topmusiconline.com
  • {BLOCKED}ratemilkandtee.com
  • {BLOCKED}speeddbsearch.com
  • {BLOCKED}logsourcecodes.com
  • {BLOCKED}legamesonlines.com
  • {BLOCKED}nebackuostore4you.com
  • {BLOCKED}useyescat.com
  • {BLOCKED}roskopia.com
  • {BLOCKED}whoisdb.com
  • {BLOCKED}rogrammingshool.com
  • {BLOCKED}secureonline.com
  • {BLOCKED}ukaclubonline.com
  • {BLOCKED}idioz.com
  • {BLOCKED}ybigtit.com
  • {BLOCKED}storepro.com
  • {BLOCKED}dmeroster.com
  • {BLOCKED}tazone.com
  • {BLOCKED}torefor.com
  • {BLOCKED}torepro.com
  • {BLOCKED}epdahelpforyou.com
  • {BLOCKED}kreddomas.com
  • {BLOCKED}fersakkonline.com
  • {BLOCKED}pdomaintolevel.com
  • {BLOCKED}oyoustudios.com
  • {BLOCKED}lkhypnocrys.com
  • {BLOCKED}ats.com

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

Process Termination

This backdoor terminates processes or services that contain any of the following strings if found running in the affected system's memory:

  • avgnt.exe
  • Avira*
  • ccsvchst.exe
  • Norton*
  • Symantec*
  • AvastUI.exe
  • Alwil Software*
  • Avast*
  • mcagent.exe
  • McAfee*
  • avira
  • norton
  • avast
  • mcafee
  • bitdef
  • kasper
  • drweb
  • nod32
  • AVGIDSAgent.exe
  • avgwdsvc.exe

Dropping Routine

This backdoor drops the following files wherein it saves the information it gathers:

  • %Application Data%\9EAE.6BA
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\B0B2D\D6E3.0B2

(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 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.)

Other Details

This backdoor connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}eafdesign.com/blog/images/share/facebook.png
  • http://{BLOCKED}eafdesign.com/blog/images/share/stumble.png
  • http://{BLOCKED}o.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/web-20-what-is-300x251.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}ar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=f2a3889aff6fc9711a3cbcfe64067be1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=f2a3889aff6fc9711a3cbcfe64067be2
  • http://{BLOCKED}erbalteaonline.com/images/greenherbalteagirlholdingcup250.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}erbalteaonline.com/images/greenherbalteagirlholdingcup350.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}ylifenow.com/templates/7348/images/header_logo.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}ylifenow.com/templates/7349/images/header_logo.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}dandbarrett.com/images/footer/account.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}dandbarrett.com/images/footer/account.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}segreenteaonline.com/assets/images/greentea-cha-1.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}segreenteaonline.com/assets/images/greentea-cha-2.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}opaganda.net/blog/pics/3321.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}opaganda.net/blog/pics/3322.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}rom.at/polytheism/pictures/TanzenderShiva.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}sautoelectric.com/images/50-217-1_F_1_.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}sautoelectric.com/images/50-217-1_F_2_.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}bizdirectory.com/images/PowerHideBanner.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}bizdirectory.com/images/PowerShowBanner.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}datingsecretfriends.com/images/im133.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}datingsecretfriends.com/images/im134.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}institute.com/g7/images/logo.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}institute.com/g7/images/logo2.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}institute.com/g7/images/logo3.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}institute.com/g7/images/logo4.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}om/img/icons/facebook.png
  • http://{BLOCKED}om/img/icons/twitter.png
  • http://{BLOCKED}ftwaredevelopment.com/WindowsLiveWriter/web-2_0_thumb_1.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}ts.com/images/logo.pn
  • http://{BLOCKED}enewworldorder.com/images/pages.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}mtonschools.org/images/ace/1/ace_1101278014_1314729789.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}mtonschools.org/images/297893.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}mtonschools.org/images/297894.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}cationalsoftware.com/credi cardlogos.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}ucationalsoftware.com/creditcard.png
  • http://{BLOCKED}cationalsoftware.com/creditcard2.png
  • http://{BLOCKED}genius.com/temp/head.png
  • http://{BLOCKED}tgenius.com/132.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}tgenius.com/133.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}wnload3.com/screenshot/4/s/89_3276.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}load3.com/screenshot/4/s/89_3277.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}wnload3.com/screenshot/4/s/89_3278.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}analyst.com/png/intel.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}analyst.com/png/intel.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}nalyst.com/12.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}intsboard.com/complaints/logo.png
  • http://{BLOCKED}aintsboard.com/complaints/zip.png
  • http://{BLOCKED}intsboard.com/complaints/rar.png
  • http://{BLOCKED}edinternetlosangeles.webnode.com/news/1.cgi
  • http://{BLOCKED}edinternetlosangeles.webnode.com/news/1.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}eedinternetlosangeles.webnode.com news/2.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}ldorderreport.com/favicon.ico
  • http://{BLOCKED}ldorderreport.com/img/3421.png
  • http://{BLOCKED}rldorderreport.com/img/3422.png
  • http://{BLOCKED}henewworldorder.com/images/pages.png
  • http://cdn.{BLOCKED}ofdeception.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/frame6.png
  • http://cdn.{BLOCKED}ofdeception.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/frame7.png
  • http://cdn.{BLOCKED}ofdeception.com/logo.png

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

NOTES:

Acts as a proxy server to intercept requests of Internet browsers and point them to the proxy server on the port on its added registry.

Monitors Internet browser's activity to check for the following strings related to popular websites such as search engines and social networking sites to intercept information:

  • .2mdn.
  • .abmr.
  • .adtechus.
  • .aol.
  • .atdmt.
  • .atwola.
  • .autodatadirect.
  • .bing.net
  • .dartsearch.
  • .doubleclick.
  • .ggpht.
  • .google
  • .ivwbox.
  • .mapquestapi.
  • .microsoft.
  • .opera.
  • .tacoda.
  • .thawte.
  • .tlowdb.
  • .truveo.
  • .virtualearth.
  • .wsod.
  • .yimg.com
  • .ypcdn.
  • amazon.
  • aol/search
  • aolcdn.
  • aolsvc.
  • bing.com
  • bing.com/search
  • blogger
  • brightcove.com
  • doubleclick.
  • ebay.
  • facebook.
  • flickr
  • google-analytics.
  • google.
  • googlesyndication.
  • googleusercontent.
  • gstatic.
  • imdb.
  • mapq.st
  • scorecardresearch.com
  • search.aol.
  • search.yahoo.com/search
  • searcht2.aol.
  • suche.aol.
  • twitter.
  • wikimedia.
  • wikipedia.
  • yahoo.
  • yahoo.com
  • youtube.
  • ytimg.
  • /complete/search
  • /gen_204
  • /images
  • /imglanding
  • ?query=
  • &&&&query=

Monitors the address bar of Web broswers and redirect to other pages if the address contains any of the following strings:

  • Avast
  • Avira
  • Dr.Web
  • Kaspersky
  • McAfee
  • ESET NOD32
  • Norton
  • BitDefender

This malware does not have rootkit capabilities.

This malware does not exploit any vulnerability.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 8.175.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 24 May 2011

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

Identify and terminate files detected as BKDR_CYCBOT.SMA

[ Learn More ]
  1. Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
  2. If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

Step 3

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 NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
    • Shell = "explorer.exe,%Application Data%\dwm.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • conhost = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\conhost.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • ProxyServer = "http=127.0.0.1:{random numbers}"

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Hardware Profiles\0001\Software\Microsoft\windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • From: ProxyEnable = "1"
      To: ProxyEnable = "0
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Hardware Profiles\Current\Software\Microsoft\windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • From: ProxyEnable = "1"
      To: ProxyEnable = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG\Software\Microsoft\windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • From: ProxyEnable = "1"
      To: ProxyEnable = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender
    • From: DisableAntiSpyware = "1"
      To: DisableAntiSpyware = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • From: ProxyEnable = "1"
      To: ProxyEnable = "0"

Step 5

Search and delete these folders

[ Learn More ]
Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden folders in the search result.
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\B0B2D
  • %Program Files%\2D6E3
  • %Program Files%\LP

Step 6

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.
  • %Application Data%\9EAE.6BA
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\B0B2D\D6E3.0B2

Step 7

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as BKDR_CYCBOT.SMA. 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.


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.

Related Malware