Analysis by: Roland Marco Dela Paz
ALIASES:

Microsoft : TrojanProxy:Win32/Ranky.gen!B; Mcafee : Downloader-AWM.gen.q

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This backdoor may be dropped by other malware. It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

It opens random ports. It connects to a website to send and receive information.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: Varies
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 05 Mar 2011

Arrival Details

This backdoor may be dropped by other malware.

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

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\Run
Advanced HTTPL Enable = {malware path and file name}

Backdoor Routine

This backdoor opens a random port to allow a remote user to connect to the affected system. Once a successful connection is established, the remote user executes commands on the affected system.

It connects to the following websites to send and receive information:

  • {BLOCKED}8.alwaysproxy8.info

NOTES:
As of writing, there is no reply from the C&C server.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 8.900

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_OLEVAP.A

[ 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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\Windows\CURRENTVERSION\Run
    • Advanced HTTPL Enable = {malware path and file name}

Step 4

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as BKDR_OLEVAP.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 this Knowledge Base page for more information.


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