Analysis by: Michael Cabel

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This backdoor is the dropped file of TROJ_ARTIEF.AEB, which leverages the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il.

To get a one-glance comprehensive view of the behavior of this Backdoor, refer to the Threat Diagram shown below.

It connects to specific URL(s) to send and receive commands from a remote malicious user. In turn, this compromises system security.

This backdoor may be dropped by other malware.

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

It deletes the initially executed copy of itself.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

Ports: TCP port 8000 (iRDMI)
File Size: 117,249 bytes
File Type: PE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 19 Dec 2011
Payload: Compromises system security

Arrival Details

This backdoor may be dropped by the following malware:

  • TROJ_ARTIEF.AEB

Installation

This backdoor drops the following component file(s):

  • %Windows%\comres.dll - also detected as BKDR_PCCLIEN.BQD

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows or C:\WINNT.)

It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %User Temp%\{Random Numbers}

(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.)

Backdoor Routine

This backdoor opens the following port(s) where it listens for remote commands:

  • TCP port 8000

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

  • cdpcp.{BLOCKED}u.com

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

Other Details

This backdoor deletes the initially executed copy of itself

NOTES:

This backdoor may be instructed by the remote malicious user to download possibly malicious files.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 8.654.10
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 19 Dec 2011
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 8.655.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 20 Dec 2011

Step 1

For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.

Step 2

Remove the malware/grayware file that dropped/downloaded BKDR_PCCLIEN.BQD

Step 3

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