Analysis by: Sabrina Lei Sioting
ALIASES:

Backdoor:Win32/Poison.E (Microsoft), Trojan-Dropper.Win32.Injector.fctw (Kaspersky), Backdoor.Darkmoon!gen6 (Symantec), BackDoor-DKI.gen.cz (McAfee), W32/POISON.HNUS!tr.bdr (Fortinet), Backdoor.Win32.Poison (Ikarus),

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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 connects to a website to send and receive information.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 36,864 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 12 Jun 2012

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.

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
Google LiveUpdates = "%System%:GoogleLive.exe"

Backdoor Routine

This backdoor connects to the following websites to send and receive information:

  • {BLOCKED}rn.com

NOTES:

This backdoor creates an Alternate Data Stream (ADS) copy of itself:

  • %System%:GoogleLive.exe

This routine allows this backdoor to hide itself from detection. It also allows it to execute whenever the Windows system folder is accessed.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 9.188.05
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 12 Jun 2012
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 9.189.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 12 Jun 2012

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

Using Trend Micro Rootkit Buster

RootkitBuster is a rootkit scanner that can check through hidden files, registry entries, processes, drivers, and hooked system services.

To use this tool, do the following:

  1. Download the tool from the following link and extract it to a temporary folder:
    https://www.trendmicro.com/download/rbuster.asp
  2. Run the RootkitBuster.exe file.
  3. On the upper left corner, select the types of hidden items that you wish to scan. We recommend selecting all types.
  4. Click the Scan button.
  5. The system is infected by this malware if the Scan result is similar to the image below:

    rootkitbuster

Step 3

Terminate the malware/grayware/spyware process:

[ Learn More ]
  • For Windows 98 and ME users, 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.
  • 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.
  • If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

    • Step 4

    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
      • Google LiveUpdates = "%System%:GoogleLive.exe"

    Step 5

    Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as BKDR_POISON.HNUS. 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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