Analysis by: Lord Alfred Remorin
ALIASES:

Backdoor:Win32/Swami.A (Microsoft), Trojan.Gen.2 (Symantec)

 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

Infection Channel: Dropped by other malware

This backdoor may be dropped by other malware.

As of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 90,112 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 11 Aug 2012
Payload: Connects to URLs/IPs

Arrival Details

This backdoor may be dropped by the following malware:

  • TROJ_ARTIEF.TIB

Installation

This backdoor drops and executes the following files:

  • %Application Data%\SVCH0ST.exe - also detected as BKDR_SWAMI.A

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista and 7.)

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
SysUpdate = "%Application Data%\SVCH0ST.exe"

Download Routine

This backdoor connects to the following website(s) to download and execute a malicious file:

  • http://dplcoopsociety.us.{BLOCKED}u.com/im/linux.php
  • http://dplcoopsociety.us.{BLOCKED}u.com/im/solaris.php
  • http://dplcoopsociety.us.{BLOCKED}u.com/im/freebsd.php

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • %Application Data%\syswmi.exe

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista and 7.)

As of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 9.318.02
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 13 Aug 2012
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 9.319.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 13 Aug 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

Remove malware files dropped/downloaded by BKDR_SWAMI.TIB

Step 3

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • SysUpdate = "%Application Data%\SVCH0ST.exe"

Step 5

Search and delete this file

[ Learn More ]
There may be some component 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%\SVCH0ST.exe
  • %Application Data%\syswmi.exe

Step 6

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

Step 7

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as BKDR_SWAMI.TIB. 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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