Analysis by: Noel Anthony Llimos
 Modified by: Paul Steven Nadera

ALIASES:

HackTool:MSIL/AutoKMS (Microsoft); HackTool.MSIL.KMSAuto.dh (Kaspersky)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Hacking Tool

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

This Hacking Tool arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 745,664 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 06 Feb 2019
Payload: Drops files, Connects to URLs/IPs

Arrival Details

This Hacking Tool arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

Installation

This Hacking Tool adds the following folders:

  • {hacktool path}\logs

It drops the following files:

  • {hacktool path}\logs\{hacktool filename}.log -> contains activity log
  • {hacktool path}\DM.bin

Other System Modifications

This Hacking Tool modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
PaintDesktopVersion = 0

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)

Other Details

This Hacking Tool connects to the following URL(s) to check for an Internet connection:

  • 8.8.8.8
  • www.google.com

It does the following:

  • Capable of activating the following software:
    • Microsoft Office 2010
    • Microsoft Office 2013
    • Microsoft Office 2016
    • Windows XP
    • Windows Vista
    • Windows 7
    • Windows 8
    • Windows 8.1
    • Windows 10
    • Windows Server
  • Uses the following host servers for activation:
    • kms.{BLOCKED}oy.ir:1688
    • zh.{BLOCKED}s.to:1688
    • skms.{BLOCKED}s.net:1688
    • 110.{BLOCKED}p.me:1688
    • 3rss.{BLOCKED}p.net:20439

It accepts the following parameters:

  • /silent : Run in Silent Mode
  • /backup : Make a tokens backup
  • /status : Check current activation status
  • /removewatermark : Remove watermark in previews editions
  • /restorewatermark : Remove watermark in previews editions
  • /?: display Help message

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
SSAPI PATTERN File: 2.147.00
SSAPI PATTERN Date: 14 Feb 2019

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.

Step 2

Note that not all files, folders, and registry keys and entries are installed on your computer during this malware's/spyware's/grayware's execution. This may be due to incomplete installation or other operating system conditions. If you do not find the same files/folders/registry information, please proceed to the next step.

Step 3

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_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
    • PaintDesktopVersion = 1

Step 4

Search and delete this file

[ 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.
  • {hacktool path}\logs\{hacktool filename}.log
  • {hacktool path}\DM.bin

Step 5

Search and delete this folder

[ 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.
  • {hacktool path}\logs

Step 6

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as HackTool.MSIL.AutoKMS.PRK. 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 the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:


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