Analysis by: Warren Adam Sto. Tomas

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

This Trojan 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: 115,712 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 24 Mar 2017
Payload: Modifies system registry

Arrival Details

This Trojan 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 Trojan drops the following files:

  • %System%\Tasks\{random task name} ← scheduled task for dropped BKDR_DARKNEURON.A
  • {Malware path}\Interop.TaskScheduler.dll
  • {Malware path}\System.Web.Helpers.dll
  • {Random folder path}\{random name}-x86-ui.exe ← detected as BKDR_DARKNEURON.A
  • {Random folder path}\System.Web.Helpers.dll

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry keys:

"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\{main random registry key}" or "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\
SOFTWARE\{main random registry key}"
{Default} = {Default}

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Control\Windows
EnvironmentAdditionalSet = “1”

NOTES:

Before it drops BKDR_DARKNEURON.A, it searches for directories with the following conditions:

  • The directory must be in any of the following folders:
    • %ProgramData%
    • %AppDataLocal%
    • %Application Data%
  • The directory must contain any of the following strings:
    • firefox
    • chrome
    • opera
    • abby
    • mozilla
    • google
    • hewlet
    • epson
    • xerox
    • ricoh
    • adobe
    • corel
    • java
    • nvidia
    • realtek
    • oracle
    • winrar
    • 7zip
    • vmware
    • juniper
    • kaspersky
    • mcafee
    • symantec
    • yahoo
    • goog

The directory where BKDR_DARKNEURON.A and System.Web.Helpers.dll will dropped will be randomly chosen from the directories that matched the conditions.

It searches for registry keys to be used in creating the random registry entries. These keys must match the following conditions:

It is under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft

The registry key must be under a registry key that contains any of the following strings:

  • windows
  • microsoft
  • .net
  • visual
  • studio
  • internet
  • powershell
  • policy
  • wifi
  • framework
  • player
  • fusion
  • settings
  • crypto
  • mmc
  • multimedia
  • snapshot
  • office
  • provisioning
  • direct
  • chkdsk
  • ldap

The registry entries will be randomly chosen from those that matched the conditions.

Additional details about the registry entries created:

  • The number of registry entries attempted to create is randomly chosen between 500 to 1000.
  • The created registry entries will all be under {main random registry key} where {main random registry key} depends on the directory where BKDR_DARKNEURON.A was dropped.
  • There will be a registry entry that contains an encrypted config data.

If the malware failed to create a scheduled task located in %System%\Tasks directory, it will create folders located in the mentioned directory and will randomly drop a scheduled task in one of the folders. The folders created are similar to the registry keys created.

It is capable of uninstalling itself.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.850
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 13.296.06
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 24 Mar 2017
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 13.297.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 25 Mar 2017

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

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

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.
  • %System%\Tasks\{random name}
  • {Malware path}\Interop.TaskScheduler.dll
  • {Malware path}\System.Web.Helpers.dll
  • {Random folder path}\{random name}-x86-ui.exe
  • {Random folder path}\System.Web.Helpers.dll

Step 4

Delete this registry key

[ 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.

  • "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\{main random registry key}" or "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\
  • SOFTWARE\{main random registry key}"

Step 5

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Windows
    • EnvironmentAdditionalSet = “1”

Step 6

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