Analysis by: Arvin Roi Macaraeg
ALIASES:

HEUR:Trojan-Ransom.MSIL.Blocker.gen (Kaspersky); a variant of MSIL/Kryptik.SLQ trojan(NOD32)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan Spy

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

This Trojan Spy 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: 525,312 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 15 Aug 2019
Payload: Connects to URLs/IPs, Drops files

Arrival Details

This Trojan Spy 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 Spy adds the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}

(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).)

It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %Application Data%\{random characters}.exe -> deletes after execution

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It adds the following processes:

  • "%System%\cmd.exe" /C type nul > "{malware path}\{malware filename}.exe:Zone.Identifier"
  • "%System%\cmd.exe" /c copy "{malware path}\{malware filename}.exe" "%Application Data%\{random characters}.exe"
  • "%System%\cmd.exe" /c %System%\timeout.exe 3 & del "{random characters}.exe"

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.. %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{random characters} = %Application Data%\{random characters}.exe -boot

Dropping Routine

This Trojan Spy drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-console-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-datetime-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-debug-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-errorhandling-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-file-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-file-l1-2-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-file-l2-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-handle-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-heap-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-interlocked-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-libraryloader-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-localization-l1-2-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-memory-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-namedpipe-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-processenvironment-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-processthreads-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-processthreads-l1-1-1.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-profile-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-rtlsupport-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-string-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-synch-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-synch-l1-2-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-sysinfo-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-timezone-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-util-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-conio-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-convert-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-environment-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-filesystem-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-heap-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-locale-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-math-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-multibyte-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-private-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-process-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-stdio-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-string-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-time-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-utility-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\freebl3.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\mozglue.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\msvcp140.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\nss3.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\nssdbm3.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\softokn3.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\ucrtbase.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\vcruntime140.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random numbers}.tmp

(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).)

Other Details

This Trojan Spy connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://www.lakeshoreinte{BLOCKED}.com/imgs/index.php

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.850
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 15.300.04
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 15 Aug 2019
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 15.301.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 16 Aug 2019

Step 1

Trend Micro products with the XGen technology detect this malware as

[ Learn More ]
  • Troj.Win32.TRX.XXPE50FFF031

Step 2

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 3

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 4

Identify and terminate files detected as TrojanSpy.Win32.AZORULT.JPA

[ Learn More ]
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

Step 5

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
    • {random characters} = %Application Data%\{random characters}.exe -boot

Step 6

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%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-console-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-datetime-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-debug-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-errorhandling-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-file-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-file-l1-2-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-file-l2-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-handle-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-heap-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-interlocked-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-libraryloader-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-localization-l1-2-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-memory-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-namedpipe-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-processenvironment-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-processthreads-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-processthreads-l1-1-1.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-profile-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-rtlsupport-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-string-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-synch-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-synch-l1-2-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-sysinfo-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-timezone-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-core-util-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-conio-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-convert-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-environment-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-filesystem-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-heap-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-locale-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-math-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-multibyte-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-private-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-process-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-stdio-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-string-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-time-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\api-ms-win-crt-utility-l1-1-0.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\freebl3.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\mozglue.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\msvcp140.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\nss3.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\nssdbm3.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\softokn3.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\ucrtbase.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}\vcruntime140.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random numbers}.tmp

Step 7

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.
  • %User Temp%\{random 4 characters}

Step 8

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TrojanSpy.Win32.AZORULT.JPA. 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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