Analysis by: Henry Alarcon Jr.

ALIASES:

Trojan:Win32/Fuery.B!cl (Microsoft ), Backdoor.Win32.Qbot.agpv (Kaspersky)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan Spy

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • 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.

It connects to certain websites to send and receive information. It prevents users from visiting antivirus-related websites that contain specific strings.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 829,752 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Payload: Connects to URLs/IPs, Terminates processes, Steals information

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 drops the following component file(s):

  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\{random folder}\{random file name}.{random extension} ← encrypted component
  • %Windows%\Tasks\{GUID 1}.job (for Windows XP and below) ← executes the dropped copy
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\{random folder}\{random file name}.dat ← encrypted component
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\{random folder}\{random file name}32.dll ← encrypted configuration file

(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, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.. %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

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

  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\{random folder}\{random file name}.exe

(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, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

It adds the following processes:

  • %Windows%\explorer.exe

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

It creates the following folders:

  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\{random folder}

(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, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

It injects codes into the following process(es):

  • explorer.exe ← created process

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 name} = %Application Data%\Microsoft\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe"

Process Termination

This Trojan Spy terminates the following processes if found running in the affected system's memory:

  • ShellExperienceHost.exe
  • Microsoft.Notes.exe
  • windbg.exe
  • ChromeUpdate.exe
  • msdev.exe
  • dbgview.exe
  • ollydbg.exe
  • ctfmon.exe
  • Proxifier.exe
  • nav.exe

Information Theft

This Trojan Spy monitors the Internet Explorer (IE) activities of the affected system, specifically the address bar or title bar. It recreates a legitimate website with a spoofed login page if a user visits banking sites with the following strings in the address bar or title bar:

  • .hsbcnet.com
  • .ntrs.com
  • .web-access.com
  • .webcashmgmt.com
  • /achupload
  • /cashman/
  • /cashplus/
  • /clkccm/
  • /cmserver/
  • /corpach/
  • /ibws/
  • /payments/ach
  • /payments/ach
  • /stbcorp/
  • /wcmpr/
  • /wcmpw/
  • /wcmtr/
  • /wires/
  • /wiret
  • access.jpmorgan.com
  • accessmoneymanager.com
  • accessonline.abnamro.com
  • achbatchlisting
  • bankeft.com
  • blilk.com
  • businessaccess.citibank.citigroup.com
  • businessbankingcenter.synovus.com
  • business-eb.ibanking-services.com
  • business-eb.ibanking-services.com
  • businessinternetbanking.synovus.com
  • businessonline.huntington.com
  • businessonline.tdbank.com
  • cashmanageronline.bbt.com
  • cashproonline.bankofamerica.com
  • cashproonline.bankofamerica.com
  • cbs.firstcitizensonline.com
  • chsec.wellsfargo.com
  • cmol.bbt.com
  • cmoltp.bbt.com
  • commerceconnections.commercebank.com
  • commercial.bnc.ca
  • commercial.wachovia.com
  • commercial2.wachovia.com
  • commercial3.wachovia.com
  • commercial4.wachovia.com
  • corporatebanking
  • cpw-achweb.bankofamerica.com
  • ctm.53.com
  • directline4biz.com
  • directpay.wellsfargo.com
  • each.bremer.com
  • ebanking-services.com
  • ecash.arvest.com
  • e-facts.org
  • e-moneyger.com
  • express.53.com
  • firstmeritib.com
  • firstmeritib.com/defaultcorp.aspx
  • goldleafach.com
  • iachwellsprod.wellsfargo.com
  • ibc.klikbca.com
  • intellix.capitalonebank.com
  • iris.sovereignbank.com
  • itreasury.regions.com
  • itreasurypr.regions.com
  • jsp/mainWeb.jsp
  • ktt.key.com
  • moneymanagergps.com
  • netconnect.bokf.com
  • nj00-wcm
  • ocm.suntrust.com
  • olb-ebanking.com
  • onlineserv/CM
  • otm.suntrust.com
  • paylinks.cunet.org
  • paylinks.cunet.org
  • premierview.membersunited.org
  • premierview.membersunited.org
  • providentnjolb.com
  • schwabinstitutional.com
  • scotiaconnect.scotiabank.com
  • securentrycorp.amegybank.com
  • securentrycorp.zionsbank.com
  • singlepoint.usbank.com
  • svbconnect.com
  • tcfexpressbusiness.com
  • tdcommercialbanking.com
  • tdetreasury.tdbank.com
  • tmcb.amegybank.com
  • tmcb.zionsbank.com
  • tmconnectweb
  • treas-mgt.frostbank.com
  • treasury.pncbank.com
  • trz.tranzact.org
  • trz.tranzact.org
  • tssportal.jpmorgan.com
  • wc.wachovia.com
  • wcp.wachovia.com
  • web-cashplus.com
  • webexpress.tdbank.com
  • webinfoplus.mandtbank.com
  • wellsoffice.wellsfargo.com

It gathers the following data:

  • GeoIP locations
  • Browser cookies
  • Flash cookies
  • Network information
  • System information
  • FTP, POP3, IMAP, SMTP, HTTPMail, NNTP Passwords
  • Outlook login credentials
  • Private keys from system certificates
  • Login credentials for certain websites
  • Internet sessions

Other Details

This Trojan Spy connects to the following URL(s) to check for an Internet connection:

  • cnn.com
  • microsoft.com
  • baidu.com
  • facebook.com
  • yahoo.com
  • wikipedia.org
  • qq.com
  • linkedin.com
  • mail.ru

It connects to the following URL(s) to get the affected system's IP address:

  • www.ip-adress.com

It connects to the following website to send and receive information:

  • {generated domain}.(com|net|org|info|biz|org)

It does the following:

  • It deletes itself after execution then itself with a copy of %System%\calc.exe.
  • It checks for the presence of the following antivirus and security applications:
    • AvastSvc.exe
    • avgcsrva.exe
    • avgcsrvx.exe
    • avgsvcx.exe
    • avp.exe
    • bdagent.exe
    • ByteFence.exe
    • ccSvcHst.exe
    • cmdagent.exe
    • coreServiceShell.exe
    • egui.exe
    • ekrn.exe
    • fhoster32.exe
    • fmon.exe
    • isesrv.exe
    • MBAMService.exe
    • mcshield.exe
    • MsMpEng.exe
    • NTRTScan.exe
    • PccNTMon.exe
    • SAVAdminService.exe
    • SavService.exe
    • vkise.exe
    • vsserv.exe
    • vsservppl.exe
    • WRSA.exe
  • Adds the following scheduled tasks:
    • "{GUID}"
      • Execute every hour 5 times
      • Execute following:
        • %Application Data%\Microsoft\{random folder}\{random file name}.exe
  • It checks for the following running process:
    • VBoxTray.exe
    • vmtoolsd.exe
    • vmacthlp.exe
    • metsvc-server.exe
    • VBoxService.exe
    • windump.exe
  • It connects to the following site to check for internet connection speed by downloading a sample via:
    • https://cdn.speedof.me/sample4096k.bin?r=0
  • It is capable of the following:
    • Download and execute component files
    • Download configuration and updates
    • Download updated copy of itself
    • Uninstall itself
    • Kill processes
    • Upload files containing stolen information
    • Perform FTP functionalities
  • It sends the following information to its C&C server:
    • ext_ip
    • dnsname
    • hostname
    • user
    • domain
    • is_admin
    • os
    • qbot_version
    • install_time
    • exe
  • It also steals stored passwords, cache and cookies from the following servers:
    • 001e6608
    • 001e6607
    • Email
    • HTTP Server URL
    • HTTP User
    • HTTPMail Server
    • HTTPMail User Name
    • IMAP Server
    • IMAP User
    • IMAP User Name
    • NNTP Email Address
    • NNTP Server
    • NNTP User Name
    • POP3 Server
    • POP3 User
    • POP3 User Name
    • SMTP Email Address
    • SMTP Server
    • SMTP User
    • SMTP User Name
  • It also monitors the browsing activities of the infected computer and logs all information related to websites containing the following strings:
    • .5min.com
    • .adworldmedia.com
    • .amazonaws.com
    • .bing.com
    • .gator.com
    • .hiro.tv
    • .king.com
    • .microsoft.com
    • .mozilla.com
    • .mozilla.org
    • .twimg.com
    • 127.0.0.1
    • 180solutions.com
    • api.skype.com
    • audatexsolutions.com
    • auditude.com
    • brightcove.com
    • clients.mindbodyonline.com
    • conduit-services.com
    • contacts.msn.com
    • digitalmediacommunications.com
    • doubleclick.
    • eorezo.com
    • etsy.com
    • facebook.com
    • farmville.com
    • fwmrm.net
    • geo.query.yahoo.com
    • googleusercontent.com
    • hotbar.com
    • internet-optimizer.com
    • kixeye.com
    • localhost
    • loyaltyconnect.ihg.com
    • lphbs.com
    • mail.google.com
    • mail.services.live.com
    • mapquest.com
    • mendeley.com
    • messenger.live.com
    • mochibot.com
    • mybrowserbar.com
    • myshopres.com
    • netflix.com
    • newasp.com.cn
    • officeapps.live.com
    • owlforce.com
    • phantomefx.com
    • playtoga.com
    • r777r.info
    • radialpoint.com
    • safebrowsing.google.com
    • salesforce.com
    • search.msn.com
    • securestudies.com
    • seekmo.com
    • sipuku.com
    • spamblockerutility.com
    • storage.live.com
    • tbreport.bellsouth.net
    • tubemogul.com
    • webhancer.com
    • wildtangent.com
    • wpzkq.com
    • yahoo.com
    • youtube.com
    • zango.com
    • zynga.com
  • It checks if the malware filename contains the following strings:
    • sample
    • mlwr_smpl
    • artifact.exe
  • It terminates itself when executed in the following Virtual Environments:
    • CWSandbox
    • QEMU
    • RedHat
    • SCSI
    • SVGA
    • VBoxGuest
    • VirtIO
    • Virtual HD
    • VirtualBox
    • VirtualProtect
    • vm3dmp
    • VMaudio
    • vmdebug
    • vmrawdsk
    • VMware
    • vmx_svga
    • vmxnet
  • Checks and terminates its own process if any of the following modules are found in its memory:
    • fshook32.dll
    • SbieDll.dll
    • aswhookx.dll
    • sf2.dll (Avst)
    • dbghelp.dll
    • avcuf32.dll
  • It checks if the following anti-virus software is installed:
    • norton
    • AVG
    • mcafee
    • kaspersky
    • NOD32
    • Bitdefender
    • Avast
    • Trend Micro
    • Microsoft Security Essentials

It prevents users from visiting antivirus-related websites that contain the following strings:

  • siteadvisor.com
  • avgthreatlabs.com
  • safeweb.norton.com

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.850
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 14.770.05
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 24 Jan 2019
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 14.771.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 25 Jan 2019

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 4

Deleting Scheduled Tasks

The following {Task Name} - {Task to be run} listed should be used in the steps identified below:

  • Task Name: "{GUID}"
  • Trigger: Execute every hour 5 times
  • Task to be run: %Application Data%\\Microsoft\\{random folder}\\{random file name}.exe

For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:

  1. Open the Windows Scheduled Tasks. Click Start>Programs>Accessories>
    System Tools>Scheduled Tasks.
  2. Locate each {Task Name} values listed above in the Name column.
  3. Right-click on the said file(s) with the aforementioned value.
  4. Click on Properties. In the Run field, check for the listed {Task to be run}.
  5. If the strings match the list above, delete the task.

For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:

  1. Open the Windows Task Scheduler. To do this:
    • On Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008, click Start, type taskschd.msc in the Search input field, then press Enter.
    • On Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Run, type taskschd.msc, then press Enter.
  2. In the left panel, click Task Scheduler Library.
  3. In the upper-middle panel, locate each {Task Name} values listed above in the Name column.
  4. In the lower-middle panel, click the Actions tab. In the Details column, check for the {Task to be run} string.
  5. If the said string is found, delete the task.

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 name} = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe"

Step 6

Search and delete these folders

[ 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.
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\{random folder}

Step 7

Search and delete these files

[ 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.
  • %Windows%\Tasks\{GUID 1}.job (for Windows XP and below)

Step 8

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TrojanSpy.Win32.QAKBOT.C. 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 9

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TrojanSpy.Win32.QAKBOT.C. 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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