Backdoor.OptixPro.10

When Backdoor.OptixPro.10 runs, it performs the following actions:

It displays the message:

You need to update your Media Player to the latest version.

It copies itself as %system%\Kernel32.exe. It creates the file %windir%\Winampw.exe.

NOTES:

• %system% is a variable. The Trojan locates the System folder and copies itself to that location. By default this is C:\Windows\System (Windows 95/98/Me), C:\Winnt\System32 (Windows NT/2000), or C:\Windows\System32 (Windows XP).
• %windir% is a variable. The Trojan locates the Windows installation folder (by default this is C:\Windows or C:\Winnt) and copies the file to that location.
  

The file size of Winampw.exe is 45,568 bytes. Norton AntiVirus detects it as Trojan horse.

This Trojan runs Kernel32.exe from the %system% folder.

In the registry key

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\exefile\shell\open\command

the Trojan changes the (Default) value to

(Default)    winampw.exe "%1" %*

This causes the Trojan to run when you run an .exe file.

The Trojan attempts to disable some antivirus and firewall programs by terminating the active processes.

Backdoor.OptixPro.10 obtains access to the password cache that is stored on the local computer. The cached passwords include modem and dial-up passwords, URL passwords, share passwords, and others.

The Trojan retrieves the properties of the current default phone book file. It then retrieves the following connection information for the last successfully established RAS connection:

• The phone number
• The user's user name
• The user's password

The Trojan uses the information to authenticate its access to the remote access server.

Backdoor.OptixPro.10 installs hook procedures into a hook chain to monitor the system for keyboard and mouse messages. These hook procedures process the messages and pass the hook information to the next hook procedure in the current hook chain. This permits Backdoor.OptixPro.10 to intercept keystrokes.

The Trojan notifies the client side using ICQ pager or email.

The hacker can perform any of the following actions:

• Deliver system and network information to the hacker, including login names and cached network passwords
• Install an FTP server which allows the hacker to use the compromised computer as his own temporary storage device
• Print text, play media files, and open or close the CD-ROM drive
• Hide icons, the system tray, buttons, and the taskbar
• Switch the monitor off and on
• Intercept confidential information by hooking any keystrokes; intercept information that appears on the screen and deliver it to the hacker
• Use a known vulnerability in Windows 95/98/Me to cause the computer to crash
• Connect to the installed capture drivers, make a single-frame data capture, and deliver the captured data to the hacker
  

Recommendations

Symantec Security Response encourages all users and administrators to adhere to the following basic security "best practices":

• Use a firewall to block all incoming connections from the Internet to services that should not be publicly available. By default, you should deny all incoming connections and only allow services you explicitly want to offer to the outside world.
• Enforce a password policy. Complex passwords make it difficult to crack password files on compromised computers. This helps to prevent or limit damage when a computer is compromised.
• Ensure that programs and users of the computer use the lowest level of privileges necessary to complete a task. When prompted for a root or UAC password, ensure that the program asking for administration-level access is a legitimate application.
• Disable AutoPlay to prevent the automatic launching of executable files on network and removable drives, and disconnect the drives when not required. If write access is not required, enable read-only mode if the option is available.
• Turn off file sharing if not needed. If file sharing is required, use ACLs and password protection to limit access. Disable anonymous access to shared folders. Grant access only to user accounts with strong passwords to folders that must be shared.
• Turn off and remove unnecessary services. By default, many operating systems install auxiliary services that are not critical. These services are avenues of attack. If they are removed, threats have less avenues of attack.
• If a threat exploits one or more network services, disable, or block access to, those services until a patch is applied.
• Always keep your patch levels up-to-date, especially on computers that host public services and are accessible through the firewall, such as HTTP, FTP, mail, and DNS services.
• Configure your email server to block or remove email that contains file attachments that are commonly used to spread threats, such as .vbs, .bat, .exe, .pif and .scr files.
• Isolate compromised computers quickly to prevent threats from spreading further. Perform a forensic analysis and restore the computers using trusted media.
• Train employees not to open attachments unless they are expecting them. Also, do not execute software that is downloaded from the Internet unless it has been scanned for viruses. Simply visiting a compromised Web site can cause infection if certain browser vulnerabilities are not patched.
• If Bluetooth is not required for mobile devices, it should be turned off. If you require its use, ensure that the device's visibility is set to "Hidden" so that it cannot be scanned by other Bluetooth devices. If device pairing must be used, ensure that all devices are set to "Unauthorized", requiring authorization for each connection request. Do not accept applications that are unsigned or sent from unknown sources.
• For further information on the terms used in this document, please refer to the Security Response glossary.

Summary