Symantec.com > Security Response > Threats and Risks > Backdoor.IRC.Aladinz.K

Backdoor.IRC.Aladinz.K

Risk Level 1: Very Low

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Discovered: February 19, 2004
Updated: February 13, 2007 12:17:45 PM
Type: Trojan Horse
Systems Affected: Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows XP


When Backdoor.IRC.Aladinz.K is executed, it performs the following actions:
  1. Creates the following files:
    • C:\upd.exe (detected as Backdoor.IRC.Aladinz.K)
    • C:\inst.bat
    • C:\pv.exe
    • C:\restore.exe (detected as Hacktool.HideWindow)

  2. Runs the file, C:\upd.exe, which creates the following folders:
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\dat
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\downloads
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\log
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\logs
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\plugins
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\sounds

      and the following files:

    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\dat\config.ini
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\dat\easy_user.dic
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\dat\language.ini
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\dat\nt_pass.dic
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\dat\nt_user.dic
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\dat\os.finger
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\dat\port.ini
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\dat\rpc.ini
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\plugin\010-port.xpn (detected as Hacktool.Xscan)
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\plugin\020-netbios.xpn (detected as Hacktool.Xscan)
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\plugin\030-rpc.xpn (detected as Hacktool.Xscan)
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\plugin\090-ntpass.xpn (detected as Hacktool.Xscan)
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\addreg.bat
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\addreg.reg (detected as Backdoor.Trojan)
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\addregnt.reg
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\addregxp.reg
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\avupd.exe
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\background.jpg
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\dd9a.wav
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\delroot.bat
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\delscans.bat
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\get.exe
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\icon.jpg
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\init.bat (detected as Backdoor.IRC.Aladinz.K)
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\onrpc.dll
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\parse.txt
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\preset.ini (detected as Backdoor.IRC.Aladinz.K)
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\psexec.exe
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\random.txt
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\Rar.exe
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\remote.ini
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\remove.exe
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\restart.bat
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\restore.exe (detected as Hacktool.HideWindow)
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\spool.exe
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\svhost.exe (detected as Hacktool.Xscan)
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\test.ini (detected as Backdoor.IRC.Aladinz.K)
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\upd.bat (detected as Backdoor.IRC.Aladinz.K)
    • %Windir%\System32\plugins\X-ScanCfg.ini

  3. Deletes all the values in the registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
    Run

    which prevents programs that use this key from starting when Windows starts.

  4. Adds the value:

    "PrinterSpool"="%System%\PLUGINS\RESTORE.EXE %System%\PLUGINS\
    SPOOL.EXE"


    to the registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
    Run

    so that the Trojan runs when you start Windows.

  5. Sets the values to zero as shown here:

    "AutoShareWks"=0
    "AutoShareServer"=0

    in the registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\
    lanmanserver\parameters

    so that the administrative shares of the computer are disabled.

  6. Adds the subkey:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\mIRC\UserName

    and sets the value to:

    "(Default)"="mirc6"

  7. Adds the subkey:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\mIRC\License

    and sets the value:

    "(Default)"="1413-156222"

  8. Adds the subkey:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\mIRC\LastRun

    and sets the value to:

    "(Default)"="1072676713,0"

  9. Attempts to overwrite the following configuration files:
    • C:\Program Files\nav\CfgWiz.dat
    • C:\Program Files\nav\exclude.dat
    • C:\Program Files\nav\navopts.dat
    • C:\Program Files\nav\savrt.dat
    • C:\Program Files\nav\srtsexcl.dat
    • C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\CfgWiz.dat
    • C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\exclude.dat
    • C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navopts.dat
    • C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\savrt.dat
    • C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\srtsexcl.dat
    • C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton AntiVirus\CfgWiz.dat
    • C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton AntiVirus\exclude.dat
    • C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton AntiVirus\navopts.dat
    • C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton AntiVirus\savrt.dat
    • C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton AntiVirus\srtsexcl.dat

      which may modify certain settings in Norton AntiVirus. In particular, it may cause the following folders to be excluded from virus scanning:

    • C:\Windows\System32
    • C:\Winnt\System32
    • D:\Windows\System32
    • D:\Winnt\System32

  10. Allows a remote attacker to control the computer. The functions provided include:
    • Retrieving information about the computer.
    • Stopping and restarting the Trojan.
    • Downloading and running files.
    • Scanning hosts for vulnerabilities using the X-Scan network vulnerability scanner.


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.

Writeup By: Fergal Ladley
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