Backdoor.Sdbot.AE

1. Copies itself as %System%\samx.exe.
   
   Note: %System% is a variable that refers to the System folder. By default, this is C:\Windows\System (Windows 95/98/Me), C:\Winnt\System32 (Windows NT/2000), or C:\Windows\System32 (Windows XP).
   
   
2. Adds the value:
   
   "FireWire Driver" = "samx.exe"
   
   to the registry keys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
   RunServices
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
   
   so that the Trojan executes at system startup.
   
   
3. Adds the value:
   
   "legacy_rain.us.101-freedom.net"
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root
   
   
4. Creates a service named "FireWire Driver," which points to:
   
   "%System%\samx.exe" -netsvcs
   
   by creating the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Rain.uS.101-Freedom.Net
   
   
5. Connects to an IRC server at TCP port 9136 on one or more of the following hosts:
   
   • cent2cent.gotdns.com
   • cntrx.ath.cx
     
     and listens for commands from a remote attacker
     
     
6. The backdoor server allows the attacker to perform such actions as:
   
   • Perform a Denial of Service (DoS) attack against a target host
   • Retrieve system information
   • Connect to a URL
   • Upload and download files
   • Execute programs
   • Conduct port scans against other computers
   • Start a HTTP server
   • Start an FTP server
     
     
7. Attempts to steal CD keys for the following games:
   
   • Neverwinter Nights (Hordes of the Underdark)
   • Neverwinter Nights (Shadows of Undrentide)
   • Neverwinter Nights
   • Soldier of Fortune II - Double Helix
   • Software\Activision\Soldier of Fortune II - Double Helix
   • Hidden & Dangerous 2
   • Chrome
   • NOX
   • Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2
   • Command and Conquer: Red Alert
   • Command and Conquer: Tiberian Sun
   • Rainbow Six III RavenShield
   • Nascar Racing 2003
   • Nascar Racing 2002
   • NHL 2003
   • NHL 2002
   • FIFA 2003
   • FIFA 2002
   • Shogun: Total War: Warlord Edition
   • Need For Speed: Underground
   • Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2
   • Medal of Honor: Allied Assault: Spearhead
   • Medal of Honor: Allied Assault: Breakthrough
   • Medal of Honor: Allied Assault
   • Global Operations
   • Command and Conquer: Generals
   • James Bond 007: Nightfire
   • Command and Conquer: Generals (Zero Hour)
   • Black and White
   • Battlefield Vietnam
   • Battlefield 1942 (Secret Weapons of WWII)
   • Battlefield 1942 (Road To Rome)
   • Battlefield 1942
   • Freedom Force
   • IGI 2: Covert Strike
   • Unreal Tournament 2004
   • Unreal Tournament 2003
   • Soldiers Of Anarchy
   • Legends of Might and Magic
   • Industry Giant 2
   • Half-Life
   • Gunman Chronicles
   • The Gladiators
   • Counter-Strike
     

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.