Discovered: March 8, 2005
Updated: February 13, 2007 12:34:57 PM
Type: Trojan Horse
Systems Affected: Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP
Backdoor.Solufina may be downloaded from the planet.nana.co.il domain. When it is executed, it performs the following actions:
- Creates a mutex named "88FinalSolution88", which allows only one instance of the back door to run on the compromised computer.
- Starts a proxy server on TCP port 559.
- Copies itself to %Windir%\WINFRW.EXE.
Note: %Windir% is a variable that refers to the Windows installation folder. By default, this is C:\Windows or C:\Winnt.
- Adds the values:
"Windows System Configuration" = "%Windir%\WINFRW.exe"
"Windows Security Updater" = "%Windir%\WINFRW.exe"
to the registry subkeys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
so that is it executed every time Windows starts.
- Adds a registry entry periodically and when Windows is about to shut down.
- Creates a hidden window with the following properties:
Class name: SysCfg
Window name: Explorer
- The window may receive predetermined messages from another collaborative program installed on the same computer. When this occurs, the following actions may be performed on the compromised computer:
- Logs keystrokes
- Downloads and executes a remote file
- Lists and ends processes
- Checks if SQL commands can be executed on the compromised computer
- Deletes files
- Captures webcam footage
- Steals system information
- Opens files
- Sends files to a remote attacker
- Sends packets to the Internet
- Sends stolen information to a server on the bo.timzoz.net domain.
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: Masaki Suenaga