Alert level

Trojan:Win32/Whitewell.A


Encyclopedia entry
Updated: Nov 09, 2009  |  Published: Nov 04, 2009

Aliases
  • Win-Trojan/Whitewell.22016 (AhnLab)
  • Trojan.Win32.Scar.agqx (Kaspersky)
  • Trojan.Whitewell (Symantec)

Alert Level (?)
Severe

Antimalware protection details
Microsoft recommends that you download the latest definitions to get protected.
Detection initially created:
Definition: 1.69.503.0
Released: Nov 04, 2009

Summary

Trojan:Win32/Whitewell.A is a trojan that allows remote access and control and communicates with remote websites including a user account on the social networking site "facebook.com".

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Symptoms

System changes
The following system changes may indicate the presence of this malware:
  • The presence of the following files:
    %TEMP%\setup.exe
  • The presence of the following registry modifications:
    Value: "MCAFEEIPS"
    With data: "%TEMP%\setup.exe"
    In subkey: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

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Technical Information (Analysis)

Trojan:Win32/Whitewell.A is a trojan that allows remote access and control and communicates with remote websites including a user account on the social networking site "facebook.com".
Installation
When run, the trojan drops a copy of itself as the following:
 
%TEMP%\setup.exe
 
The registry is modified to run the trojan at each Windows start.
 
Adds value: "MCAFEEIPS"
With data: "%TEMP%\setup.exe"
To subkey: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
 
Payload
Disables McAfee firewall service
The trojan attempts to locate and disable the McAfee desktop firewall service named “FireSvc.exe”. Terminating the service allows the trojan to perform its remote website connection payload.
 
Allows remote access and control
Trojan:Win32/Whitewell.A logs into the social networking website "m.facebook.com” using an embedded e-mail address and password. It then parses the notes page, and perform certain actions depending on the following note titles:
  1. "Wells”
    • the trojan posts a note with the status of the operation and the infected computer's current date and time
  2. "White”
    • the trojan attempts to download an executable file to the %TEMP% folder and execute it
    • if the operation is successful, the trojan posts a note with the status of the operation and infected system’s current date and time
  3. “Webserver”
    • contacts a remote server and awaits commands from an attacker - depending on the received command, the trojan can perform do the following actions:
      1. “pslist” – retrieves the list of running processes and sends the base64 encoded results to the specified remote address
      2. “pskill” – terminate a certain process
      3. “localpath” – get the path of Win32/Whitewell that is currently running
      4. “http://” - download a file to the %TEMP% folder
      5. “exit” – terminate Win32/Whitewell process and delete the trojan
If Facebook access is unsuccessful, Trojan:Win32/Whitewell.A will access another predefined remote domain "kennethorr.org” to receive commands.
 
Additional Information
All Facebook postings by Win32/Whitewell has the title "L.Simeona".
 
Analysis by Rodel Finones

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Prevention

Take the following steps to help prevent infection on your system:
  • Enable a firewall on your computer.
  • Get the latest computer updates for all your installed software.
  • Use up-to-date antivirus software.
  • Use caution when opening attachments and accepting file transfers.
  • Use caution when clicking on links to web pages.
  • Avoid downloading pirated software.
  • Protect yourself against social engineering attacks.
  • Use strong passwords.
Enable a firewall on your computer
Use a third-party firewall product or turn on the Microsoft Windows Internet Connection Firewall.
To turn on the Windows Firewall in Windows Vista
  1. Click Start, and click Control Panel.
  2. Click Security.
  3. Click Turn Windows Firewall on or off.
  4. Select On.
  5. Click OK.
To turn on the Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP
  1. Click Start, and click Control Panel.
  2. Click Network and Internet Connections. If you do not see Network and Internet Connections, click Switch to Category View.
  3. Click Change Windows Firewall Settings.
  4. Select On.
  5. Click OK.
Get the latest computer updates
Updates help protect your computer from viruses, worms, and other threats as they are discovered. It is important to install updates for all the software that is installed in your computer. These are usually available from vendor websites.
 
You can use the Automatic Updates feature in Windows to automatically download future Microsoft security updates while your computer is on and connected to the Internet.
To turn on Automatic Updates in Windows Vista
  1. Click Start, and click Control Panel. 
  2. Click System and Maintainance.
  3. Click Windows Updates.
  4. Select a setting. Microsoft recommends selecting Install updates automatically and choose a time that is convenient for you. If you do not choose Automatic, but you choose to be notified when updates are ready, a notification balloon appears when new downloads are available to install. Click the notification balloon to review and install the updates.
To turn on Automatic Updates in Windows XP
  1. Click Start, and click Control Panel. 
  2. Click System.
  3. Click Automatic Updates.
  4. Select a setting. Microsoft recommends selecting Automatic. If you do not choose Automatic, but you choose to be notified when updates are ready, a notification balloon appears when new downloads are available to install. Click the notification balloon to review and install the updates.
Use up-to-date antivirus software
Most antivirus software can detect and prevent infection by known malicious software. To help protect you from infection, you should always run antivirus software, such as Microsoft Security Essentials, that is updated with the latest signature files. For more information, see http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/viruses/vista.mspx.
Use caution when opening attachments and accepting file transfers
Exercise caution with e-mail and attachments received from unknown sources, or received unexpectedly from known sources.  Use extreme caution when accepting file transfers from known or unknown sources.
Use caution when clicking on links to Web pages
Exercise caution with links to web pages that you receive from unknown sources, especially if the links are to a Web page that you are not familiar with, unsure of the destination of, or suspicious of. Malicious software may be installed in your system simply by visiting a Web page with harmful content.
Avoid downloading pirated software
Threats may also be bundled with software and files that are available for download on various torrent sites. Downloading "cracked" or "pirated" software from these sites carries not only the risk of being infected with malware, but is also illegal. For more information, see 'The risks of obtaining and using pirated software'.
Protect yourself from social engineering attacks
While attackers may attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in hardware or software in order to compromise a system, they also attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in human behavior in order to do the same. When an attacker attempts to take advantage of human behavior in order to persuade the affected user to perform an action of the attacker's choice, it is known as 'social engineering'. Essentially, social engineering is an attack against the human interface of the targeted system. For more information, see 'What is social engineering?'.
Use strong passwords
Attackers may try to gain access to your Windows account by guessing your password. It is therefore important that you use a strong password – one that cannot be easily guessed by an attacker. A strong password is one that has at least 8 characters, and combines letters, numbers, and symbols. For more information, see http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/password/create.mspx.

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Recovery

Manual removal is not recommended for this threat. To detect and remove this threat and other malicious software that may have been installed, run a full-system scan with an up-to-date antivirus product such as Microsoft Security Essentials, or the Windows Live OneCare safety scanner. For more information about using antivirus software, see http://www.microsoft.com/security/antivirus/av.aspx.

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