There are no common symptoms associated with this threat. Alert notifications from installed antivirus software may be the only symptoms.
Win32/Carberp
is a family of trojans that may be delivered via malicious code, for instance by variants of
Exploit:JS/Blacole. The trojan downloads other
Win32/Carberp components to execute payload code such as stealing online banking credentials and log on data from numerous other software applications, downloading and executing arbitrary files, exporting installed certificates, capturing screen shots and logging keystrokes.
Installation
The trojan may be installed by other malicious code such as variants of
Exploit:JS/Blacole. It may be written to the following folder as an executable file:
-
%USERPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\<
file name> (example: "igfxtray.exe")
The malware utilizes code injection in order to hinder detection and removal. It may inject code into the running process "explorer.exe" and hooks the API "ZwResumeThread" so it will load into a newly created process. Win32/Carberp also hooks the API "ZwQueryDirectoryFile" to hide its dropped file and its configuration file.
When the trojan runs at next Windows start, it executes its payload code.
Payload
Downloads other components
Win32/Carberp
attempts to download the following plug-ins from a remote server:
-
passw.plug
- used by the trojan to capture passwords from various applications
-
stopav.plug
- used by the trojan to terminate security processes
-
miniav.plug
- used by the trojan to remove certain malware
Captures log on credentials
Win32/Carberp
uses the plug-in "passw.plug" to capture passwords from the following:
- Installed software
-
Windows Commander
-
Total Commander
-
FileZilla
-
BProof FTP
-
FTP Commander
-
CuteFTP
-
FlashFXP
-
SmartFTP
-
FFFTP
-
CoffeeCup
-
CoreFTP
-
Frigate3
-
SecureFX
-
UltraFXP
-
FTPRush
-
BitKinex
-
ExpanDrive
-
Classic FTP
-
WinSCP
-
Free FTP
-
LeapFTP
-
WS FTP
-
Cryper Web Site Publisher
-
Far Manager FTP
- Cached passwords for a shared network resource
- Credentials stored by Windows protected storage service
- Log on information for the following communication software and web browsers:
-
Windows Live Messenger
-
Google talk
-
Paltalk
-
QIP Online
-
JAJC
-
Miranda ICQ
-
Yahoo Messenger
-
Outlook
-
Jabber
-
AOL Instant Messenger
-
Camfrog
-
POP Peeper
-
PocoMail
-
Vypress Auvis
-
Group Mail
-
Incredi Mail
-
Mail.Ru
-
Eudora
-
The Bat!
-
Becky! Internet Mail
-
Windows Mail
-
MRA
-
Internet Explorer
-
Safari
-
Firefox
-
Chrome
-
Opera
Disables security software and updates
The trojan uses the plug-in "stopav.plug" to disable the update service of security software associated with vendors and applications in the following list:
-
ArcaVir
-
Avast
-
AVG
-
Avira
-
BitDefender
-
DrWeb
-
ESET NOD32
-
ESET Smart Security
-
McAfee
-
Microsoft Security Essentials
-
Microsoft Security Client
-
Sophos
The malware attempts to exploit a Windows vulnerability (MS08-025) and disable security software by overwriting the memory copy of the System Service Descriptor Table (SSDT).
Note: The vulnerability is corrected by applying Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-025, released in April 2008.
Removes other malware
Win32/Carberp
attempts to remove the following malware families by deleting associated auto-start data and files:
Steals financial banking log on credentials
Win32/Carberp
tries to hook various network related APIs in the web browser process (e.g. "iexplorer.exe", "firefox.exe") to monitor network traffic. The trojan could inject code into webpages from certain websites, or capture credentials for certain online financial services (e.g. PayPal, IBank, Cyberplat and PSB). The trojan attempts to inject its custom code into the webpage returned by the following websites:
-
esk.sbrf.ru
-
online.sberbank.ru
-
*.alfabank.*
-
sbi.sberbank.ru
-
ibank.prbb.ru
-
*telebank.ru
The trojan could redirect log on credentials entered by a consumer to a remote server (for example "alfakinggg.com").
Allows unauthorized access and control
Win32/Carberp
attempts to contact a remote server to report its installation and retrieve commands. The server name changes frequently, however some observed server names include:
-
bg78ruhevroujiodjfoir.com
-
fwild.biz
-
huimka.ru
-
sigka.ru
-
tygko.ru
Win32/Carberp
attempts to communicate with a remote server to accept commands from a remote attacker. Commands could instruct the trojan to perform the following actions:
- Update its configuration
- Download and execute arbitrary files
- Load other plug-ins or modules
- Export installed certificates into a cabinet archive file
- Delete cookies for Internet Explorer and Firefox web browsers
- Upload captured credentials and certificates to a specified remote server
- Capture screen shots and log keystrokes, and send the captured data to a specified remote server
Analysis by Shawn Wang
Take the following steps to help prevent infection on your computer:
- Enable a firewall on your computer.
- Get the latest computer updates for all your installed software.
- Use up-to-date antivirus software.
- Limit user privileges on the computer.
- Use caution when opening attachments and accepting file transfers.
- Use caution when clicking on links to webpages.
- 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.
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. Instructions on how to download the latest versions of some common software is available from the following:
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.
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/windows/antivirus-partners/.
Limit user privileges on the computer
Starting with Windows Vista and Windows 7, Microsoft introduced User Account Control (UAC), which, when enabled, allowed users to run with least user privileges. This scenario limits the possibility of attacks by malware and other threats that require administrative privileges to run.
You can configure UAC in your computer to meet your preferences:
Use caution when opening attachments and accepting file transfers
Exercise caution with email 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 webpages
Exercise caution with links to webpages that you receive from unknown sources, especially if the links are to a webpage that you are not familiar with, unsure of the destination of, or suspicious of. Malicious software may be installed in your computer simply by visiting a webpage 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 to compromise a computer, they also attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in human behavior to do the same. When an attacker attempts to take advantage of human behavior 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 computer. 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 eight characters, and combines letters, numbers, and symbols. For more information, see http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/password/create.mspx.
To detect and remove this threat and other malicious software that may be installed on your computer, run a full-system scan with an appropriate, up-to-date, security solution. The following Microsoft products detect and remove this threat:
For more information on antivirus software, see http://www.microsoft.com/windows/antivirus-partners/.
This malware attempts to steal sensitive and confidential information from certain applications. Update passwords for the affected applications mentioned and configured software using strong password criteria. This malware attempts to steal sensitive and confidential information from affected users to perpetrate fraud. If you believe that your personal financial information may have been compromised, please refer to the following advisory for additional advice:
