Backdoor.Niovadoor

SUMMARY

Backdoor.Niovadoor is a backdoor Trojan that gives an attacker unauthorized access to an infected computer. By default it opens port 54312 on the infected computer. The Trojan attempts to disable some antivirus and firewall programs by terminating their active processes.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) November 4, 2002
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) October 31, 2002

Threat Assessment

Wild

• Wild Level: Low
• Number of Infections: 0 - 49
• Number of Sites: 0 - 2
• Geographical Distribution: Low
• Threat Containment: Easy
• Removal: Moderate

Damage

• Damage Level: Medium
• Modifies Files: Modifies the registry.
• Releases Confidential Info: Intercepts confidential information by hooking keystrokes.
• Compromises Security Settings: Allows unauthorized access to the compromised computer. Attempts to disables some antivirus and firewall programs by terminating the active processes.

Distribution

• Distribution Level: Low
• Ports: 54312

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When Backdoor.Niovadoor runs, it performs the following actions:

It displays this message:

A General Fault Error has Occured in Address: 27x334F

It copies itself as %system% PIDLex.exe.

NOTE: %system% is a variable. The Trojan locates the System folder and copies itself to that location. By default this is C:WindowsSystem (Windows 95/98/Me), C:WinntSystem32 (Windows NT/2000), or C:WindowsSystem32 (Windows XP).

The Trojan creates the following values:

• (Default)    [encrypted data]
  
  in the registry key
  
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftNSID
  
• Microsoft© PID Lex %system%PIDLex.exe
  
  in the registry key
  
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
  
  so that the Trojan starts when you start or restart Windows.
  

The Trojan attempts to disable some antivirus and firewall programs by terminating their active processes.

If the operating system is Windows 95/98/Me, the Trojan registers itself as a service process to continue to run after the user logs off. In this case, Backdoor.Niovadoor will close only when the system is shut down.

In addition, Backdoor.Niovadoor attempts to obtain an access to the password cache that is stored on the local computer. The cached passwords include modem and dial-up passwords, URL passwords, share passwords, and others.

The Trojan intercepts confidential information by hooking keystrokes. This permits Backdoor.Niovadoor to steal confidential messages that are typed on an infected computer.

The Trojan uses ICQ pager to notify the client side.

After Backdoor.Niovadoor is installed, it waits for commands from the remote client. The commands allow the hacker to perform the following actions:

• Deliver system and network information to the hacker, including login names and cached network passwords.
• Install an FTP server, which allows the hacker to use the compromised computer as a temporary storage device.
• Print text, play media files, and open or close the CD-ROM drive.
• Hide icons, the system tray, buttons, and the taskbar.
• Switch the monitor off and on.
• Intercept confidential information by hooking keystrokes; intercept information currently displayed on a screen and deliver it to the hacker.
• Manage the installation of the backdoor Trojan.
• Download and execute files.
• Connect to the installed capture drivers, make a single-frame data capture, and deliver the captured data to the hacker.
• List processes and active windows.
• Send email from the compromised computer.
• Send keys to active applications.
• Change many system parameters, including the home page of the browser, screen resolution, and so on.

Recommendations

Symantec Security Response encourages all users and administrators to adhere to the following basic security "best practices":

• Turn off and remove unneeded services. By default, many operating systems install auxiliary services that are not critical, such as an FTP server, telnet, and a Web server. These services are avenues of attack. If they are removed, blended threats have less avenues of attack and you have fewer services to maintain through patch updates.
• If a blended 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 (for example, all Windows-based computers should have the current Service Pack installed.). Additionally, please apply any security updates that are mentioned in this writeup, in trusted Security Bulletins, or on vendor Web sites.
• 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.
• Configure your email server to block or remove email that contains file attachments that are commonly used to spread viruses, such as .vbs, .bat, .exe, .pif and .scr files.
• Isolate infected computers quickly to prevent further compromising your organization. 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.

REMOVAL

NOTE: These instructions are for all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.

1. Update the virus definitions.
2. Do one of the following:
   • Windows 95/98/Me: Restart the computer in Safe mode.
   • Windows NT/2000/XP: End the Trojan process.
3. Run a full system scan, and delete all files that are detected as Backdoor.Niovadoor.
4. Reverse the changes that the Trojan made to the registry.
   

For details on how to do this, read the following instructions.

To update the virus definitions:
All virus definitions receive full quality assurance testing by Symantec Security Response before being posted to our servers. There are two ways to obtain the most recent virus definitions:

• Run LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions. These virus definitions are posted to the LiveUpdate servers once each week (usually Wednesdays) unless there is a major virus outbreak. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by LiveUpdate, look at the Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate) line at the top of this write-up.
• Download the definitions using the Intelligent Updater. Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted on U.S. business days (Monday through Friday). They must be downloaded from the Symantec Security Response Web site and installed manually. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, look at the Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) line at the top of this write-up.
  
  Intelligent Updater virus definitions are available here. For detailed instructions on how to download and install the Intelligent Updater virus definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site, click here.

To restart the computer in Safe mode or end the Trojan process:

• Windows 95/98/Me
  Restart the computer in Safe mode. All Windows 32-bit operating systems, except for Windows NT, can be restarted in Safe mode. For instructions on how to do this, read the document How to start the computer in Safe Mode.

• Windows NT/2000/XP
  To end the Trojan process:
  1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete one time.
  2. Click Task Manager.
  3. Click the Processes tab.
  4. Double-click the Image Name column header to sort the processes alphabetically.
  5. Scroll through the list, and look for PIDLex.exe.
  6. If you find the file, click it, and then click End Process.
  7. Exit the Task Manager.

To scan for and delete the infected files:

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program, and make sure that it is configured to scan all files.
   • Norton AntiVirus consumer products: Read the document How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files.
   • Symantec enterprise antivirus products: Read the document How to verify a Symantec Corporate antivirus product is set to scan All Files.
2. Run a full system scan.
3. If any files are detected as infected with Backdoor.Niovadoor, click Delete.

To reverse the changes that the Trojan made to the registry:

CAUTION: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before you make any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify only the keys that are specified. Read the document How to make a backup of the Windows registry for instructions.

1. Click Start, and click Run. The Run dialog box appears.
2. Type regedit and then click OK. The Registry Editor opens.
3. Navigate to the key
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftNSID
   
4. In the right pane, delete the value
   
   (Default) [encrypted data]
   
5. Navigate to the key
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
6. In the right pane, delete the value
   
   Microsoft© PID Lex %system%PIDLex.exe
   
7. Exit the Registry Editor.
   

NOTE: You may need to reinstall your antivirus and firewall products.