Backdoor.Hikit
Posted: August 27, 2012
Threat Metric
The following fields listed on the Threat Meter containing a specific value, are explained in detail below:
Threat Level: The threat level scale goes from 1 to 10 where 10 is the highest level of severity and 1 is the lowest level of severity. Each specific level is relative to the threat's consistent assessed behaviors collected from SpyHunter's risk assessment model.
Detection Count: The collective number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular malware threat. The detection count is calculated from infected PCs retrieved from diagnostic and scan log reports generated by SpyHunter.
Volume Count: Similar to the detection count, the Volume Count is specifically based on the number of confirmed and suspected threats infecting systems on a daily basis. High volume counts usually represent a popular threat but may or may not have infected a large number of systems. High detection count threats could lay dormant and have a low volume count. Criteria for Volume Count is relative to a daily detection count.
Trend Path: The Trend Path, utilizing an up arrow, down arrow or equal symbol, represents the level of recent movement of a particular threat. Up arrows represent an increase, down arrows represent a decline and the equal symbol represent no change to a threat's recent movement.
% Impact (Last 7 Days): This demonstrates a 7-day period change in the frequency of a malware threat infecting PCs. The percentage impact correlates directly to the current Trend Path to determine a rise or decline in the percentage.
Threat Level: | 6/10 |
---|---|
Infected PCs: | 15 |
First Seen: | August 27, 2012 |
---|---|
OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
The Hikit rootkit is a high-level threat favored by the Chinese threat group of Axiom for purposes of collecting information from highly-specified targets. With counts of individual attacks by this group at over forty-three thousand, all companies, environmental organizations and other, probable targets should use anti-malware protection to block this threat and remove the Hikit rootkit when required. Along with its semi-unique, advanced defenses, the Hikit rootkit also includes the basic functions of any backdoor Trojan, which may let third parties effectively control a compromised PC.
The Hikit Rootkit: Advanced Threats for an Advancing World
Since it's unseen in other contexts, the Hikit rootkit safely can be said to be a specialized data-theft tool of Axiom. This hacker group has been responsible for attacks targeting government agencies, humans rights organizations, financial firms, telecommunications companies and even members of academia. Related attacks by Axiom stole Bit9 certificates used by the Hikit rootkit to disguise its true identity as a threatening program. In all attacks, so far, the Hikit rootkit is one of the ultimate phases of infection, after its threat authors already have examined the infected PC and have determined that it possesses data worthy of theft.
Another, particularly notable trait of the Hikit rootkit is its characteristic for 'listening' for incoming traffic, rather than attempting to initiate contact with the Command & Control server. This characteristic may make the Hikit rootkit's traffic look indistinguishable from normal Web traffic. Additionally, the binary file of each Hikit rootkit is customized for each, individual attack, although the Hikit rootkit may include the following functions:
- The Hikit rootkit may launch a concealed shell, through which the Hikit rootkit may run system commands.
- The Hikit rootkit may transfer files to a remote server or download files to the infected PC.
- Remote Desktop-related features also may be part of the Hikit rootkit's infrastructure, which lets third parties control mouse and keyboard input directly.
Taking the High Round when It Comes to Beating the Hikit Rootkit
Axiom displays all the signs of a well-trained, professional organization whose members are unlikely to put a halt to the Hikit rootkit's development or use anytime soon. Malware experts also emphasize the lack of major symptoms linked to a Hikit rootkit's presence, as is typical for most threats of equal sophistication. However, the Hikit rootkit is a threat specific to certain public and private institutions and is an unlikely danger for personal PCs unrelated to high-profile industries or government activities.
Thanks to coordinated efforts by multiple PC security organizations, many anti-malware products should possess databases capable of identifying a Hikit rootkit. However, since the Hikit rootkit routinely is used in data-collecting attacks, steps also should be taken re-secure leaked data, in the event of any confirmed infection.
The Hikit rootkit's top targets to date include major institutions in the United States, the EU and various regions of Asia.
Technical Details
File System Modifications
Tutorials: If you wish to learn how to remove malware components manually, you can read the tutorials on how to find malware, kill unwanted processes, remove malicious DLLs and delete other harmful files. Always be sure to back up your PC before making any changes.
The following files were created in the system:file.exe
File name: file.exeSize: 44.54 KB (44544 bytes)
MD5: 4759ec5c0a3723a44042a9a96ece3632
Detection count: 72
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: September 3, 2012
oci.dll
File name: oci.dllSize: 262.65 KB (262656 bytes)
MD5: d3fb2b78fd7815878a70eac35f2945df
Detection count: 71
File type: Dynamic link library
Mime Type: unknown/dll
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: September 3, 2012
%Temp%\w7fw_m.inf
File name: %Temp%\w7fw_m.infMime Type: unknown/inf
Group: Malware file
%Temp%\w7fw.sys
File name: %Temp%\w7fw.sysFile type: System file
Mime Type: unknown/sys
Group: Malware file
%Temp%\w7fw.cat
File name: %Temp%\w7fw.catMime Type: unknown/cat
Group: Malware file
%Temp%\w7fw.inf
File name: %Temp%\w7fw.infMime Type: unknown/inf
Group: Malware file
%System%\drivers\W7fw.sys
File name: %System%\drivers\W7fw.sysFile type: System file
Mime Type: unknown/sys
Group: Malware file
Registry Modifications
HKEY..\..\{Value}HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\AuthRoot\Certificates\[HEXADECIMAL VALUE]\"Blob" = "[BINARY DATA]"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Non-Driver Signing\"Policy" = "00"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Driver Signing\"Policy" = "00"
Leave a Reply
Please note that we are not able to assist with billing and support issues regarding SpyHunter or other products. If you're having issues with SpyHunter, please get in touch with SpyHunter customer support through your SpyHunter . If you have SpyHunter billing questions, we recommend you check the Billing FAQ. For general suggestions or feedback, contact us.