Method of Infection
When executed, Win32/Eldycow variants attempt to turn off Windows File Protection in order to create the following malicious files:
%System%\drivers\beep.sys
%System%\dllcache\beep.sys
The system is then made to reboot, enabling "beep.sys" to execute on system start.
On reboot, Win32/Eldycow creates the following files
%Windows%\medichi.exe
%Windows%\medichi2.exe
%Windows%\murka.dat
%System%\user32.dat
Some variants may also infect files. For example, Win32/Eldycow.P infects any .exe files listed under the following registry keys:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
The trojan then patches the listed .exe files which allows "user32.dat" to execute on system startup.
Win32/Eldycow variants modify the following registry entries to execute themselves on system load:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\Medichi = "medichi.exe"
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\Medichi2 = "medichi2.exe"
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\AppInit_DLLs = "murka.dat"
Note: %System% and %Windows% are variable locations. The malware determines the location of these folders by querying the operating system. The default installation location for the System directory for Windows 2000 and NT is C:\Winnt\System32; for 95,98 and ME is C:\Windows\System; and for XP and Vista is C:\Windows\System32. The default installation location for the Windows directory for Windows 2000 and NT is C:\Winnt; for 95,98 and ME is C:\Windows; and for XP and Vista is C:\Windows.
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Payload
Terminates Processes
Win32/Eldycow variants terminate the following processes if they are running on the system:
!update.exe 180ax.exe 180sa.exe 1clickspyclean.exe a.exe a2antidialer.exe a2pr.exe aaupdt.exe aawservice.exe aceclubcasino.exe acefilesearch.exe aceziprun.exe actalert.exe activenetworkmonitor.exe adaware.exe adaway.exe adgold.exe admagic.exe ad-purgedemo.exe adsalert.exe adscleaner.exe adwarebazooka.exe adwaredeluxe.exe adwarepatrol.exe adwarepunisher.exe adwarespy4.exe adwin.exe agentspyware.exe agseiapp.exe aguarddogsuitent.exe akl.exe akv.exe alchem.exe alertspy.exe alevir.exe alfacleaner.exe alhlp.exe alogcfg.exe alsys.exe, answers.exe antispam.exe antispysoldier.exe antivirusgolden.exe apc_admin.exe app.exe aps.exe armor2net.exe as100.exe ashdisp.exe ashmaisv.exe ashserv.exe ashwebsv.exe aso.exe aswupdsv.exe atlantis.exe atmclk.exe autoupdaterun.exe avgagent.exe avgemc.exe avkbar.exe avp.exe avpcc.exe avpm.exe avsched32.exe avz.exe baigoo.exe bargains.exe barman.exe bazookabar.exe bbchk.exe bdmcon.exe bdss.exe bearshare.exe beta.exe beyondremotefull.exe bfk.exe block-checker.exe bpk.exe bpsdatashredder.exe bpspopupshld.exe bravesentry.exe cavrid.exe cavtray.exe ccapp.exe ccevtmgr.exe ccimscan.exe cclaw.exe cclgview.exe ccpxysvc.exe cfgwiz.exe clamservice.exe combofix.exe comboxfix.exe cpd.exe cpf.exe crypserv.exe cureit.exe dfw.exe dllhost32.exe dsentry.exe ebatesmoemoneymaker.exe edonkey2000.exe eitcwd.exe ers.exe escorcher.exe etdscanner.exe ethscout.exe etmp.exe eww.exe eyetidecontroller.exe farsighter.exe fatbuster.exe fdd.exe ferret.exe fie5344.exe firewalker.exe flobospywareclean.exe forbesalerts.exe fpavupdm.exe freedom.exe freeprodtb.exe froggiescandemo.exe fs30.exe fsav32.exe fsbl.exe f-sched.exe fsdfwd.exe fservice.exe fsm32.exe f-stopw.exe ftviewer.exe fvprotect.exe fwnet64.exe gcasdtserv.exe gcasserv.exe geowhere.2.61.lite.exe gestionnaireantidote.exe getbymail.exe givemetoo.exe gnucleus.exe goodbyespy.exe grabburn.exe guard.exe gv.exe hackmon.exe hbtoeaddon.exe hidownload.exe hijackthis.exe hijackthis_v2.exe hitvirus.exe hwpe2.exe iao.exe icmon.exe iewatch20.exe inetupd.exe install.exe internetspy.exe intrakey.exe irsetup.exe isafe.exe |
isamini.exe isamonitor.exe isass.exe isclean.exe ishost.exe ismini.exe isnotify.exe issearch.exe issvc.exe itbill.exe itunesmusic.exe iwnvod.exe jimmysurf.exe justremoteitserver.exe kav.exe kavss.exe kavsvc.exe keylogger.exe keylover21.exe killandclean.exe klpf.exe klswd.exe kpf4ss.exe little_helper2.exe livesrv.exe loggerconfigurator.exe lsasrv.exe lsass32.exe magiclink.exe magplayer.exe mailskinner.exe main.exe mainwnd.exe malscr.exe malswep.exe malwaredestroyer.exe malwhere.exe mathchk.exe mcagent.exe mcshield.exe mctskshd.exe memorywatcher.exe mns.exe mobmasher.exe moni.exe monifree.exe mp3galaxy.exe mppoker.exe mscornet.exe msecag.exe msgsys.exe mshutdown.exe msls32.exe msnsniffer.exe mssearchnet.exe msssrv.exe multipl.exe mwsoemon.exe myvideodaily2.exe navapp.exe navstub.exe navw32.exe netctl.exe netpumperieproxy.exe netzip.exe nisum.exe njexplor.exe nlsupervisorpro.exe no32mon.exe nod32krn.exe nod32ra.exe nortonupdate.exe nsmdtr.exe nstask32.exe nvctrl.exe oemjishare.exe ofcdog.exe optimize.exe outpost.exe overseer.exe overspy.exe p2pnetworking.exe pavfnsvr.exe pbcpl.exe pboptions.exe pcacmes.exe pcagent.exe pcbusted.exe pcorion.exe pcps.exe pcscanner.exe pcsmokinggun2.exe pctptt.exe pcwatch.exe penguinpanic.exe personalmoneytree.exe pesttrap.exe pestwiper.exe picx.exe pkviewer.exe plook.exe pmmon.exe pmsngr.exe pmuninst.exe powerscan.exe ppmemcheck.exe ppsys.exe ppv5.exe precisiontime.exe prevxcsi1104.exe privacycrusaderdemo.exe privatemailreader.exe procalert.exe pronto.exe prt.exe psfree.exe pxckdla.exe qconsole.exe qpanel.exe rasautou.exe razespyware.exe rcpadmin.exe recorder.exe regbar.exe regclean32.exe registrycare.exe registryfix.exe registrysweeper.exe regresc.exe remedyantispy.exe removeit.exe repsvc.exe rfmanager.exe rpcsetup.exe rtvscan.exe runbackgammon.exe runbingo.exe safewebsurfer.exe sandboxieserver.exe sar.exe savemywork.exe savscan.exe sb32mon.exe sbserv.exe sbsse.exe scan&repair2006.exe scanner.exe scanregw.exe scrabble.exe sd2006.exe sdupdate.exe seccon.exe secretspy.exe securityiguard.exe seestat.exe serv.exe service.exe service32.exe sgfwsvc.exe |
showbar.exe showbehind.exe sidefind.exe sk60.exe skin2000.exe sks32proc.exe slimshield.exe slman.exe smileysource.exe smitfraudfix.exe smoke.exe smpcpro.exe smss32bk.exe snackman.exe sndsrvc.exe snoop.exe snowballwars.exe sp_rsser.exe sp0.exe spamihilator.exe spampal.exe spbbcsvc.exe spedia.exe spyaol.exe spybot.exe spybotsd.exe spybro.exe spycl4.exe spycleanergold.exe spycleanerplatinum.exe spyfighter.exe spygraphica.exe spyheal.exe spyhunter.exe spyiblock.exe spyinator.exe spykiller.exe spylax.exe spymon.exe spyonthis.exe spypry.exe spyreaperprodemo.exe spyrem.exe spyshield.exe spysniper.exe spyspotter.exe spysub.exe spytector.exe spytrooper.exe spyviperprodemo.exe spyware_annihilator.exe spywarebot.exe spywaredetector.exe spywaredisinfector.exe spywarequake.exe spywareremovalwizard.exe spywareremover.exe spywareslayer.exe spywarestormer.exe ssdemo.exe sservice.exe ssk.exe ssp.exe sss.exe staffcop.exe stardialer.exe startpoker.exe stinger.exe stmonitor.exe story.exe sunshinebingo.exe superantispywarepro.exe surfkeeper.exe sv.exe svcmon.exe swatcher.exe swdoctor.exe swnxt.exe symwsc.exe syscfg32.exe sysd.exe sysformat.exe syslog.exe syslogin.exe sysmgr32.exe sysmgr64.exe system.exe taskdir.exe tasker.exe titanshield.exe tmoagent.exe toolkeylogger.exe topsearch.exe tpcl.exe truedownloader.exe trustcleaner.exe ttbsetup.exe tvs_b.exe twab5.exe u88.exe udc2006.exe uert.exe ultrakeyboard.exe unspypc.exe updsvc.exe userinit32.exe usrprmpt.exe usyp.exe utviewer.exe vcatch.exe vetmsg.exe vetmsg9x.exe vettray.exe view.exe viewer.exe virtuescope.exe virusrescue.exe vptray.exe was6.exe wcantispy.exe weather.exe webrebates.exe websnitch.exe wfdmgr.exe whspeedrank.exe wicleaner.exe win16dll.exe windll.exe winlogin.exe winlogons.exe winlogonsys.exe winpass.exe winsl.exe winsrv32.exe wmsmod32.exe wnames.exe wnetmgr.exe words.exe worldantispy.exe wrclock.exe ws.exe wslogger.exe wsmdi.exe wtrtrial.exe wupdt.exe xcommsvr.exe x-conspywaredestroyer.exe xfr.exe xolox.exe xp-antispy.exe xspyware.exe zango.exe zangoastrology.exe zangotvtimes.exe zapspot.exe zclient.exe zcodec.exe zcomservice.exe zilla.exe zipitfast.exe |
Displays False Warnings and Downloads Files
Win32/Eldycow displays a fake security alert dialog box like the one shown below:

If the user selects "Yes", the trojan directs them to a location on the gomyhit.com domain and downloads additional files to the system, some of which may be potentially unwanted.
The text of the alert is customized based on the operating system's language settings. Possible languages are shown below.
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Your computer is infected!
Windows has detected spyware infection!
It is recomended to use special antispyware tools to prevent data loss. Windows will now download and install the most up-to-date antispyware for you.
Click here to protect your computer from spyware!'
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Windows Security Alert
Warning! Potential Spyware Operation!
Your computer is making unauthorized copies of your system and
Internet files. Run full scan now to prevent any unathorised access to your files!
Click here to download Spyware Remover ...
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Windows Sicherheit Alarm
Warnend! Moglicher Spyware Betrieb! Ihr Computer erstellt nicht autorisierte Kopien von Ihrem System und von Internet-Akten. Voller Scan des Durchlaufes jetzt zu pervent irgendwelche unathorised Zugang zu Ihren Akten! Klicken Sie hier, um Spyware Remover zu downloaden...
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Alerta de Segurança Windows
Alerta! Potencial operaçao de Spyware!
Seu computador está fazendo cópias nao autorizadas de seusistema e arquivos de Internet! Faça agora uma varredura para prevenir ocorrência de acesso nao autorizado aos seus arquivos.
Clique aqui para baixar o removedor do spyware...
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Il vostro computer e' infetto!
Windows ha individuato un infezione spyware!
Si raccomanda di usare un software speciale antispyware per prevenire la perdita dei dati. Windows scarichera oraed installera il software antispyware piu aggiornato.
Clicca qui per proteggere il tuo computer da spywares!
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Allarme Sicurezza Windows
Attenzione! Potenziale Spyware!
Il vostro computer sta facendo copie non autorizzate del vostro sistema e files internet. Avviate la scansione completa per prevenire accesso non autorizzato ai vostri files! Cliccate qui per scaricare lo spyware remover...
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Alerte De Securite De Windows
Avertissant ! Operation Potentielle De Spyware !
Votre ordinateur est um train de faire copies non autorisees de votre systeme et dossiers d Internet. Course le scan maintenant pour empecher l'acces non autorise a vos dossiers!
Cliquez ici pour charger le solvant de spyware...
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Alarma De Seguridad De Windows
¡Advirtiendo: potencial operación de Spyware!
Su computadora está haciendo copias no autorizadas de su sistema y archivos de Internet. ¡Corra ahora el scan del funcionamiento para prevenir cualquier accesso no autorizado a sus archivos!
¡Clic aquí para descargar el removedor del spyware!...
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The trojan also sets this registry entry to allow the fake security alerts to appear on screen:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\EnableBalloonTips = 0x00000001
Win32/Eldycow then attempts to access the IP address 81.13.38.39 to download and execute further files.
Modifies System Settings
Win32/Eldycow variants modify the following registry entries in order to lower the user's Internet security settings:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\01208 = 0x00000000
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\02500 = 0x00000003
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\11208 = 0x00000000
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\12500 = 0x00000003
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\21208 = 0x00000000
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\22500 = 0x00000003
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\31208 = 0x00000000
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\32500 = 0x00000003
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\41208 = 0x00000000
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\42500 = 0x00000003
It also changes Internet Explorer's default start and search settings to point to www.google.com:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\Default_Search_URL = "http://www.google.com/ie"
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\Search Page = "http://www.google.com"
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\Start Page = "http://www.google.com"
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\http\shell\open\command = ""C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" %1"
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\https\shell\open\command = ""C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" %1"
Some variants may set these registry entries also:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\.shtml = "htmlfile"
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\.htm = "htmlfile"
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\.html = "htmlfile"
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\.xht = "htmlfile"
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\.xhtml = "htmlfile"
Additionally, Eldycow disables the system Registry Editor and Task Manager:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system\DisableRegistryTools = 0x00000001
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system\DisableTaskMgr = 0x00000001
It also disables the Control Panel and Windows Update:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoControlPanel = 0x00000001
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoWindowsUpdate = 0x0000001
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