Underworld: Awakening

Status: Post-production

PCLinuxOS 2011.07 "KDE MiniMe"

Bill Reynolds has announced the release of PCLinuxOS 2011.07 "KDE MiniMe" edition. This product is designed for more advanced users who prefer to install a minimal KDE-based (version 4.6.5) system and extend it later via the distribution's online repositories. From the release announcement: "PCLinuxOS KDE MiniMe 2011.07 for 32-bit computers (works on 64-bit computers too) is now available for download. What's new? The kernel was updated to version 2.6.38.8. Additional kernels, such as a PAE kernel for computers with more than 4 GB of memory, are available from our repositories. A BFS kernel for maximum desktop performance and a standard kernel with group scheduling enabled. X.Org Server was updated to version 1.10.3. Mesa updated to 7.10.3 and libdrm to version 2.4.26." Download: pclinuxos-kde-minime-2011.07.iso (460MB, MD5).

Linvo GNU/Linux 2010.12.6

Ivo Georgiev has announced the release of Linvo GNU/Linux 2010.12.6, a Slackware-based (installable) live DVD with GNOME 2.32, custom package manager, multimedia codecs support and other user-friendly features: "Linvo 2010.12.6. This is probably the last maintenance release of the GNOME-powered 2010.12 series. It features a couple of bug fixes (e.g. dependency handling) and improvements (e.g. smooth download progress bar) to LinvoApp, the distinctive applications management system. Unfortunately, some applications (mostly obsolete) have been removed from the website because they were not built right by the LinvoApp automatic builder, so now we're down to only 125 applications. Of course, LinvoApp is still beta and you can always use the traditional Gslapt to install software if you miss something which is not in the Applications category." Here is the brief release announcement. Download (MD5): linvo-2010.12.6-x86.iso (737MB).

Sabayon Linux 6 "E17", "LXDE", "Xfce"

Fabio Erculiani has announced the availability of three new Sabayon Linux 6 spins, featuring the Enlightenment 17, LXDE and Xfce desktops: "This is the last set of Sabayon 6 releases, we have Sabayon 6 LXDE, a very lightweight desktop environment for elderly systems, that fits on a single 700 MB CD. Then there is Sabayon 6 Xfce, which has been turned into a valid GNOME alternative, breaking the 700 MB size barrier, provided with multimedia and office applications, NVIDIA, AMD GPU drivers and more. Last and probably least, there is Sabayon 6 E17, it's Enlightenment 17 SVN snapshot, for the brave. Here is the full release announcement. Download links: Sabayon_6_x86_E17.iso (652MB, MD5, torrent), Sabayon_6_amd64_E17.iso (684MB, MD5, torrent), Sabayon_6_x86_LXDE.iso (644MB, MD5, torrent), Sabayon_6_amd64_LXDE.iso (677MB, MD5, torrent), Sabayon_6_x86_XFCE.iso (1,179MB, MD5, torrent), Sabayon_6_amd64_XFCE.iso (1,396MB, MD5, torrent).

Pardus Linux 2011.1

Gökçen Eraslan has announced the release of Pardus Linux 2011.1: "Pardus 2011.1 'Dama Dama' is now available. Here are the basic components and their versions shipped within Pardus 2011.1 release: KDE Desktop Environment 4.6.5, Linux kernel 2.6.37.6, LibreOffice 3.4.1.3, Mozilla Firefox web browser 5.0, X.Org Server 1.9.5, GIMP 2.6.11, Python 2.7.1, GCC 4.5.3, glibc 2.12. In addition to those updates: lots of bugs have been fixed; 64-bit Skype and WINE package are now in 2011 stable repository; YALI has a System Rescue mode now; work on 2009 - 2011 distribution upgrade interface is about to finish, after the testing is complete, upgrade-manager package will be provided in 2009 repositories to ease the transition; QuickFormat application can be tested now to format USB removable disks easily.... Here is the brief release announcement. Download: Pardus-2011.1-i686.iso (1,160MB, MD5), Pardus-2011.1-x86_64.iso (1,177MB, MD5). Quick links to the live DVD images: Pardus-2011.1-Live-i686.iso (1,338MB, MD5), Pardus-2011.1-Live-x86_64.iso (1,358MB, MD5).

Pinguy OS 11.04 "Ping-Eee"

Antoni Norman has announced the release of a special edition of Pinguy OS for netbooks, an Ubuntu-based distribution with a custom user interface, power-saving features, and extra WiFi drivers: "Pinguy has released Ping-Eee OS 11.04, an Ubuntu-based remaster especially designed for netbooks. It comes with Jupiter (which has Super Hybrid Engine support) and Granola to help with the power consumption and most applications from Pinguy OS: Docky, Nautilus Elementary, Firefox, Thunderbird, Skype, LibreOffice, Dropbox, Deluge, Empathy, VLC, Déjà Dup backup tool, Linux Mint Update Manager, WINE and more. There's also Clementine instead of Rhythmbox. Ping-Eee OS also comes with extra WiFi drivers for many devices which are not normally supported out of the box on other Linux distributions. Here is the full release announcement. Download: Ping-Eee_OS_11.04.1_i686.iso (1,405MB, MD5).

ArtistX 1.1

Marco Ghirlanda has announced the release of ArtistX 1.1, an Ubuntu-based distribution with a large collection of applications designed for creative artists: "After many years of continuous development and ten versions, the ArtistX 1.1 multimedia studio on a DVD is finally here. It's an Ubuntu 11.04-based live DVD that turns a common computer into a full multimedia production studio. ArtistX 1.1 is created with the Remastersys software for live DVDs and includes the 2.6.38 Linux kernel, GNOME 2.32 and KDE 4.6, Compiz Fusion and about 2,500 free multimedia software packages, nearly everything that exists for the GNU/Linux operating system organized in the GNOME menu. Main features: based on Ubuntu 11.04 'Natty Narwhal' with all updates (from April 2011), Compiz for 3D desktop effects; most of GNU/Linux multimedia packages and the very easy Ubiquity installer." Visit the distribution's home page to read the release announcement and to learn more about the product. Download: artistx_1.1_live_dvd_iso_07_06_2011.iso (3,664MB, MD5).

Parted Magic 6.3

Patrick Verner has announced the release of Parted Magic 6.3, a utility live CD with software for disk management and data rescue tasks. Besides the usual i486 image, Parted Magic now also exists in i686 and x86_64 flavours for more modern computers. From the release announcement: "This release fixes a few obscure typos and bugs in some of our scripts. Pburn and Pfilesearch have been added for testing. There are no menu entries yet, so run 'pburn' from the command line. The main reason for this release was to add more kernel CPU options. Parted Magic now comes in i486, i686, and x86_64 editions. The only testing I've done with x86_64 was on my i7 machine. I've successfully chrooted into a 64-bit Slackware 13.37 and ran some command-line programs. The i686 CPU is set to PIII, so if you are running a PII, use the i486 version instead." Download (MD5): pmagic-6.3.iso (170MB).

TDL4 – Top Bot

TDSS variants

The malware detected by Kaspersky Anti-Virus as TDSS is the most sophisticated threat today. TDSS uses a range of methods to evade signature, heuristic, and proactive detection, and uses encryption to facilitate communication between its bots and the botnet command and control center. TDSS also has a powerful rootkit component, which allows it to conceal the presence of any other types of malware in the system.

Its creator calls this program TDL. Since it first appeared in 2008, malware writers have been perfecting their creation little by little. By 2010, the latest version was TDL-3, which was discussed in depth in an article published in August 2010.

The creators of TDSS did not sell their program until the end of 2010. In December, when analyzing a TDSS sample, we discovered something odd: a TDL-3 encrypted disk contained modules of another malicious program, SHIZ.

TDL-3 encrypted disk with SHIZ modules

At that time, a new affiliate program specializing in search engine redirects had just emerged on the Internet; it belonged to the creators of SHIZ, but used TDL-3.

The changes that had been made to the TDL-3 configuration and the emergence of a new affiliate marketing program point to the sale of TDL-3 source code to cybercriminals who had previously been engaged in the development of SHIZ malware.

Why did the creators of TDL decide to sell source code of the third version of their program? The fact is that by this time, TDL-4 had already come out. The cybercriminals most likely considered the changes in version 4 to be significant enough that they wouldn’t have to worry about competition from those who bought TDL-3.

In late 2010, Vyacheslav Rusakov wrote a piece on the latest version of the TDSS rootkit focusing on how it works within the operating system. This article will take a closer look at how TDL-4 communicates with the network and uploads data to the botnet, which numbered over 4.5 million infected computers at the time of writing.

Yet another affiliate program

The way in which the new version of TDL works hasn’t changed so much as how it is spread - via affiliates. As before, affiliate programs offer a TDL distribution client that checks the version of the operating system on a victim machine and then downloads TDL-4 to the computer.

Affiliates spreading TDL

Affiliates receive between $20 to $200 for every 1,000 installations of TDL, depending on the location of the victim computer. Affiliates can use any installation method they choose. Most often, TDL is planted on adult content sites, bootleg websites, and video and file storage services.

The changes in TDL-4 affected practically all components of the malware and its activity on the web to some extent or other. The malware writers extended the program functionality, changed the algorithm used to encrypt the communication protocol between bots and the botnet command and control servers, and attempted to ensure they had access to infected computers even in cases where the botnet control centers are shut down. The owners of TDL are essentially trying to create an ‘indestructible’ botnet that is protected against attacks, competitors, and antivirus companies.

The ‘indestructible’ botnet

Encrypted network connections

One of the key changes in TDL-4 compared to previous versions is an updated algorithm encrypting the protocol used for communication between infected computers and botnet command and control servers. The cybercriminals replaced RC4 with their own encryption algorithm using XOR swaps and operations. The domain names to which connections are made and the bsh parameter from the cfg.ini file are used as encryption keys.

Readers may recall that one of the distinguishing features of malware from the TDSS family is a configuration file containing descriptions of the key parameters used by various modules to maintain activity logs and communications with command and control servers.

Example of configuration file content

Compared to version 3, there are only negligible changes to the format of the configuration file. The main addition is the bsh parameter, an identifier which identifies the copy of the malware, and which is provided by the command and control sever the first time the bot connects. This identifier acts as one of the encryption keys for subsequent connections to the command and control server.

Part of the code modified to work with the TDL-4 protocol.

Upon protocol initialization, a swap table is created for the bot’s outgoing HTTP requests. This table is activated with two keys: the domain name of the botnet command and control server, and the bsh parameter. The source request is encrypted and then converted to base64. Random strings in base64 are prepended and appended to the received message. Once ready, the request is sent to the server using HTTPS.

The new protocol encryption algorithm for communications between the botnet control center and infected machines ensures that the botnet will run smoothly, while protecting infected computers from network traffic analysis, and blocking attempts of other cybercriminals to take control of the botnet.

An antivirus of its own

Just like Sinowal, TDL-4 is a bootkit, which means that it infects the MBR in order to launch itself, thus ensuring that malicious code will run prior to operating system start. This is a classic method used by downloaders which ensures a longer malware lifecycle and makes it less visible to most security programs.

TDL nimbly hides both itself and the malicious programs that it downloads from antivirus products. To prevent other malicious programs not associated with TDL from attracting the attention of users of the infected machine, TDL-4 can now delete them. Not all of them, of course, just the most common.

TDSS module code which searches the system registry for other malicious programs

TDSS contains code to remove approximately 20 malicious programs, including Gbot, ZeuS, Clishmic, Optima, etc. TDSS scans the registry, searches for specific file names, blacklists the addresses of the command and control centers of other botnets and prevents victim machines from contacting them.

This ‘antivirus’ actually helps TDSS; on the one hand, it fights cybercrime competition, while on the other hand it protects TDSS and associated malware against undesirable interactions that could be caused by other malware on the infected machine.

Which malicious programs does TDL-4 itself download? Since the beginning of this year, the botnet has installed nearly 30 additional malicious programs, including fake antivirus programs, adware, and the Pushdo spambot.

TDSS downloads

Notably, TDL-4 doesn't delete itself following installation of other malware, and can at any time use the r.dll module to delete malware it has downloaded.

Botnet access to the Kad network

One of the most outstanding new features of TDL-4 is the kad.dll module, which allows the TDSS botnet to access the Kad network. So what do the cybercriminals want with a publicly accessible file exchange network?

We have known about botnets controlled via P2P for some time now, although until now, these were closed protocol connections created by the cybercriminals themselves. In contrast, TDSS uses a public P2P network in order to transmit commands to all infected computers in the botnet. The initial steps of how TDSS makes use of Kad are given below:

1. The cybercriminals make a file called ktzerules accessible on the Kad network. The file is encrypted and contains a list of commands for TDSS.
2. Computers infected with TDSS receive the command to download and install the kad.dll module.
3. Once installed, kad.dll downloads the file nodes.dat, which contains the publicly accessible list of IP addresses of Kad network servers and clients.
4. The kad.dll module then sends a request to the Kad network to search for the ktzerules file.
5. Once the ktzerules files has been downloaded and encrypted, kad.dll runs the commands which ktzerules contains.

Encrypted kad.dill updates found on the Kad network

Below is a list of commands from an encrypted ktzerules file.

• SearchCfg – search Kad for a new ktzerules file
• LoadExe – download and run the executable file
• ConfigWrite – write to cfg.ini
• Search – search Kad for a file
• Publish – publish a file on Kad
• Knock – upload a new nodes.dat file to the C&C which contains a list of Kad server and clients IP addresses, including those infected with TDSS.

The most interesting command is Knock. This command allows the cybercriminals to create their own Kad P2P, the clients of which are exclusively TDSS-infected computers.

How publicly accessible and closed KAD networks overlap

Essentially, the TDSS botnet kad.dll module is more or less the same as cmd.dll in terms of control function. By running nodes.dat files containing a list of IP addresses of Kad clients in addition to ktzerlrules, which contains a command to download a new nodes.dat file from cybercriminal servers, the owners of the botnet can both include their infected computers in the publicly accessible Kad network and remove them from the network. The publicly accessible Kad network contains no more than 10 TDSS infected computers. This makes replacing the ktzerules file as inefficient as possible, which prevents other cybercriminals from taking control over the botnet. The total number of TDSS infected computers on the closed network number tens of thousands.

Kad.dll code responsible for sending commands from the TDL-4 cybercriminals

Furthermore, access to Kad makes it possible for the cybercriminals to download any files to botnet machines and make them accessible to the P2P users. This includes adult content files and stolen data bases.

The key threat that such a botnet poses is that even when its command and control centers are shut down, the botnet owners will not lose control over infected machines. However, the system does face two major obstacles:

1. By using the publicly accessible Kad network, the cybercriminals still run the risk of fake botnet commands.
2. When developing the kad.dll module for maintaining communication with the Kad network, code with a GPL license was used — this means that the authors are in violation of a licensing agreement.

Extended functionality

In addition to its known adware function, TDL-4 has added some new modules to its arsenal. This article has already touched on the ‘antivirus’ function and the P2P module. The owners of TDSS have also added several other modules to their malware, and now offer services such as anonymous network access via infected machines and 64-bit support.

The proxy server module

A file called Socks.dll has been added to TDSS’s svchost.exe; it is used to establish a proxy server on an infected computer. This module facilitates the anonymous viewing of Internet resources via infected machines.

Having control over such a large number of computers with this function, the cybercriminals have started offering anonymous Internet access as a service, at a cost of roughly $100 per month. For the sake of convenience, the cybercriminals have also developed a Firefox add-on that makes it easy to toggle between proxy servers within the browser.

Firefox add-on for anonymous Internet use via the TDSS botnet

64-bit support

The appearance of a 64-bit malicious driver in TDSS was another innovation in malware in 2010. In order to support operations with 64-bit systems in user mode, TDL-4 contains a module called cmd64.dll, a version of cmd.dll for 64-bit systems. However, due to the limitations of working with 64-bit programs, cmd64.dll code only provides communication with the botnet command and control servers.

List of botnet command and control center commands

Working with search engines

The cmd.dll module (see for details) remains almost completely unchanged. This module facilitates communication with the botnet command and control servers and substitutes search results, i.e. fraudulently manipulates advertising systems and search engines. The newest innovation in the list of commands for TDSS is the SetName command, which assigns a number to each infected computer. For search engines and banner networks, TDSS uses the same fake click and traffic technologies as similar malicious programs. However, TDSS has the longest list of search engines for which it substitutes search results.

List of search engines supported by TDSS

Botnet command and control servers

When running, TDSS uses several sources to obtain lists of command and control server addresses. The default list is taken from cmd.dll; if these addresses are inaccessible, then TDSS gets a list from cfg.ini. If for some reason no command and control server listed is accessible, then a list is created from an encrypted file called bckfg.tmp, which the bot receives from the command and control server on first connection. Since the beginning of the year, around 60 command and control centers have been identified across the globe.

Control server address	Server address at the beginning of February	Server address at the beginning of March	Percentage of mentions in C&C lists
01n02n4cx00.cc	noip	noip	0,05%
01n02n4cx00.com	91.212.226.5	noip	0,43%
01n20n4cx00.com	91.212.226.5	91.193.194.9	0,21%
0imh17agcla.com	77.79.13.28	91.207.192.22	0,80%
10n02n4cx00.com	194.28.113.20	194.28.113.20	0,22%
1il1il1il.com	91.212.158.72	91.212.158.72	6,89%
1l1i16b0.com	91.193.194.11	91.193.194.11	0,43%
34jh7alm94.asia	205.209.148.232	noip	0,03%
4gat16ag100.com	noip	noip	2,07%
4tag16ag100.com	178.17.164.129	91.216.122.250	6,69%
68b6b6b6.com	noip	noip	0,03%
69b69b6b96b.com	91.212.158.75	noip	6,89%
7gaur15eb71.com	195.234.124.66	195.234.124.66	6,85%
7uagr15eb71.com	noip	noip	2,07%
86b6b6b6.com	193.27.232.75	193.27.232.75	0,14%
86b6b96b.com	noip	noip	0,24%
9669b6b96b.com	193.27.232.75	193.27.232.75	0,22%
cap01tchaa.com	noip	noip	2,19%
cap0itchaa.com	noip	noip	0,58%
countri1l.com	91.212.226.6	91.212.158.72	6,89%
dg6a51ja813.com	91.216.122.250	93.114.40.221	6,85%
gd6a15ja813.com	91.212.226.5	91.212.226.5	2,07%
i0m71gmak01.com	noip	noip	0,80%
ikaturi11.com	91.212.158.75	noip	6,89%
jna0-0akq8x.com	77.79.13.28	77.79.13.28	0,80%
ka18i7gah10.com	93.114.40.221	93.114.40.221	6,85%
kai817hag10.com	noip	noip	2,07%
kangojim1.com	noip	noip	0,14%
kangojjm1.com	noip	noip	0,24%
kur1k0nona.com	68.168.212.21	68.168.212.21	2,19%
l04undreyk.com	noip	noip	0,58%
li1i16b0.com	noip	noip	0,05%
lj1i16b0.com	noip	noip	0,05%
lkaturi71.com	noip	noip	0,14%
lkaturl11.com	193.27.232.72	193.27.232.72	0,22%
lkaturl71.com	91.212.226.6	91.212.158.72	7,13%
lo4undreyk.com	68.168.212.18	93.114.40.221	2,19%
n16fa53.com	91.193.194.9	noip	0,05%
neywrika.in	noip	noip	0,14%
nichtadden.in	noip	noip	0,02%
nl6fa53.com	noip	noip	0,03%
nyewrika.in	noip	noip	0,03%
rukkeianno.com	noip	noip	0,08%
rukkeianno.in	noip	noip	0,08%
rukkieanno.in	noip	noip	0,03%
sh01cilewk.com	91.212.158.75	noip	2,19%
sho1cilewk.com	noip	noip	0,58%
u101mnay2k.com	noip	noip	2,19%
u101mnuy2k.com	noip	noip	0,58%
xx87lhfda88.com	91.193.194.8	noip	0,21%
zna61udha01.com	195.234.124.66	195.234.124.66	6,85%
zna81udha01.com	noip	noip	2,07%
zz87ihfda88.com	noip	noip	0,43%
zz87jhfda88.com	205.209.148.232	205.209.148.233	0,05%
zz87lhfda88.com	noip	noip	0,22%

A careful examination of this list reveals that the IP addresses of command and control centers are constantly changing, while some command and control centers are phased out altogether. These changes are due to the use of proxy servers, which hide the true location of the command and control centers.

Command and control server statistics

Despite the steps taken by cybercriminals to protect the command and control centers, knowing the protocol TDL-4 uses to communicate with servers makes it possible to create specially crafted requests and obtain statistics on the number of infected computers. Kaspersky Lab’s analysis of the data identified three different MySQL databases located in Moldova, Lithuania, and the USA, all of which supported used proxy servers to support the botnet.

According to these databases, in just the first three months of 2011 alone, TDL-4 infected 4,524,488 computers around the world.

Distribution of TDL-4 infected computers by country

Nearly one-third of all infected computers are in the United States. Going on the prices quoted by affiliate programs, this number of infected computers in the US is worth $250,000, a sum which presumably made its way to the creators of TDSS. Remarkably, there are no Russian users in the statistics. This may be explained by the fact that affiliate marketing programs do not offer payment for infecting computers located in Russia.

To be continued…

This heading of this last section has become traditional in our articles on TDSS. In this case, we have reason to believe that TDSS will continue to evolve. The fact that TDL-4 code shows active development — a rootkit for 64-bit systems, the malware running prior to operating system start launches, the use of exploits from Stuxnet’s arsenal, P2P technology, its own ‘antivirus’ and a lot more — place TDSS firmly in the ranks of the most technologically sophisticated, and most complex to analyze, malware. The botnet, with more than 4.5 million infected computers, is used by cybercriminals to manipulate adware and search engines, provide anonymous Internet access, and acts as a launch pad for other malware.

TDSS and the botnet that unites all the computers it infects will continue to cause problems for users and IT security professionals alike. The decentralized, server-less botnet is practically indestructible, as the Kido epidemic showed.