Classification

Category :

Malware

Type :

Backdoor

Aliases :

Lecna, Backdoor.Win32.Lecna.b

Summary

Lecna is a backdoor that allows remote access to infected machine. It can also utilize rootkit techniques to hide its actions. It may be installed via Microsoft Jet Database file using a vulnerability in msjet40.dll.

Removal

Based on the settings of your F-Secure security product, it will either move the file to the quarantine where it cannot spread or cause harm, or remove it.

A False Positive is when a file is incorrectly detected as harmful, usually because its code or behavior resembles known harmful programs. A False Positive will usually be fixed in a subsequent database update without any action needed on your part. If you wish, you may also:

  • Check for the latest database updates

    First check if your F-Secure security program is using the latest updates, then try scanning the file again.

  • Submit a sample

    After checking, if you still believe the file is incorrectly detected, you can submit a sample of it for re-analysis.

    Note: If the file was moved to quarantine, you need to collect the file from quarantine before you can submit it.

  • Exclude a file from further scanning

    If you are certain that the file is safe and want to continue using it, you can exclude it from further scanning by the F-Secure security product.

    Note: You need administrative rights to change the settings.

Technical Details

Installation to system

When run, the backdoor copies itself under %SysDir% directory using the name 'iexplore.exe'. Then it creates a mutex named 'MicrosoftZj' for ensuring it will not run multiple copies of the backdoor at the same time. It installs the following registry key to make sure it will be executed next time the system is started:

[HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"iexplore.exe" = "iexplore.exe"

 

The backdoor also creates the following registry keys:

[HKLM\Software\Microsoft\CurrentNetInf]
"pid"

= %ProcessId%
"hostid" = %HostId%
 

%ProcessId% and %HostId% are random values used to identify the backdoor.

If the backdoor is running under Windows NT-based system, it drops and activates a file 'USBTest.sys'. This file is a rootkit component. See more information on section 'Rootkit'. If the system is Win9x-based, the worm tries to hide the process by issuing Win32 API call 'RegisterServiceProcess'.

The backdoor may also leave the following files on infected system:

%WinDir%\netsvc.exe
%SysDir%\cmdLine.exe
 

Filename 'netsvc.exe' is used by the backdoor when downloading and executing additional files (see the section Backdoor below) and 'cmdLine.exe' is used in uninstallation. It is a simple executable that deletes a file given as command line argument. It is embedded in the backdoors body.

Backdoor

After the installation, Lecna starts to communicate with the server part using specially crafted HTTP queries. If needed, it can also make a use of HTTP proxy settings it finds in the registry. The server can instruct the backdoor to execute the following actions:

Basic file operations (copy, delete, rename, find, execute)
Download/upload files
Process operations (list, kill)
Spawn interactive command shell
Registry operations (create/delete keys/values)
Enumerate shares on remote computers
Uninstall the backdoor
 

The backdoor may also download and execute additional components from several remote servers.

Rootkit

Lecna carries an encrypted driver file 'USBTest.sys' in its body which it drops in directory '%SysDir%\drivers'. The driver is activated using a standard Windows Service Manager API. This driver implements the following rootkit functionality:

Hide network connections
Hide processes
Hide files and directories
Hide registry entries
 

When the driver is activate, the backdoor instructs it to hide its file, process and registry entry, as well as connections to servers it uses for communication.