Backdoor.OptixPro.12 is a backdoor Trojan that gives an attacker unauthorized access to an infected computer. By default it opens port 3410 on the compromised computer.
Compromises security settings: Allows unauthorized access to the compromised machine. Disables antivirus and firewall oftware by attempting to terminate the active processes.
When Backdoor.OptixPro.12 runs, it performs the following actions:
It copies itself as %system%\Kernel32.exe. NOTE: %system% is a variable. The Trojan locates the System folder and copies itself to that location. By default this is C:\Windows\System (Windows 95/98/Me), C:\Winnt\System32 (Windows NT/2000), or C:\Windows\System32 (Windows XP).
so that the Trojan starts each time that you start Windows.
The Trojan attempts to disable antivirus and firewall programs by terminating the active processes.
If the operating system is Windows 95/98/Me, the Trojan registers itself as a service process, so that it continues to run after you log off. In this case, Backdoor.OptixPro.12 will close only when the system is shut down.
Backdoor.OptixPro.12 relies on an officially undocumented function, WNetEnumCachedPasswords, that exists only in versions of Mpr.dll that are written for Windows 95/98/Me. It uses this function to obtain 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 retrieves the properties of the current default phonebook file.It then retrieves the following connection information for the last successfully established RAS connection:
The phone number
The user's user name
The user's password
The Trojan uses this information to authenticate its access to the remote access server.
The Trojan installs hook procedures into a hook chain to monitor the system for any keyboard and mouse messages. The keyboard and mouse hook procedures process the messages and pass the hook information to the next hook procedure in the current hook chain. This permits Backdoor.OptixPro.12 to intercept keystrokes, as well as text that appears on the screen.
After Backdoor.OptixPro.12 is installed, it notifies the client side using ICQ pager or email and establishes a connection with the hacker through a password-protected authorization.
The commands allow the hacker to perform any of 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
Alter many system parameters, such as screen resolution and system colors
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.
NOTE: These instructions are for all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.
Update the virus definitions.
Do one of the following:
Windows 95/98/Me: Restart the computer in Safe mode.
Windows NT/2000/XP: Stop the Trojan process that is running.
Run a full system scan, and delete all files that are detected as Backdoor.OptixPro.12.
For details on how to do this, read the following instructions. To update the virus definitions:
There are two ways to do this:
Run LiveUpdate. LiveUpdate is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions. These virus definitions have undergone full quality assurance testing by Symantec Security Response and are posted to the LiveUpdate servers one time 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 have undergone full quality assurance testing by Symantec Security Response. They 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 in Safe mode or stop the 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 stop the Trojan process:
Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete one time.
Click Task Manager.
Click the Processes tab.
Double-click the Image Name column header to sort the processes alphabetically.
Scroll through the list, and look for Kernel32.exe.
If you find the file, click it, and then click End Process.
Close the Task Manager.
To scan for and delete the infected files:
Start your Symantec antivirus program, and make sure that it is configured to scan all files.
If any files are detected as infected with Backdoor.OptixPro.12, 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.
Click Start, and click Run. The Run dialog box appears.
Type regedit and then click OK. The Registry Editor opens.
