Threat Database Rootkits Rootkit.TDSS

Rootkit.TDSS

By GoldSparrow in Rootkits

Threat Scorecard

Threat Level: 80 % (High)
Infected Computers: 399
First Seen: November 30, 2010
OS(es) Affected: Windows

The TDSS Rootkit has become extremely widespread since TDSS Rootkit's beginnings in 2008. PC security analysts indicate that this rootkit presents exceptional difficulties for TDSS Rootkit's study and treatment because of TDSS Rootkit's very nature. The TDSS Rootkit infects drivers, meaning that TDSS Rootkit is loaded before the operating system itself. This implies an infection that is very deep and very challenging to remove. Usually, specialized tools are needed to detect and remove the TDSS Rootkit from an infected computer system.

The History of the TDSS Rootkit

The first versions of the TDSS Rootkit are known as TDL-1 or Rootkit.Win32.Clbd.a, because of TDSS Rootkit's ability to infect the driver clbdriver-sys and the clbdll.dll DLL file. Some parts of the original TDSS Rootkit remain in today's newest versions of this extremely dangerous infection. TDL-1 has the capability of hiding itself and other files, executing high-level functions, and injecting malicious code. The TDSS Rootkit also protects itself by displaying an error message reading "STATUS_TOO_MANY_SECRETS" when trying to open the directories needed to remove this rootkit.

The next version of the TDSS Rootkit, TDL-2 made its appearance in spring of 2009. Its main feature is that the rootkit was encrypted to make it much harder for security researchers to analyze TDSS Rootkit. The hackers behind the TDSS Rootkit also included random segments from Shakespeare's Hamlet to confuse researchers further.

In the autumn of 2009, the next generation of the TDSS Rootkit started appearing. Security researchers indicate that the TDL-3 generation of the TDSS Rootkit is particularly malignant and especially hard to remove. The main trouble with TDL-3 is the fact the hackers behind it update TDSS Rootkit constantly. There is a constant arms race between the PC security experts and the hackers; with each advancement in anti-rootkit technology, the hackers release a new update to undo it.

The TDSS Rootkit and Online Scams

Hackers use the TDSS Rootkit to make money through affiliate marketing. While affiliate marketing can be a completely legal activity, the hackers' version of affiliate marketing involves attracting visitors and unwary victims to infected websites associated with various kinds of malware. The TDSS Rootkit is also strongly related to large botnets, typically with a number close to twenty thousand infected computers, which are sold or rented out to criminal organizations. The creators of the TDSS Rootkit are thought to be from the Russian Federation. The TDSS Rootkit botnets have been used for a wide range of criminal activities, from DDoS attacks to sending massive amounts of spam emails.

Aliases

15 security vendors flagged this file as malicious.

Anti-Virus Software Detection
Panda Generic Trojan
AVG Generic16.BRWH
Symantec Hacktool.Rootkit
Sophos Mal/Generic-A
TrendMicro BKDR_TIDIES.SMA
AntiVir TR/Agent.42496.27
BitDefender Trojan.Generic.3238155
Avast Win32:Jifas-DT
NOD32 a variant of Win32/Olmarik.SR
CAT-QuickHeal Trojan.Agent.ATV
McAfee+Artemis DNSChanger!dd
eTrust-Vet Win32/ASuspect.HGOJO
AntiVir TR/Crypt.XPACK.Gen3
NOD32 Win32/Olmarik.XH
Avast Win32:Rootkit-gen

SpyHunter Detects & Remove Rootkit.TDSS

File System Details

Rootkit.TDSS may create the following file(s):
# File Name MD5 Detections
1. PRAGMAd.sys 4fc1255817092de5c285440cf477035e 98
2. PRAGMAd.sys afc6795bb909749f446f57e36f7b33e3 64
3. PRAGMAd.sys 4a2dccdd2a14acce0dc2bcfc01b01b15 46
4. PRAGMAd.sys 1d177f19440f4b4be104adcce3341685 30
5. PRAGMAd.sys fd8913513a87ed566c8c47f7cf2961c0 25
6. PRAGMAd.sys 421af6709d670e5b97a8c37e80144343 22
7. memchek.sys 1ca0d8ee82db8012de42b16f2ef69674 14
8. usbxbox.sys b3da42dfcd9851c24c9b09b8c188266d 13
9. diskchk.sys e94d859753bb68f113b88e8b78607776 11
10. PRAGMAd.sys 4a672d94142ea8056ff589377fb8339b 10
11. PRAGMAd.sys 0d72febb1914c0d7a379b9cc2f6bb8ff 10
12. PRAGMAd.sys a3f92e9bf557198dc39d4045d2ec2144 8
13. PRAGMAd.sys 0aeb71ef75d921539e6e02dfa2c12e08 8
14. tcppid.sys c72311b8d604a3e3e9b36df733f30843 7
15. PRAGMAd.sys 184110fe4f5c6a4416b9decee90a2d9f 6
16. isaxbox.sys 5a7eef7dcdae6912afe7f50983d5520f 5
17. PRAGMAd.sys c907276d48943001a4745b6d4e254c13 3
18. PRAGMAd.sys 9d39fe1b36199d5717cae14ed3680e67 3
19. PRAGMAd.sys e671ab67d233cb4e87b1b679a92a0ed0 2
20. PRAGMAd.sys e2c5ffec5eb9612eea2d5ce22fdcfe09 2
21. PRAGMAd.sys b52194d21487e3cf2178950228552ac5 2
22. PRAGMAd.sys aca6e953ff8d2f536fd1d297e0486734 2
23. PRAGMAd.sys 2b5b356793a655697edd8c58b2964fe2 2
24. PRAGMAd.sys f4c09fd7833565264f8feb1349a558a1 1
25. PRAGMAd.sys 0cc76a2452fabfa4d6e98082d415201e 1
26. PRAGMAd.sys 90046fd8e3bee623a26dfccb6a602746 1
27. _VOIDhrotxiltat.sys 89b56f6143f7c1ad44cd10f46700b9da 1

Trending

Most Viewed

Loading...