Asprox: mnbenio.ru

mnbenio.ru is a new Asprox SQL injection domain that has been active in the past 24 hours, the following four domains are the most active:

• mnbenio.ru
• mnicbre.ru
• pkseio.ru
• vtg43.ru

It does seem that the SQL injection attacks are becoming less widespread, probably partly because SQL servers are being hardened, but some vulnerable SQL servers have remained untouched by the latest round of attacks. Possibly the SQL injection gangs are concentrating on bigger fish? Like the recent attack on BusinessWeek.com perhaps?

Asprox: mnicbre.ru, pkseio.ru and vtg43.ru

The domains used in the Asprox SQL Injection attacks have been stable for a few days now, but yesterday some new .ru domains appeared: mnicbre.ru, pkseio.ru and vtg43.ru. The domains are registered through NAUNET again with the following registation details:

domain: MNICBRE.RU
type: CORPORATE
nserver: ns2.mnicbre.ru. 75.181.3.122
nserver: ns3.mnicbre.ru. 68.197.137.239
nserver: ns1.mnicbre.ru. 76.240.151.177
state: REGISTERED, DELEGATED
person: Private Person
phone: +7 772 7727091
fax-no: +7 772 7727091
e-mail: retyi1111@yahoo.com
registrar: NAUNET-REG-RIPN
created: 2008.09.16
paid-till: 2009.09.16
source: TC-RIPN

The following domains have been active over the past 24 hours. Block these or check your logs for them (new ones are in bold):

• 22net.ru
• 64asp.ru
• 92prt.ru
• acr34.ru
• asl39.ru
• fst9.ru
• mnicbre.ru
• pkseio.ru
• sel92.ru
• vtg43.ru

Doug Stanhope

I first stumbled across US stand-up comic Doug Stanhope [link probably NSFW] some years ago and was in equal parts horrified and amused by his work. By chance, I found out that he was in the UK (at the Leicester Square Theatre) so Mrs Dynamoo and myself booked some tickets to go and see him live.

You have to understand that Stanhope is pretty much the definition of "edgy". He seems to have no taboos and no fear.. as long as he's had some beer. Understand that some of his topics include suicide, gynaecology, death, drug abuse, overpopulation, abortion and Sarah Palin. Sometimes combined (don't click if you are offended by.. well, offensive stuff).

Even people who aren't easily offended are likely to be offended by something he will say. But on the other hand, perhaps some of those observations on the human condition are more profound than you would think.

So, Stanhope was on form and really, really funny. And yes.. there were several times when I thought "no.. he can't be saying that!". I could go into details, but if you like this kind of thing then it would spoil the surprise... I think it's the first time I've ever had to watch a gig like this from between my fingers.

Anyway, Stanhope is in London and Manchester for most of September, and then back in the US doing a tour for October and November (itinerary here). Or you could purvey yourself one of his fine DVDs on Amazon.

Dating scams

Dating scams are usually a variant of the advanced fee fraud - some pretty girl (probably some ugly bloke in reality) sends you some random photos and explains that they want to move to your country and move in with you.. but can they have some money first? The basic operation of these scams is described here. To make it look more credible, sometimes fake dating sites are set up to give the whole thing an air of legitimacy.

This current batch of fake sites is being advertised with an email similar to the following:

i need you

i am Nice Girl good looking girl who is looking to chat with you.
e-mail me back at UcWkS@lam2you.com

i will reply back with some really nice pictures.

The domain lam2you.com has a corresponding web site on 79.135.167.51 calling itself "Online sexiest dating site". As it happens, there are a whole bunch of other domains on the same server, also describing themselves as "Online sexiest dating site", all best avoided.

• Amnocx.com
• Anandaperumal.com
• Bardline.com
• Benrd.com
• Bestdre.info
• Cardrealc.com
• Centralrd.com
• Cowarddean.com
• Direktmal.com
• Dracingsite.info
• Dracingworld.info
• Draic.info
• Dreguide.info
• Drkin.info
• Drmarksite.info
• Drmarkworld.info
• Drseusssite.info
• Equipyard.com
• Evram.info
• Ezelive.info
• Ezrdhome.com
• Firstlam.com
• Fordhx.com
• Frcis.info
• Freegbl.info
• Freeksite.info
• Freeldp.info
• Friguide.info
• Frutis-basket.info
• Gardevin.com
• Gbbed.info
• Gbizc.info
• Gbladx.info
• Gblhome.info
• Gblwizard.info
• Gbowrxx.info
• Glocentral.info
• Gloplanet.info
• Gobobrom.com
• Gocarthq.com
• Gocartutah.com
• Goldpug.info
• Gosfordw.com
• Greatrom.com
• Guyvr.info
• Hardjam.com
• Hote2youx.info
• Hyperlam.com
• Imalonline.com
• Justgbl.info
• Justrd.com
• Justvre.info
• Ldphome.info
• Ldpwizard.info
• Lesdv.com
• Lesjr.com
• Letsgocart.com
• Lgbidxx.info
• Maldirekt.com
• Malkostenlos.com
• Malplatz.com
• Malprojekt.com
• Malwelt.com
• Malzentrale.com
• Mediagocart.com
• Medmallist.com
• Meinmal.com
• Menziesmalvern.com
• Moonboardm.com
• Morerd.com
• Mygbl.info
• Nitgbx.info
• Nvromx.info
• Officialgbl.info
• Officialldp.info
• Officialrd.com
• Oldpee.info
• Onlinegbl.info
• Ovrom.info
• Pacanimal.com
• Phillymedicalmal.com
• Qualitaetmal.com
• Razales.com
• Rd2you.com
• Rdnation.com
• Rdplanet.com
• Saravanaperumal.com
• Searchesrom.com
• Shemalglobal.com
• Supergbl.info
• Superldp.info
• Superrd.com
• Superromics.com
• Tomalonline.com
• Topeguidex.info
• Virtualgbl.info
• Virtualglo.info
• Virtualldp.info
• Virtuellmal.com
• Vrehome.info
• Warmalonline.com
• Wildpin.info
• Wirelesamerica.com
• Wizardrd.com
• Worldpivot.info
• Worldplayservices.info
• Yourfr.info
• Yourgbl.info
• Yourldp.info
• Capvr.info
• Davidre.info
• Virtualvre.info
• Vreproject.info
• Vrewizard.info

One thing of note is that the name servers used here are ns1.droreal.com and ns2.droreal.com which appears to be a domain name used to support other dating scam sites.

Asprox: 22net.ru, 4net9.ru, 64asp.ru, 92prt.ru and fst9.ru

These are the domains active in the Asprox SQL Injection attack in the past 24 hours, new ones are in bold. Block these and/or check your logs for them.

• 22net.ru
• 4net9.ru
• 51com.ru
• 64asp.ru
• 92prt.ru
• acr34.ru
• fst9.ru
• sel92.ru

SpamCop phish

Some people will phish for anything - in this case they are trying to get access to SpamCop accounts. Go figure. Reply to address is 2020sarah@live.com.

---

Subject: UPDATE YOUR ACCOUNT / SPAMCOP.NET
From: "Admin@spamcop.net"
Date: Wed, September 10, 2008 4:54 pm
Cc: recipient list not shown:;
Priority: Normal

This is a WebNews Email Account Update
Please see the bottom of this mailing on this information.
-----------------------------------------------------------
SPAMCOP.NET WEBMAIL
INTERNET SERVICE WEBSITE WISH TO INFORM YOU THAT WE HAVE
SOME PROBLEMS ABOUT EACH CUSTOMER ACCOUNT EMAIL. DUE TO
ERROR CODE 334409.

WE DISCOVERD THAT IN FEW DAYS FROM NOW EACH CUSTOMER WILL
NOT BE ABLE TO ACCESS HIS OR HER EMAIL ACCOUNT. IN THAT
REGARD,YOU ARE REQUIRED TO SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND
PASSWORD FOR A NEW ACCOUNT UPDATE.

YOU ARE ADVISED TO IMMEDIATELY SEND US THE REQUIRED
INFORMATION SO AS TO ENABLE US IMMEDIATELY UPDATE YOUR
ACCOUNT.

Note:You have to understand that the reason why we are not
sending this message from our own private account.This is
due to some technical problem we are having right now.

BELOW THE INFORMATION RQRUIRED FOR ACCOUT UPDATE

1)Full Email Address:
2)password:
3)date of birth:

Thanks for your understanding.

SPAMCOP.NET WEBMAIL INTERNET SERVICE

---

PestPatrol: SillyDl FFL in wuauclt.exe

It looks like CA PestPatrol might have a false positive, detecting SillyDl FFL in C:\windows\system32\wuauclt.exe. This is a component of Windows Update, and in the case of the false positive it is a 124,184 byte file with an internal version number of 5.8.0.2469.

PestPatrol does not appear to be trying to delete the file, it is merely blocking access to it. Updating your Windows Update components should clear the problem. CA usually fix these false positives in a day or so.

The current signature version is 2008.9.9.15. Note that the PestPatrol engine is used in some other products, not all of which have the CA name on them.

Asprox: net83.ru, acr34.ru, asl39.ru and net83.ru

Another bunch of very fresh Asprox domains being used in the Asprox SQL Injection attack, registered at Naunet to email address retyi111@yahoo.com. Check your logs or block access to these sites.

• 51com.ru
• acr34.ru
• asl39.ru
• net83.ru

SQL Injection: ave2.cn / %61%76%65%32%2E%63%6E

This SQL Injection attack seems to be aimed at Chinese language sites. The code injected points to http://%61%76%65%32%2E%63%6E which is trivially encoded and is a reference to ave2.cn hosted on 219.129.239.251.

ave2.cn then calls asp-18.cn, asp-12.cn and www.hxg006.cn (all hosted on 219.129.239.251).

Between them, these sites carry a VERY wide variety of exploits, including MS06-014, GLIEDown (for the Baofeng Storm StormPlayer), MS snpvw.Snapshot viewer (Outlook Express), DPClient.Vod (Xunlei Thunder DapPlayer), Flash Player and RealPlayer. There are possibly other exploits mixed in, so I would regard ave2.cn as being VERY dangerous.

Robtex reports the following domains on 219.129.239.251, all of which are probably worth avoiding:

• hs7yue.cn
• hxg008.cn
• jzm015.cn
• doups.cn
• hxg008.cn
• jzm013.cn
• jzm014.cn
• jzm015.cn
• qingfeng01.cn

Asprox: 64do.com

Possibly the final Asprox domain on the day in 64do.com - add this to your block or scan list.

Asprox: "aspx" domains

Keep an eye out for these following Asprox domains, all recently registered to the email address druid00091@aol.com. Block them or scan your logs for them.

• 24aspx.com
• 2aspx.net
• 6aspx.com
• 9aspx.net
• aspx46.com

These domains follow the same pattern as this one and this one.

Asprox: 19ssl.net

Another "druid00091@aol.com" domain (following on from this one and this one) , this type 19ssl.net, which is being actively used as part of the SQL injection attacks. The top level of this domain also has a copy of the (presumably legitimate) nescodirect.com site (this behavious is noted elsewhere).

Domain name: 19ssl.net

Registrant Contact:
City22 llc
Alex Williamos druid00091@aol.com
+1.8827721124 fax: +1.8827721124
321113 po box
New York NY 12131
us

Administrative Contact:
Alex Williamos druid00091@aol.com
+1.8827721124 fax: +1.8827721124
321113 po box
New York NY 12131
us

Technical Contact:
Alex Williamos druid00091@aol.com
+1.8827721124 fax: +1.8827721124
321113 po box
New York NY 12131
us

Billing Contact:
Alex Williamos druid00091@aol.com
+1.8827721124 fax: +1.8827721124
321113 po box
New York NY 12131
us

DNS:
ns1.19ssl.net
ns2.19ssl.net
ns3.19ssl.net

Asprox: 24aspx.com

The latest domain name used in the recent Asprox SQL Injection attacks appears to be 24aspx.com. Perhaps the Asprox guys are boasting a little with the domain name? Certainly these SQL injection attacks still seem to serve a useful purpose for them, although the number of vulnerable servers keeps dropping. Anyway, block this one or check your logs for it.

The email addressed used to register this domain is identical to the one used for the "Luksus Jobs" scam email. No big news here, the Asprox botnet is used for a wide variety of things, it's just odd to see druid00091@aol.com come up twice in such a short period.

It's also notable that they've switched back to .com from .ru, but this time registered through Chinese registrar BIZCN.COM.

Domain name: 24aspx.com

Registrant Contact:
City22 llc
Alex Williamos druid00091@aol.com
+1.8827721124 fax: +1.8827721124
321113 po box
New York NY 12131
us

Administrative Contact:
Alex Williamos druid00091@aol.com
+1.8827721124 fax: +1.8827721124
321113 po box
New York NY 12131
us

Technical Contact:
Alex Williamos druid00091@aol.com
+1.8827721124 fax: +1.8827721124
321113 po box
New York NY 12131
us

Billing Contact:
Alex Williamos druid00091@aol.com
+1.8827721124 fax: +1.8827721124
321113 po box
New York NY 12131
us

DNS:
ns1.24aspx.com
ns2.24aspx.com
ns3.24aspx.com

Created: 2008-09-06
Expires: 2009-09-06

"Job Opportunity at Luksus" / luksus-jobs.org scam

Luksus Media is a wholly legitimate Finnish company, but this attempt to recruit a money mule does not come from Luksus, just from a company trying to trade on its name.

This scam is being run by the same people behind the Asprox SQL injection attacks that have been doing to rounds (more information after the email).

---

Subject: Job Opportunity at Luksus

We have reviewed your resume and would like to introduce you to our
current vacancy.
Luksus, with headquarters in Helsinki, Finland, serves the luxury
lifestyle and offers unparalleled access to the finest luxury
goods. We offer a unique mix of brands, partnerships, and product
expertise. We are currently hiring, work at home positions, to
provide administrative assistance with sales in North America.
Candidates for the job should possess excellent organizational
skills as well as the ability to efficiently multi-task. Ideal
candidates have a strong focus on day-to-day operational
excellence. The candidate should be motivated, proactive, be able
to learn and adapt quickly.

Other duties include, but are not limited to:

* Incorporating effective priorities for the virtual office function
* Administer day-to-day financial responsibilities for clients
* Reporting online daily
* Preparing brief summary reports, and weekly financial reports

Salary part-time (3 hours per day, Monday-Friday): $1,200/month,
plus commission.

If you are interested in this position please send us an email to
Sandra.Collins@luksus-jobs.org expressing your interest and we will
forward you the detailed job description and the working agreement.

Thank You,
Luksus Team

---

Normally, WHOIS data is pretty useless, but sometimes the email address can give a clue:

Domain ID: D153950800-LROR
Domain Name: LUKSUS-JOBS.ORG
Created On: 28-Aug-2008 11: 34: 57 UTC
Last Updated On: 28-Aug-2008 14: 23: 25 UTC
Expiration Date: 28-Aug-2009 11: 34: 57 UTC
Sponsoring Registrar: Bizcn.com, Inc. (R1248-LROR)
Status: CLIENT TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Status: TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Registrant ID: orgfm19923291709
Registrant Name: Fero Muia
Registrant Organization: Fero Muia
Registrant Street1: 3213 po box
Registrant Street2:
Registrant Street3:
Registrant City: New York
Registrant State/Province: NY
Registrant Postal Code: 12310
Registrant Country: US
Registrant Phone: +1.9917721121
Registrant Phone Ext.:
Registrant FAX: +1.9917721121
Registrant FAX Ext.:
Registrant Email: druid00091@aol.com
Admin ID: orgfm19923292728
Admin Name: Fero Muia
Admin Organization: Fero Muia
Admin Street1: 3213 po box
Admin Street2:
Admin Street3:
Admin City: New York
Admin State/Province: NY
Admin Postal Code: 12310
Admin Country: US
Admin Phone: +1.9917721121
Admin Phone Ext.:
Admin FAX: +1.9917721121
Admin FAX Ext.:
Admin Email: druid00091@aol.com
Tech ID: orgfm19923293349
Tech Name: Fero Muia
Tech Organization: Fero Muia
Tech Street1: 3213 po box
Tech Street2:
Tech Street3:
Tech City: New York
Tech State/Province: NY
Tech Postal Code: 12310
Tech Country: US
Tech Phone: +1.9917721121
Tech Phone Ext.:
Tech FAX: +1.9917721121
Tech FAX Ext.:
Tech Email: druid00091@aol.com
Name Server: NS1.RELEASEBPB.COM
Name Server: NS2.RELEASEBPB.COM

druid00091@aol.com is an address being used to register today's latest SQL injection domains too, proving that they are linked. releasebpb.com is a set of name servers which are only associated with malware domains, ns1.releasebpb.com is on 194.150.120.47 on ns2.releasebpb.com is on 20.31.85.15.

This type of fraud doesn't use a website to entice people, but it is looking for an email response. In this case, email is delivered to mx.luksus-jobs.org on 12.192.82.225 which is on the AT&T network.

It's hard to tell which of these IPs are part of the Asprox botnet and which ones are rented (usually with fake credit card details). Nonetheless, it gives a glimpse into just how large and efficient these operations can be.

CNOOC (www.cnooc.com.cn) scam

CNOOC (www.cnooc.com.cn) are a legitimate oil exploration and petrochemicals firm in China. The following job offer is a money mule scam, NOT from CNOOC but from someone pretending to be them. Don't be tempted.

---

CNOOC Oil Base Group Ltd.
Address:6 Dongzhimenwai Xiaojie,
Dongcheng District, Beijing, China 100027
Telephone:010-8452101, 010-8453198
Fax:010-6460250
EMail:cnooccorporation@yahoo.com.hk
Website:www.cnooc.com.cn


Good Day,

JOB OPPORTUNITY


We are exporters base in China , we deal on Oilexploitation, technical
service, chemicals, fertilizar production, refining,natural gas, power
generation,financial services, logistic services and new energies
development. Visit our corporate website: www.cnooc.com.cn


We have costumers in Asia, Europe, America , Australia , Canada and
Africa.

Our company (CNOOC) was established in 1982. We are interested in
employing
company services, to work with us as our payment agent our north America
customers will make payment to you on our behalf for goods and raw
materials we supplied to our customers in North America.

If your company is interested in working with us,we will be
very glad, Subject to your satisfaction, your company reward of
working with us as a Payment Officer is 5% of any Payment
your company receive from our costumers.

Most payment ranges from $300,000.00 to $3.3 Million US Dollars
Please if you are interested forward the following info to us:

1. Your Full Name:
2. Payment should be made to: Company?s Name:
3. Your Full Contact Address:
4. Phone/Fax Number:
5. Occupation:


Thanks for your corporations.


Yours Sincerely,


Mr. Wu Mengfei
Chief Financial Officer.

---

Asprox: jic2.ru

Another new addition to the list of Asprox domains is jic2.ru, again registered via Naunet, so block this or check your logs for access. Again, searching your logs for ".ru/script.js"will help locate suspect activity.

"Bangui" malware domains

A whole set of domains distributing malware, currently based on 206.53.51.119 and allegedly registered to someone in Bangui (although most likely it is the RBN again). These domains are being used in blog spam and also what appears to be PHP and ASP injection attacks.

Unlike some injection attacks, the pages carry some scraped text that's relevant to the URL. Combine this with the inbound links created through spam and injection attacks and you have a very black hat SEO campaign. Yahoo! seems to be more prone to this type of SEO than Google.

The pages on these domains use a javascript redirector (menu.js) to end up at a set of fake video and rogue anti-malware sites that install all sorts of nasty things.. again, these endpoints have the hallmark of the RBN.

• Afwwwf.info
• Apostit.info
• Bcuioc.info
• Bglkhg.org
• Bihuru.org
• Biiwhw.info
• Bikgfjr.info
• Bioblor.info
• Bioqw.info
• Biowfr.info
• Bkjksl.org
• Bkssdoue.info
• Bloiw.org
• Bocaca.org
• Cascaa.info
• Cbasoa.info
• Cbr1000rrxx.info
• Csccons.org
• Cskaa.org
• Eomnb.info
• Fasca.info
• Fasfw555.info
• Fasw.org
• Fbkshk.org
• Fdsaa.org
• Firstnax.org
• Fjkjfjoi.info
• Fjwiojnc.info
• Flsab.info
• Foeww.org
• Foxrat.info
• Fsaff.org
• Fsafvn.info
• Fsancao.info
• Fsanp.org
• Fsaqq.info
• Fsaw.org
• Fsfa22rr.info
• Fsfkg.info
• Fsfworg
• Fsgkle.org
• Fsjklhg.info
• Fskjhgkb.info
• Fullmediabase.net
• Fwe75r4fyf65.cn
• Fwfds.org
• Fwfisow.org
• Fwjijc.org
• Fwoijwh.org
• Gcoigkm.org
• Gewop.info
• Gjgkgjhew.org
• Golodnijya.org
• Gucwd.org
• Hellodolly5k.net
• Hellodomy5k.net
• Hhkjj.org
• Hkljccc.info
• Hodnejgreat.info
• Hofhwbc.info
• Hohotv.org
• Homosapien5k.net
• Hrr553.info
• Hudinarjiii.cn
• Itgfbn.org
• Jfldsh.org
• Jflhg.info
• Jlbyuo.org
• Jnbq.info
• Jowely.org
• Jplhnh.info
• Juiok.org
• Jumpsert.org
• Jwionw.info
• Kiwedox.org
• Kjhiofw.org
• Kjhlfsh.org
• Knwponc.org
• Madnes.info
• Mazafaker.com
• Mfpwjmc.org
• Mkmcsss.org
• Mpfwmcs.org
• Mpkcmzz.org
• Mpmccz.org
• Mybestz5k.net
• Nado1000traffa.info
• Nfeow.org
• Nfwojw.org
• Nfwon.org
• Nhphpkj.info
• Nifa422.info
• Njpaw.info
• Nosdsh.org
• Pokoder.org
• Sonvfs.org
• Werbin.org
• Wfwcn.org
• Wn59whgp3w.cn
• Workfox.info
• Yzfr1yamahad.info

Asprox: 2b24.ru

These domains seem to be today's current Asprox SQL Injection domains - check for them in your logs or block them. 2b24.ru seems to be new, the rest have been around for a few days. The exploit is still using a script called script.js to run.

• 2b24.ru
• cg33.ru
• cv2e.ru
• cv32.ru
• mc2n.ru
• mj5f.ru
• oc32.ru
• vwsc.ru

"WorldWide Offshore Integrated Systems Inc"

Another money mule scam, this time claiming to be from "WorldWide Offshore Integrated Systems Inc" of New York, a company that does not exist according to the New York Division of Corporations. Also, there are no Google matches for that search term... except that there will be since I've posted this. Oh, you can figure out what I mean.

Originating IP is 78.175.218.143 in Turkey. Also, I can't think of many "WorldWide " corporations that have to use Yahoo!'s free email service.

---

Subject: Looking for a job? Good chance for you!
Date: Mon, September 1, 2008 4:38 pm



Hello.

WorldWide Offshore Integrated Systems Inc. is a custom software development company
located in New York, USA.

We offer full cycle custom software programming services, from product idea,
offshore software development to outsourcing support and enhancement.
WorldWide Offshore Integrated Systems Inc. employs a large pool of software
engineers coming from different backgrounds.
We are able to balance product development efforts and project duration to your
business needs.

WorldWide Offshore Integrated Systems Inc. customer service department is currently
offering employment for residents
in order to provide it's new branch with qualified personnel.
The private client support desk is responsible for following up client enquiries,
helping the clients to understand how WorldWide Offshore Integrated Systems Inc. can
save them money on foreign
currency transactions, and developing new business through referrals.

First of all you need no prior experience, even though we are value
your current knowledge, but we will provide all necessary training when
you will join us.

If you're a customer service fanatic, and enjoy working in a challenging and
rewarding environment,
please see below for our current list of opportunities.

Requirements:

è Proficiency in MS Word, Excel & Internet
è Excellent communication skills both oral and written

- This work does not require any experience!
- This is a work at home

You will be paid USD 2500 per 2 weeks.

Should you have any questions regarding this letter,
our offer of employment or anything else, please write me an e-mail.
We are excited to have you join our organization and look forward to working with you.


If you are interested in our position reply to e-mail worldwide61@yahoo.com


Best regards,
Katrin Olley
Employment Manager

---

Asprox: cg33.ru, cv2e.ru, cv32.ru, mc2n.ru, oc32.ru and vwsc.ru

Another bunch of Asprox SQL injection domains to block or monitor for, all quite new:

• cg33.ru
• cv2e.ru
• cv32.ru
• mc2n.ru
• oc32.ru
• vwsc.ru

Alternatively, look for .ru/script.js in your logs which should pick up most of them.

Update: here's another one - mj5f.ru

Atrivo / Intercage

Atrivo, Inc (also known as Intercage) and their main customer, Esthost (related to Estdomains) might well be a familiar name to people working in IT security. Atrivo is based is California and is run by one Emil Kacperski, so it has always surprised me that such a small operator should be a persistent host of malware.

Well, Atrivo's activities have not gone un-noticed by HostExploit.com who have produced a whitepaper and diagram and a YouTube video explaining how Atrivo's network is involved in a typical PC exploit.

Brian Krebs at the Washington Post has a comprehensive commentary. Note in particular the comments from "Emil K." at the bottom of the article. The RBN blog also has a comment here. Fascinating stuff.

Where a link turns into a lawsuit

I've seen some daft excesses in local politics in my time, but over Sheboygan, Wisconsin, things have taken a new twist... with a lawsuit over a link.

Jennifer Reisinger operates a website called Sheboygan Spirit which appears to be very critical of local officials and also a now defunct web design business called Brat City Web Design. She was also involved in a campaign to recall the elected mayor, which probably didn't endear her to some city officials.

Last year, the city filed a lawsuit against Ms Reisinger. Why? Because one of her sites carried a link to the Sheboygan Police Department (oops). First, the city sent a cease and desist asking her to remove it, and when she refused to do so they initiated a criminal investigation and legal proceedings.

Remember, this is just a link to the local police department. Not a link to illegal or confidential material. Of course, really the city didn't have a leg to stand on and in November 2007 decided not to pursue the case.

But Ms Reisinger wasn't finished, and a few days ago filed a counter-suit alleging loss of business and a violation of first amendment rights. It looks like it could be a significant case.. depending on the outcome.

There's more information in this item at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and also here at the Citizen Media Law Project.

"Bank of America Installation and Upgrade Warning."

The bad guys are busy today, here's another fake bank "upgrade" leading to malware, following on from this one.

Subject: Bank of America Installation and Upgrade Warning.
From: "Bank Of America Update Service Department"
Date: Wed, August 27, 2008 2:23 pm

Attention All Bank of America Customers.
Security & Fraud Protection Update.

At Bank of America, were committed to keeping your information confidential and
secure, and we take that responsibility very seriously.
Our Fraud detection solution helps to protect your business against the risk of
fraudulent transactions alerting you to potential risks.
We have developed the following protection tools to insure you confidentiality.

You can download the latest security pack from our Customer Service Department>>

Sincerely, Jodie William.
2008 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

This leads to a very convoluted URL with an executable Setup_BankofAmericaclientno4508832.exe - virus detection for this one is a bit poor. Malware is identified variously as TR/ATRAPS.Gen (AntiVir & WebWasher), DeepScan:Generic.Malware.dld!!.083539B0 (BitDefender) and one or two others come up with a generic detection.

Incidentally, the URLs used in both attacks are incredibly long and convoluted.. and not terribly convicincing.

Avoid these "bank certificates" at all costs.

Tilde.exe in C:\Windows\System32 folder

This isn't really about tilde.exe at all, but a file called C:\Windows\System32\~.exe that has a habit of showing up on laptops that have been playing up with frequent browser crashes.

~.exe is kind of an odd name for a file, and crucially it's an ungoogleable name, because Google uses the tilde mark for its Synonym Search function.

Probing more deeply at the file shows that is is 34,616 bytes in size and is described internally as "Microsoft® Remote Std I/O Shell". The version information gives the following details:

• Company: Microsoft Corporation
• File Version: 6.0.6001.16470 (fbl_tools(patst).070215-1229)
• Internal name: remote.exe
• Language: Language Neutral
• Original File name: remote.exe
• Product Name: Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
• Product Version: 6.0.6001.16470

The icon is identical to the remote.exe sometimes supplied with various Microsoft debugging or support tools. Indeed, it does seem to be just another version of remote.exe which is a component of Microsoft's SMS server.

The ~.exe file may also be accompanied by a couple of strange-looking .dat files, for example __c0084F92.dat or __c00E460A.dat which on closer examination are actually executables.

It does genuinely seem to be a bit of Microsoft software, but in this case it would appear to be acting as a trojan downloader. The .dat files are lilely to be the second stage of the infection, and this could well be related to all the fake anti-virus products that have been promoted recently.

~.exe is detected variously as Trojan-Downloader.Win32.Agent.abnd, Win32/TrojanDownloader.Agent.ABND or Trojan:Win32/Vundo.gen!V (VirusTotal results here). The .dat file shows up variously as Trojan-Downloader:W32/FakeAlert.AN, TROJ_TIBS.CKN, Tibs.gen222, not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.Agent.ekj (VirusTotal results here and here).

Removal: delete the ~.exe file and any unusual looking .dat files that match the above pattern. If the trojan is active, then one of the .dat files will be locked. The F-Secure Online Scanner seems to be able to safely remove this trojan, although a reboot will be required.

This is the first time that I have seen a Microsoft SMS component used in this way. Presumably it attempts to connect up to a back-end server that I have not yet been able to identify. It may well be that a corporate firewall would block such behaviour.

"Colonial Bank Emergency Alert System"

Emergency alert system? Nope, malware download more likely.

Subject: Colonial Bank Emergency Alert System.
From: "Colonial Bank Account Support"
Date: Tue, August 26, 2008 8:35 pm

Dear Colonial Bank Customers. Protect your passwords!

- Never write down your passwords.
- Never share passwords with anyone.
- Change your password every few months.
- Change your password if you think it has been compromised.

For a password to be strong and hard to break, it should be at least nine characters
long, contain characters from each of the following three groups: letters (uppercase
and lowercase), numerals, symbols (all characters not defined as letters or
numerals), not contain your name or user name and not be a common word or name.
Be sure your computer is up-to-date with security patches, anti-virus, and
anti-spyware protection.
Download our latest all-in-one Internet software from our Customer Service
Department to make your online life completely secured.

Press here to Start>>

Sincerely, Parker Wheeler.
2003-2008 Colonial bank Support Team

VirusTotal detections are a mixed bag:

File ColonialDigicertx_509.exe received on 08.26.2008 23:52:05 (CET)
Antivirus	Version	Last Update	Result
AhnLab-V3	2008.8.21.0	2008.08.26	-
AntiVir	7.8.1.23	2008.08.26	HEUR/Crypted
Authentium	5.1.0.4	2008.08.26	-
Avast	4.8.1195.0	2008.08.26	-
AVG	8.0.0.161	2008.08.26	-
BitDefender	7.2	2008.08.26	DeepScan:Generic. Malware.dld!!.6B08AD0D
CAT-QuickHeal	9.50	2008.08.26	(Suspicious) - DNAScan
ClamAV	0.93.1	2008.08.26	PUA.Packed.MEW-1
DrWeb	4.44.0.09170	2008.08.26	-
eSafe	7.0.17.0	2008.08.26	Win32.Stration
eTrust-Vet	31.6.6050	2008.08.26	-
Ewido	4.0	2008.08.26	-
F-Prot	4.4.4.56	2008.08.26	-
F-Secure	7.60.13501.0	2008.08.26	Suspicious:W32/Malware!Gemini
Fortinet	3.14.0.0	2008.08.26	-
GData	19	2008.08.26	-
Ikarus	T3.1.1.34.0	2008.08.26	Trojan-Proxy.Win32.Small.DT
K7AntiVirus	7.10.428	2008.08.25	-
Kaspersky	7.0.0.125	2008.08.26	-
McAfee	5370	2008.08.26	-
Microsoft	1.3807	2008.08.25	PWS:Win32/Uloadis.A
NOD32v2	3390	2008.08.26	-
Norman	5.80.02	2008.08.26	W32/Suspicious_M.gen2
Panda	9.0.0.4	2008.08.26	-
PCTools	4.4.2.0	2008.08.26	Packed/MEW
Prevx1	V2	2008.08.26	-
Rising	20.59.11.00	2008.08.26	-
Sophos	4.32.0	2008.08.26	Mal/EncPk-BA
Sunbelt	3.1.1582.1	2008.08.26	VIPRE.Suspicious
Symantec	10	2008.08.26	-
TheHacker	6.3.0.6.060	2008.08.23	W32/Behav-Heuristic-066
TrendMicro	8.700.0.1004	2008.08.26	Cryp_MEW-11
VBA32	3.12.8.4	2008.08.26	-
ViRobot	2008.8.26.1350	2008.08.26	-
VirusBuster	4.5.11.0	2008.08.26	Packed/MEW

Asprox: beyry.ru, iopoe.ru, jetp6.ru, nucop.ru, port04.ru and vj64.ru

There's been a slight shift in the characteristics of the current Asprox attack. The javascript called is now script.js rather than ngg.js or js.js, and this goes to a redirect script currently pointing at /cgi-bin/index.cgi?lle on the local domain.

Active domains in this new attack seem to be as follows, new ones are in bold.

• beyry.ru
• cb3f.ru
• cnld.ru
• iopc4.ru
• iopoe.ru
• jetp6.ru
• loopk.ru
• netr2.ru
• okcd.ru
• nucop.ru
• port04.ru
• ueur3.ru
• vj64.ru

Check your logs or block these domains. Most business outside of Russia and neighbouring countries could probably block the entire .ru TLD with minimal impact. Look also for the CGI sript (/cgi-bin/index.cgi?lle) to find potentially infected client PCs.

Asprox: iopc4.ru, jetp6.ru, loopk.ru, netr2.ru and ueur3.ru

The domains used is the Asprox SQL injection attack have been stable for most of the past week, but over the last 24 hours some ne wdomains have been registed, so check your logs and/or block the following:

• iopc4.ru
• jetp6.ru
• loopk.ru
• netr2.ru
• ueur3.ru

It is likely that some more will turn up during the course of the day.

Another SQL injection domain: mo98g.cn

I mentioned some days ago that there seems to be a parallel SQL injection attack to Asprox with all the hallmarks of being Chinese. Over the past day or so, mo98g.cn has appeared on some infected sites (often alongside Asprox) making a call to mo98g.cn/q.js which is hosted on 222.122.128.5 in South Korea.

The back end seems not to be working at present, so maybe the server has been cleaned up. In any case, this is another domain to block or check your logs for.

Asprox: ujnc.ru

Just a single new Asprox domain to list this morning: ujnc.ru which is still using the js.js redirector, i.e. www.ujnc.ru/js.js. All the domains from the past two days are still active too.

Asprox: 3njx.ru, cb3f.ru, cnld.ru, nbh3.ru and okcd.ru

Some more Asprox domains to block or look for in your logs:

• 3njx.ru
• cb3f.ru
• cnld.ru
• nbh3.ru
• okcd.ru

Renewed Asprox activity: bcus2.ru, jkn3.ru, juc8.ru and locm.ru

After a quiet few days, Asprox seems to have flared up again (at about 1000 CET) with a new set of malware domains, still launching from a SQL injected js.js file on compromised hosts. Keep an eye out for these domains or block them.

These domains are all very recently registered through naunet.ru, there are probably many more on the way soon.

• bcus2.ru
• jkn3.ru
• juc8.ru
• locm.ru

All quiet on the Asprox front?

For the moment the Asprox SQL injection attacks seem to have stopped, although infected sites are still infected and need to be secured as soon as possible.

So, does this mean that the bad guys have given up? Well, no.. but there are probably thousands of sites out there which are still infected, so from that point of view they will still be getting "hits" to their malware sites.

Perhaps the answer is this - the people behind the SQL injection attacks are doing something else. Two very newsworthy events happening over the past few days have been the war in Georgia and the Beijing Olympics. Dancho Danchev reports that the RBN have been actively involved in attacking Georgian sites, including using SQL injection attacks. F-Secure report that Chinese sites have been attacked since the run-up to the Olympics started.

It might well be that these Asprox attacks will be quiet for a couple of weeks, but it is likely that general SQL injection attacks will ramp up again soon.

Spammers are still stupid

Another case where a spammer is too stupid to use the spamming tool they have just bought.

Subject: hey
From: "hvgoxscw"
Date: Sun, August 10, 2008 7:59 pm

You have 2 options here,
Option 1 - You can put ANY text you want in here.

Option 2 - We will fill it in with the text only portion of the
html message if you put the macro for you: [url removed]
in here.

NOTE: Some email clients don't disply html data. In that case what you
put here will be seen by the recipient. If the email client does

display html data then this will NOT be seen by the recipient.
Based on this you may wish to put a text version of your add here;
however, you can also put some macros here to make the message
more random.

Or use Option 3 and don't add anything at all. Idiot.

"Hey, take a look!!" / "Yahoo Daily News"

Looks like another variant of the Storm Worm /Zapchast doing the rounds:

Subject: Hey, take a look!!
From: "Yahoo Daily News"

Hello friend !
You have just received a yahoo messenger ultimate version !!


Click Download Now to begin downloading and installing Yahoo Messenger ultimate version 10 ver 10.1



1. Download Now Click Download Now to begin downloading and installing Yahoo! Messenger ultimate version 10.
ver. 10.1
2. When prompted, please click the Run button in each window that appears.

Other versions: XP (9.0 Beta), Vista, Mac, Web, Mobile

Thank you for using our services !!!
Please take this opportunity to let your friends use about this new software by sending them the source.

Copyright © 2008 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved. Copyright/IP Policy | Terms of Service |Guide to Online Security

Relevant advertising creates a better web experience. See how

NOTICE: We collect personal information on this site.

To learn more about how we use your information, see our Privacy Policy

In this case the target file to download is msgr8.5us.exe, VirusTotal detection is pretty good.

Expect to see a LOT of these over the next few days, either themed for the Olympics or the war in South Ossetia. Although the subject will always change, a crash course in user education can help to mitigate the risk.

ISC: "More SQL Injections - very active right now"

The Internet Storm Center has published technical details on the Chinese-based SQL injection attack which may be of interest to SQL administrators and programmers and also security specialists. It also flags up another javascript file to look for: csrss/w.js

Keep an eye out for log activity pointing to this file. Blocking the entire .cn TLD will probably do very little harm for most businesses.

Asprox: block 91.203.93.4 and js.js

A shift in behaviour from the Asprox botnet - this time all traffic from infected sites is being redirected through a fixed IP at 91.203.93.4. Blocking 91.203.93.0/24 will probably do no harm.

Also, the name of the javascript file has changed to js.js, so look for this in your logs.

The Silent Noise blog is tracking Asprox domains too, with some interesting developments that we haven't had the chance to dig deeper into.

Asprox domains: 5/8/08

Current Asprox domains to look for in your blogs or block. These have all been active for 3 or 4 days now, which is an unusually long time for this current SQL injection attack.

• 8hcs.ru
• 98hs.ru
• bgsr.ru
• bywd.ru
• ibse.ru
• ncbw.ru
• nwj4.ru
• ojns.ru
• porv.ru
• uhwc.ru

Asprox domains: 2/8/07

These are the currently active Asprox domains to check for. They are all very recently registrations.

• 8hcs.ru
• 98hs.ru
• bgsr.ru
• bywd.ru
• ibse.ru
• ncbw.ru
• nwj4.ru
• ojns.ru
• porv.ru
• uhwc.ru

Fake "Correspondence manager" job

Money mule scams are now very common - basically some poor fool ends up laundering money or reshipping goods following the instructions of someone they have never met and is likely to be untraceable.

This particular job offer seems to go a step further. This "correspondence manager" could well be another layer in the scammer's obfuscation. Perhaps the correspondence manager handles communications with the money mules?

One danger here is that this particular role is more credible that the "money for nothing" jobs that scammers usually offer. On the face of it, it doesn't involve handling money, but it does seem to be very easy and the salary looks attractive.

There's an interesting bit of social engineering where the email says "THE SELECTED CANDIDATE MUST PASS A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK". Of course, it is the employer who needs to pass a background check too. Always verify that your job offers are from a genuine, verifiable business.

---

Subject: Re: WELL - PAID JOB!
From: ls51@salud.gov.pr
Date: Fri, August 1, 2008 11:52 am

Dear, Job Seeker!

Our firm has an opening vacancy: Correspondence manager.

Please attach your resume in DOC or reach text format and apply right now. This
position is limited.



Company Name
Global Logistic


Job Category
Correspondence


Location
United States


Position Type
Part-Time/Home Based


Salary
$ 35,000 - $ 50,000


Experience
1+


Desired Education Level
High School or Equivalent


Date Posted
March 17, 2008



Job Summary:
You will make some basic tasks from your manager daily; manage personal assets;
making simple correspondence operations. You don't need to have any kind of
education or experience. We will make online training for position offered. You
will have more information in job description document. Apply now.
Requirements: US citizenship or US permanent residency

High school or College in relevant field or 1+ years experience in management;
basic computer, good verbal and grammar skills; must have a cellular phone for
urgent tasks; must be able to work part-time; must provide resume for
qualification process.

ALL RESUMES WILL BE CONFIRMED AND VERIFIED. THE SELECTED CANDIDATE MUST PASS A
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK
If you're interested send your full name, phone number, age and RESUME
mailto:NannieHolderCE@gmail.com and I'll redirect it to our HR department.

---

Beware of unsolicited loan offers

Loan scams are a another variant of the advanced fee fraud scam (e.g. fake lotteries, dead dictator's fortunes etc). These seem to be more popular recently due to the "credit crunch". Fundamentally the approach is the same as any other advanced fee fraud: you apply for the loan only to discover that there is a fee payable up front. Of course, no legitimate lender would ask for an up front fee for a loan.

Although the wording for this particular example sounds like it is from Nigeria, the IP address is from the Hathway network in Bangalore. Oddly from "from" address is Hathway too.

Subject: LOAN OFFER
From: ramanks@hathway.com
Date: Thu, July 31, 2008 8:14 pm
Priority: Normal


Dear Customer
We are corporate lenders. we give out loans to
A very honest and reliable personalities. we give
out our loans at low interest rate and moderate
values as cheap as 3% rate. Because of scam
we tender our qualifications if it satisfies, you
can continue with the transaction, but if you are
not satisfied you can go to another lender.
Channel your response to this email.
thomassteve2@gmail.com
Greatest Regards
Marketing Manager
Mr Thomas Steve.

Although this particular one is pretty laughable, it is likely that the scammers will get better at it. Beware of unsolicited loan offers and remember that all fees and interest will come out of your repayments, not from an up front fee.

PestPatrol: Zuten detected in c:\windows\minidump

This one looks like a false positive.. CA PestPatrol with signature version 2008.7.29.15 seems to be detecting Zuten in the c:\windows\minidump folder.

A close examination of the description indicates that the following files may be being misdetected:

%windows%\minidump\mini072908-01.dmp
%windows%\minidump\mini072908-02.dmp

As you can see, yesterday's date in encoded into the .dmp files. If your computer system has generated a .dmp file in the past day, then PestPatrol may well be mis-detecting it.

The SQL Injection war

Dancho Danchev had has some very good writeups on the current round of SQL injection attacks. This post on copycat attacks caught my eye, because it shows that there's more than one crew at work here.

If anything, this situation is likely to get worse. The tools needed to carry out a SQL injection attack are now almost available off-the-shelf, the attacks are obviously financially successful because they have been ongoing now for some months, and enumeration of vulnerable servers can be done through Google or Yahoo if you don't want to bother crawling the web.

Identifying and blocking domains helps, but it isn't a real solution. Most of these attacks are thwarted by a fully patch client (and I do mean all the software on the client, the Secunia Software Inspector can help here or some other decent audit tool). Using Firefox + NoScript is a good idea for the technically savvy. But ultimately, the best way of fighting this is to secure or shut down infected SQL servers. Don't be afraid to use the abuse@ email address where a web site is posing a continuing threat.

Asprox domains: 29/7/08

These are this morning's active Asprox domains. New ones are in bold.

• b4so.ru
• bce8.ru
• bjxt.ru
• bnsr.ru
• bosf.ru
• bsko.ru
• ch35.ru
• gty5.ru
• iroe.ru
• jve4.ru
• kj5s.ru
• kjwd.ru
• kpo3.ru
• kr92.ru
• ncb2.ru
• ncwc.ru
• nemr.ru
• njep.ru
• nmr43.ru
• oics.ru
• pfd2.ru
• po4c.ru

Asprox domains: 28/7/08

These seem to be the current Asprox domains to block or check for. New ones are in bold.

• bs04.ru
• bce8.ru
• bjxt.ru
• bnsr.ru
• bosf.ru
• bsko.ru
• ch35.ru
• iroe.ru
• jve4.ru
• kjwd.ru
• kodj.ru
• kpo3.ru
• kr92.ru
• ncb2.ru
• ncwc.ru
• nemr.ru
• nmr43.ru
• oics.ru
• pfd2.ru
• po4c.ru

ngg.js still seems to be the name of the javascript file injected into compromised hosts.

Asprox domains: 25/7/08

These domains seem to be active today, new ones in bold.

• bce8.ru
• ch35.ru
• iroe.ru
• jve4.ru
• kjwd.ru
• kodj.ru
• kpo3.ru
• kr92.ru
• ncwc.ru
• nemr.ru
• nmr43.ru
• pfd2.ru
• po4c.ru

One oddity - the URL zvz.cc/forums/8L0/join.upq has been spotted as a redirector for these Javascript exploits. Google list zvz.cc that as a malware infected site, it is hard to tell though if this is just another victim or part of the C&C for the botnet. For the record, these are the WHOIS details.. but they might not mean very much.

Registration Service Provided By: ESTDOMAINS INC
Contact: +1.3027224217
Website: http://www.estdomains.com

Domain Name: ZVZ.CC

Registrant:
Himpet .Inc
Evgenij Novoberkov (zvz@tut.by)
Stahanov.St 120
Minsk
Missouri,222120
US
Tel. +022.2720771

Creation Date: 09-Apr-2008
Expiration Date: 09-Apr-2009

Domain servers in listed order:
ns2.zvz.cc
ns1.zvz.cc

Administrative Contact:
Himpet .Inc
Evgenij Novoberkov (zvz@tut.by)
Stahanov.St 120
Minsk
Missouri,222120
US
Tel. +022.2720771

Technical Contact:
Himpet .Inc
Evgenij Novoberkov (zvz@tut.by)
Stahanov.St 120
Minsk
Missouri,222120
US
Tel. +022.2720771

Billing Contact:
Himpet .Inc
Evgenij Novoberkov (zvz@tut.by)
Stahanov.St 120
Minsk
Missouri,222120
US
Tel. +022.2720771

Status:ACTIVE

Asprox: jve4.ru, nmr43.ru and po4c.ru

Three new Asprox domains that have gone live in the past few hours, probably some more on the way. Either block these or check your logs if you are a network admin.

• jve4.ru
• nmr43.ru
• po4c.ru

"ABT Solutions" scam email

Following on from the recent "Infopulse" scam, another Ukranian firm has been targeted by the money mule operators. ABT Solutions appears to be a legitimate and quite innocent company that has been around for a few years, but this email does not come from ABT Solutions. The [fake] name used in the email is very similar to the name used in the abtsolutions.net WHOIS data, it is likely that it has been lifted from there.

Two telltale signs - one is the use of a Google Mail address where you would expect it to come from abtsolutions.net, the other one is that the job offer appears to be too good to be true. The company name is also spelled incorrectly.

---

Subject: A proposal for collaboration. Additional revenue.
From: job.abtsolutions@gmail.com
Date: Wed, July 23, 2008 11:07 pm

Hello Sir/Madam,

I am Chebotar' Aurelian, Director of ABT Solutins
specializes in innovative IT solutions and complex software projects development.

My company based in Ukraine. We've earned ourselves a reputation of a
reliable and trustworthy partner working successfully with a number of
West European companies and providing them with reliable software
development services in financial and media sectors.
Unfortunately we are currently facing some difficulties with receiving
payments for our services. It usually takes us 10-30 days to receive
a payment and clearing from your country and such delays are harmful
to our business. We do not have so much time to accept every wire transfer.

That's why we are currently looking for partners in your country to help
us accept and process these payments faster.
If you are looking for a chance to make an additional profit you can
become our representative in your country. As our representative you will
receive 8% of every deal we conduct. Your job will be accepting funds in
the form of wire transfers and forwarding them to us.
It is not a full-time job, but rather a very convenient and fast way
to receive additional income. We also consider opening an office in your
country in the nearest future and you will then have certain privileges
should you decide to apply for a full-time job. Please if you are
interested in transacting business with us we will be very glad.

Please contact me for more information via email:

and send us the following information about yourself: job.abtsolutions@gmail.com

1. Your Full Name as it appears on your resume.
2. Education.
3. Your Contact Address.
4. Telephone/Fax number.
5. Your present Occupation and Position currently held.
6. Your Age

Please respond and we will provide you with additional details on how you
can become our representative. Joining us and starting business today will
cost you nothing and you will be able to earn a bit of extra money fast
and easy. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us
with all your questions.

Sincerely,
Chebotar' Aurelian,
Director of ABT Solutins.

---

Asprox domains: 23/7/08 - Part II

Just a couple more to add:

• cgt4.ru
• kc43.ru

Asprox domains: 23/7/08

A shift in domains used by the Asprox crew - these new domains are all in the .ru TLD and are registered via NauNet (contact details here). ngg.js is still the name of the Javascript file to look for, I suspect that vrcgoo.js might be a new name to keep an eye out for too.

• 4cnw.ru
• 4vrs.ru
• 5kc3.ru
• 90mc.ru
• 9jsr.ru
• bts5.ru
• chds.ru
• cvsr.ru
• d5sg.ru
• ecx2.ru
• gb53.ru
• h23f.ru
• jex5.ru
• jvke.ru
• keec.ru
• keje.ru
• kgj3.ru
• lkc2.ru
• lksr.ru

For most organisations, blocking the entire .ru TLD will probably do no harm as these are usually always Russian language sites.

"Infopulse Ukraine Ltd" Money Mule Scam

Infopulse Ukraine appears to be a legitimate software development company, but this email that claims to be from them is certainly not legitimate. Tell-tale signs are the free email address (rather than using infopulse.com.ua and the fact that this sort of money transfer operation appears to be an easy way to earn money doing very little.. which means that it will be some sort of money laundering operation. Avoid.

---

Subject: Earning additional salary with us!
From: jobinfopulse@gmail.com
Date: Wed, July 16, 2008 4:56 pm

Hello Sir/Madam,

I am Alexey Sigov, Director of Infopulse Ukraine Ltd
specializes in innovative IT solutions and complex software projects development.

My company based in Ukraine. We've earned ourselves a reputation of a
reliable and trustworthy partner working successfully with a number of
West European companies and providing them with reliable software
development services in financial and media sectors.
Unfortunately we are currently facing some difficulties with receiving
payments for our services. It usually takes us 10-30 days to receive
a payment and clearing from your country and such delays are harmful
to our business. We do not have so much time to accept every wire transfer.

That's why we are currently looking for partners in your country to help
us accept and process these payments faster.
If you are looking for a chance to make an additional profit you can
become our representative in your country. As our representative you will
receive 8% of every deal we conduct. Your job will be accepting funds in
the form of wire transfers and forwarding them to us.
It is not a full-time job, but rather a very convenient and fast way
to receive additional income. We also consider opening an office in your
country in the nearest future and you will then have certain privileges
should you decide to apply for a full-time job. Please if you are
interested in transacting business with us we will be very glad.

Please contact me for more information via email:

and send us the following information about yourself: jobinfopulse@gmail.com

1. Your Full Name as it appears on your resume.
2. Education.
3. Your Contact Address.
4. Telephone/Fax number.
5. Your present Occupation and Position currently held.
6. Your Age

Please respond and we will provide you with additional details on how you
can become our representative. Joining us and starting business today will
cost you nothing and you will be able to earn a bit of extra money fast
and easy. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us
with all your questions.

Sincerely,
Alexey Sigov,
Director of Infopulse Ukraine Ltd

---

Asprox domains: 16/7/08

The following Asprox SQL Injection domains appear to be active today. New ones are in bold.

• adwnetw.com
• adpzo.com
• ausbnr.com
• brcporb.ru
• btoperc.ru
• cdport.eu
• cdrpoex.com
• gbradde.tk
• grtsel.ru
• korfd.ru
• movaddw.com
• tctcow.com
• usabnr.com

ngg.js still seems to be the name of the script file. Block these sites and/or check your logs.

Asprox domains: 15/7/08

Another bunch of Asprox SQL Injection domains, new ones are in bold.

• adpzo.com
• adwnetw.com
• ausbnr.com
• bkpadd.mobi
• butdrv.com
• cdport.eu
• cdrpoex.com
• cliprts.com
• gbradde.tk
• gbradp.com
• gitporg.com
• hdrcom.com
• loopadd.com
• movaddw.com
• nopcls.com
• porttw.mobi
• pyttco.com
• tctcow.com
• tertad.mobi
• usabnr.com

These are still using ngg.js in the injected code.

"I'm customer from Singapore.."

If you sell any kind of high-value goods (or even if you have a web site that just mentions them) then you probably get all sorts of fraudulent emails.

One in particular is the "Customer from Singapore" email of which the following is an example.

---

Subject: special order
From: "Tony Canna"
Date: Fri, July 11, 2008 7:45 am

I'm customer from Singapore ,and I would like to purchase some products from your
company,but before we doing bussines,I need your answers for my questions
below.

1.Do you accept credit card for payment?
2.Do you ship overseas via UPS,DHL or FedEX Service ?

Thanks before for the attentions and we are glad to doing more bussines with
your company.

I look Forward to hearing from you soon.

Best Regards,
Tony Canna

---

Singapore is a pretty good place to do business with. Crime and corruption are very low, and you could be reasonably certain that business transactions from with Singapore would be 100% legitimate. The problem with this email is that the sender isn't from Singapore at all, but from neighbouring Indonesia as an examination of the mail headers shows. At the risk of offending Indonesian readers.. well.. put it this way - Indonesia is a much more tricky place to do business with.

Another telltale mark of a fraud is the phrase "Special order". I don't know why, but these scammers often like to mark their emails with this. Go figure.

This Indonesian/Singaporean scam is actually quite common, so be cautious about people claiming to be from Singapore, check mail headers carefully and check that the delivery address is a real business or residential address if you can (rather than some warehouse at an airport, for example).

"Dibag Industries AG" money mule scam

A money mule scam pretending to come from Dibag Industries AG - clearly trying to pass itself off as the wholly legitimate Dibag Industriebau AG who have nothing to do with it.

Of course there is a PayPal Germany and $78,000 a year for an Office Assistant is probably a little on the high side..

---

Subject: Office Assistant Required - 1500/week

We are a Germany company, we are doing business all over the Europe, our main
activities are real estate investments and digital currencies exchanges.
As a result of expading our business in North American region, our company must keep
up with our American customers accepting the most popular payments in the United
States: Paypal. We are currently seeking an dependable and enthusiastic US
representative to handle the transactions.
Being located in Germany, a transfer via Paypal system sent here can take up to 14
days to arrive, therefore we need a US representative with an US paypal account who
able to accept the payments from our US customers.
This will significantly improve our business, that's why we can pay 5% from every
transfer processed.
Almost anyone is accepted, but a verified paypal account is required, an account
where you will be receiving the transfers.
If you are interested to find more about this position, let me know at:
martin_rohwerder@live.com

Thank you,
Martin Rohwerder
Dibag Industries AG

---

Asprox domains: 10/7/08

These seem to be the currently active Asprox SQL Injection domains to block or check for. New ones are in bold.

• adwnetw.com
• ausadd.com
• ausbnr.com
• bnsdrv.com
• butdrv.com
• cdrpoex.com
• crtbond.com
• destad.mobi
  
• destbnp.com
• drvadw.com
• gbradw.com
• loopadd.com
• movaddw.com
• nopcls.com
• porttw.mobi
• pyttco.com
  
• tertad.mobi
  
• usaadw.com
• usabnr.com

No prizes for guessing that Vivids Media GmbH handled the registrations.

Two more new ones as well:

• bkpadd.mobi
• tctcow.com

ZoneAlarm: "The firewall has blocked Internet access to.."

If you have recently patched your Windows computer with KB951748 and have ZoneAlarm installed then you'll probably find that everything has stopped working with a message similar to:

ZoneAlarm Security Alert
Protected
The firewall has blocked Internet access to whatever.com (0.0.0.0) (HTTP) from your computer (TCP Flags: S)

This is because the Microsoft patch you just applied has made some fairly significant changes to the way your PC looks up internet names (such as web pages, email hosts etc) and ZoneAlarm isn't aware of those changes and is consequently having a panic.

It isn't really a fault with the patch, and given the nature of the change, you can perhaps expect ZoneAlarm not to cope [see note below]. If you really want some more technical background read this article at the Internet Storm Center: Multiple Vendors DNS Spoofing Vulnerability.

As a temporary workaround, the best advice is to deinstall the KB951748 until ZoneAlarm is updated. It is an important update, but you are either going to have to disable ZoneAlarm or remove the patch and at the moment my advice would be to stick with ZoneAlarm.

To remove the patch in Windows XP (Vista will be similar):

1. Click Start and select Control Panel (or Start.. Settings.. Control Panel depending on your setup).
2. Open "Add or Remove Programs"
3. Tick "Show Updates"
4. Scroll down (probably very near the bottom of the list) to Security Update for Windows XP (KB951748) (Vista may be worded differently, but the key thing to look for is KB951748).
5. Click Remove
6. Follow the steps to remove the patch and then reboot

Keep an eye out on the ZoneAlarm Official Announcements forum for updates - hopefully your copy of ZoneAlarm should download a fix for it automatically. When you have downloaded the update for ZoneAlarm, then visit Windows Update and then reapply the patch.

Update 1:
Sandi made the following comment:

It is not necessary to uninstall the patch, or disable/remove Zonealarm. Simply reset the ZoneAlarm database:

http://forum.zonelabs.org/zonelabs/board/message?board.id=cfg&message.id=52727

"To solve this, just reset the ZA database and the ZA will be "fresh" as when it was first installed:


Boot your computer into the Safe Mode
Navigate to the c:\windows\internet logs folder
Delete the backup.rdb, iamdb.rdb, *.ldb and the tvDebug files in the folder
Clean the Recycle Bin
Reboot into the normal mode
ZA will be just like new with no previous settings or data


Once this is finished, reboot back into the normal mode and in the new network found windows, set the new network to Trusted.
Then do this to ensure the ZA is setup properly:

Make sure your DNS and DHCP server IP's are in your Firewall's Trusted zone. Finding DNS and DCHP servers, etc

1. Go to Run and type in command and hit 'ok', and in the command then type in ipconfig /all then press the enter key. In the returned data list will be a line DNS and DHCP Servers with the IP address(s) listed out to the side. Make sure there is a space between the ipconfig and the /all, and the font is the same (no capitals).
2. In ZA on your machine on the Firewall, open the Zones tab, click Add and then select IP Address. Make sure the Zone is set to Trusted. Add the DNS IP(s) .
3. Click OK and Apply. Then do the same for the DHCP server.
4. The localhost (127.0.0.1) must be listed as Trusted.
5. The Generic Host Process (svchost.exe) as seen in the Zone Alarm's Program's list must have server rights for the Trusted Zone.
Plus it must have both Trusted and Internet Access."

Update 2:
ZoneAlarm have a press release with a couple of workarounds here.

Workaround to Sudden Loss of Internet Access Problem

Date Published : 8 July 2008

Date Last Revised : 9 July 2008

Overview : Microsoft Update KB951748 is known to cause loss of internet access for ZoneAlarm users on Windows XP/2000. Windows Vista users are not affected.

Impact : Sudden loss of internet access

Platforms Affected : ZoneAlarm Free, ZoneAlarm Pro, ZoneAlarm AntiVirus, ZoneAlarm Anti-Spyware, and ZoneAlarm Security Suite

Recommended Actions -

Download and install the latest versions which solve the loss of internet access problem here:

ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite

ZoneAlarm Pro

ZoneAlarm Antivirus

ZoneAlarm Anti-Spyware

ZoneAlarm Basic Firewall

- or follow the directions below.

Option 1: Move Internet Zone slider to Medium

1. Navigate to the "ZoneAlarm Firewall" panel
2. Click on the "Firewall" tab
3. Move the "Internet Zone" slider to medium

Option 2: Uninstall the hotfix

1. Click the "Start Menu"
2. Click "Control Panel", or click "Settings" then "Control Panel"
3. Click on "Add or Remove Programs"
4. On the top of the add/remove programs dialog box, you should see a checkbox that says "show updates". Select this checkbox
5. Scroll down until you see "Security update for Windows (KB951748)"
6. Click "Remove" to uninstall the hotfix

I must say what is kind of annoying about this whole thing is that ZoneAlarm is owned by Checkpoint who will definitely have been in on the whole DNS update issue and could have updated the product in a more timely manner. Many users of ZoneAlarm have been left high and dry because they don't have the technical skills to fix this.

Asprox domains: 9/7/08

Another shift in the Asprox SQL Injection domains, still registered with Vivids Media GmbH. As ever, check your logs or block them.

• adwnetw.com
• ausadd.com
• ausbnr.com
• bnsdrv.com
• butdrv.com
• cdrpoex.com
• cliprts.com
• crtbond.com
• destbnp.com
• drvadw.com
• gbradp.com
• gbradw.com
• hdrcom.com
• loopadd.com
• movaddw.com
• nopcls.com
• tctcow.com
• usaadp.com
• usaadw.com
• usabnr.com

"Ban Ki-moon / United Nations" scam

An almost laughable scam email claiming to be from Ban Ki-moon (the UN's Secretary General) offering to reward victims of scams with $250,000. Of course if you are daft enough to fall for it, then you will soon find that there will be problems that will require up-front fees to be paid etc etc. Note that the reply-to address is actually mrbankimoonun1@sify.com (a free email service provider in India) although the email originated from Google Mail. You can be reasonably assured that Ban Ki-moon does not need to use a free email provider.

---

Subject: SCAMMED VICTIM/ US$ 250,000.00 BENEFICIARY.REF/PAYMENTS CODE:078654
From: "info@unitednation.org"
Date: Wed, July 9, 2008 12:44 pm

ZENITH BANK COMPENSATION UNIT, IN AFFILIATION WITH THE UNITED
NATION. Send acopy of your response to official email:
zenithba_nkplc19_51@hotmail.com
ATTN:Sir/Madam,

How are you today? Hope all is well with you and family?,You may not
understand why this mail came to you.

We have been having a meeting for the passed 7 months which ended 2 days ago
with the then secretary to the United Nations

This email is to all the people that have been scammed in any part of the
world, the United Nations have agreed to compensate them with the sum of US$
250,000.00
(Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars)This includes every
foriegn contractors that may have not received their contract sum, and
people that have had an unfinished transaction or international businesses
that failed due to
Government problems etc.

Your name and email was in the list submitted by our Monitoring Team of
Economic and Financial Crime Commission observers and this is why we are
contacting you, this have been agreed upon and have been signed.

You are advised to contact Mr. Jim Ovia of ZENITH BANK NIGERIA PLC, as he is
our representative in Nigeria, contact him immediately for your Cheque/
International Bank Draft of USD$ 250,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty
Thousand United
States Dollars) This funds are in a Bank Draft for security purpose ok? so
he will send it to you and you can clear it in any bank of your choice.

Therefore, you should send him your full Name and telephone number/your
correct mailing address where you want him to send the Draft to you.

Contact Mr. Jim Ovia immediately for your Cheque:

Person to Contact Mr. Jim Ovia
Telephone No: +234_8064109875.
Email: zenithba_nkplc19_51@hotmail.com

Goodluck and kind regards,


Mr. Ban Ki Moon
Secretary (UNITED NATIONS).
Making the world a better place

---

Who are Vivids Media GmbH?

If you have been tracking the latest round of SQL Injection domains, then you might be familiar with the name Vivids Media GMBH as being the current registrar of choice.

The odd thing is that Vivids Media GmbH doesn't appear to have a web site or any traceable contact details. However, most of the domain registrations have a contact telephone number in Berlin of +49.3094413291 and some searching around gives this page with what looks like the correct contact details of:

Name: Vivids Media GmbH
Email Address: support@klikdomains.com
Address: Leege-Gr str. 41
City: Berlin
Zip: 13055
Country : Germany
Tel No.: +49.3094413291

That indicates that Vivid Media GmbH is related to klikdomains.com and therefore klikvip.com which are part of another company that claims to be in Berlin, Klik Media GmbH (some of the alleged goings on of this company are mentioned here). A short step away from Klik are a whole set of domains registered via Estdomains (a familiar name to many) and things start to get seedy from there.

There's no evidence that Vivid Media GmbH is directly invovled in anything bad - in fact there is barely any evidence that Vivid Media GmbH actually exists at all. Spammers and other bad guys do have a knack of finding registrars who are slow at terminating their accounts, so let's be charitable and say that Vivids Media are just understaffed in their abuse department.

The problem is that if you want to contact Vivids Media, then it seems to be very difficult. Their website is 56823.myorderbox.com which is a sort of white label domain registrar site. Myorderbox.com seems to be based in India, and looks to be a reseller of ResellerClub which in turns registers names through PublicDomainRegistry.com.

Complicated? Well, yes.. but ultimately PublicDomainRegistry.com are the registrar and it turns out that there is some light at the end of the tunnel. You will find that most of the domains used in these SQL Injection attacks have false WHOIS data, and you can report false WHOIS data here. Hopefully then the domain will be suspended.. not that it really matters too much because the bad guys will just register some more.

So the answer to the question "who are Vivids Media GmbH?" is "I don't know" but for most practical puporses you wouldn't need to deal with them if complaining about one of these domains, go to the registrar and report it there.

Asprox domains: 7/7/08 and another SQL Injection mitigation article

Another batch of Asprox domains are active today - it also seems that those from 3rd July are still running too. I advise that you check your logs for these or block them:

• adbtch.com
• aladbnr.com
• allocbn.mobi
• adwadb.mobi
• apidad.com
• appdad.com
• asodbr.com
• asslad.com
• blcadw.com
• blockkd.com
• bnradd.mobi
• bnrbase.com
• bnrbasead.com
• bnrbtch.com
• browsad.com
• brsadd.com
• canclvr.com
• catdbw.mobi
• clrbbd.com
• dbgbron.com
• ktrcom.com
• loctenv.com
• lokriet.com
• mainadt.com
• mainbvd.com
• portadrd.com
• portwbr.com
• stiwdd.com
• ucomddv.com
• upcomd.com

If you're looking at ways of protecting your server against these SQL injection attacks, then Sophos has a blog entry called Avoiding SQL injection attacks which looks like a good starting point.

Asprox domains: 3/7/08 and ngg.js

The Asprox domains used in the current round of SQL Injection attacks have shifted again, the ones to check for or block are:

• adwadb.mobi
• allocbn.mobi
• canclvr.com
• catdbw.mobi
• ktrcom.com
• lokriet.com
• mainbvd.com
• portwbr.com
• stiwdd.com
• testwvr.com
  
• upcomd.com
• ucomddv.com
  

The malicious javascript file has also changed to ngg.js (usually it is b.js or m.js or similar). If you're using Google Alerts or similar to monitor your own site or sites of interest, you might want to change the search string to something like "script src=http:" .js site:oceanic-air.com (replace the domain name with the site you want to monitor).

Asprox domains: 2/7/08

These seem to be the currently active domains used in the Asprox SQL Injection attack. Registrar of choice at the moment is Vivids Media GMBH (if they really exist) via Directi Internet Solutions (publicdomainregistry.com).

• adupd.mobi
• adwste.mobi
• bnrupdate.mobi
• cntrl62.com
• config73.com
• cont67.com
• csl24.com
• debug73.com
• default37.com
• get49.net
• pid72.com
• pid76.net
• web923.com

Best advice to to block access to these sites and check your logs.