BleepingComputer.com: Hackers Hijack Windows Update's Downloader

Jump to content


Register a free account to unlock additional features at BleepingComputer.com
Welcome to BleepingComputer, a free community where people like yourself come together to discuss and learn how to use their computers. Using the site is easy and fun. As a guest, you can browse and view the various discussions in the forums, but can not create a new topic or reply to an existing one unless you are logged in. Other benefits of registering an account are subscribing to topics and forums, creating a blog, and having no ads shown anywhere on the site.

Click here to Register a free account now! or read our Welcome Guide to learn how to use this site.

Page 1 of 1
  • You cannot start a new topic
  • You cannot reply to this topic

Hackers Hijack Windows Update's Downloader Stealing Windows' BITS gets bad code past any firewall

#1 User is offline   quietman7 

  • Bleepin' Janitor
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Find Topics
  • Group: Global Moderator
  • Posts: 25,111
  • Joined: 09-July 05
  • Location:Virginia, USA

Posted 11 May 2007 - 07:09 AM

Quote

Hackers are using the file transfer component used by Windows Update to sneak malware past firewalls...Trojan makers have started to call on BITS to download add-on code to an already compromised computer. "For one simple reason: BITS is part of the operating system, so it's trusted and bypasses the local firewall while downloading files"...
computerworld.com
Microsoft MVP - Consumer Security 2007-2012 Posted Image
Member of UNITE, Unified Network of Instructors and Trusted Eliminators

#2 User is offline   quietman7 

  • Bleepin' Janitor
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Find Topics
  • Group: Global Moderator
  • Posts: 25,111
  • Joined: 09-July 05
  • Location:Virginia, USA

Posted 15 May 2007 - 07:43 AM

Quote

Security experts have been predicting that virus writers would find a way to hijack Microsoft's security patch delivery process to slip their software onto users' computers. They were right...I should note that when I tried this exploit on a Windows XP system running under a limited user account, the attack did not succeed. So if you set up your Windows XP or 2000 machine to run under a limited account, even if you inadvertently download a Trojan, it is very unlikely that it will be able to finish its job.

blog.washingtonpost.com
Microsoft MVP - Consumer Security 2007-2012 Posted Image
Member of UNITE, Unified Network of Instructors and Trusted Eliminators

#3 User is offline   HIPPO1023 

  • Member
  • PipPip
  • Find Topics
  • Group: Members
  • Posts: 84
  • Joined: 19-February 07

Posted 18 May 2007 - 08:08 PM

I tried "Proof-of-Concept" from Frank Boldewin.

My System and Settings
OS : Windws XP SP2
Firewall : COMODO Personal Firewall
Anti-Virus : Avast! 4 Home
Windows Update : Manual update

When I downloaded "bitscode.zip", the archive of "Proof-of-Concept", both my Firewall and Anti-Virus caused no alert.
I executed "bitscode.exe". My Firewall popped up the dialog.
It showed me that SVCHOST is going to connect to outbound.
When I allowed it, I was shown the message of "Proof-of-Concept", "If you see this message and your firewall hasn't alerted you before downloading and executing this code, the firewall bypassing worked successfully!"
Of course, when I denied it, this program could not bypass my Firewall.

Share this topic:


Page 1 of 1
  • You cannot start a new topic
  • You cannot reply to this topic

1 User(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users