Andromeda Trojan - 2021 update

What is Andromeda Trojan?

Andromeda is an evasive malware downloader that is capable of stealing information from the infected users

Andromeda Trojan is a family of malware and a botnet that is still prevalent to this day

Andromeda virus is a family of Trojans that was first introduced in 2011 and has been active ever since. With dozens of variants released, it serves the purpose of propagating other malicious software (backdoor^[1] functionality) and stealing confidential information from the victim. Various criminal gangs behind Andromeda used different attack vectors over the years, including exploit kits,^[2] infectious software cracks, spam email campaigns, and others.

Researchers from Avast^[3] believe that the Andromeda Trojan family stems from ngrBot/DorkBot malware, although they also spotted multiple source code similarities with Zbot, otherwise known as Zeus, which is probably the most prolific malware ever created. Initially, it was used to steal banking credentials from Windows users, although many malicious parties abused the name later in online scam campaigns.

Andromeda is very sophisticated, which it comes to obfuscation and evasion techniques. It uses several uncommon API functions to avoid infecting environments that are used for malware analysis, such as sandboxes and other analysis tools. Distributors also put a lot of effort to prevent AV companies from establishing a malware profile:

Andromeda’s authors put a lot of effort into diversifying their portfolio of infection droppers and to disable, or at least complicate the sample submission and exchange between AV companies and their regular process used to scan and thoroughly analyze files. To achieve this, they update the custom packers daily and as a bonus, they bloat the binaries with more than 70 MB of garbage.

Besides, the virus uses executable compression^[4] techniques (PE packers) to prevent Andromeda removal and detection by AV solutions. Nevertheless, the most up-to-date anti-malware tools like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes should be able to detect and eliminate the malicious files that were populated by the Andromeda virus.

Because malware performs various changes to the system and infects some system-related files (for example, modifies msiexec.exe and creates a new value, “Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run” in the registry), it may also destabilize the Windows, even after the malware is eliminated. Thus, to avoid the OS reinstallation, scan your computer with FortectIntego – it can repair the damage done and revert the damage done to system files.

Interestingly, malware is programmed to detect the language settings of the keyboard. If one of the following languages are identified, Andromeda Trojan will completely eliminate itself from the system:

• Russian
• Ukrainian
• Belorussian
• Kazakh

It is not uncommon for the attackers to exclude countries they are coming from to prevent the interest of local authorities.

Andromeda virus: presence and possible consequences

Andromeda virus is a dangerous Trojan horse, and it can be used for multiple malicious activities. As soon as the malware infiltrates the system, it starts controlling it, so you might notice that your computer is much slower than usual. Of course, Andromeda was not created only for that.

You should also know that this virus can easily infect your machine with additional malware, update it, disable it, remove it, and implement other malicious tasks on your computer. To perform all these tasks, Andromeda connects to its C&C server – all the communications are encrypted with the RC4 algorithm.^[5]

Andromeda is a Trojan that infects system using various methods, including spam email attachments, exploit kits, software cracks, and other methods

The C&C server communication is performed in JSON format, and the following servers are used:

• hxxp://disorderstatus.ru/order.php
• hxxp://differentia.ru/diff.php

Both of these domains are connected to dozens of DNS servers that are located all over the world, including the U.S., Germany, the United Kingdom, etc. Anti-malware solutions detect the malicious domains as URL:Mal, so users with comprehensive online traffic protection software can prevent these communications.

Andromeda Trojan is also known to import various tracking modules and plugins into the system, including the well-known remote control tool TeamViewer. Nevertheless, victims would not be aware of its presence, as it is operated in the background. Besides the remote control, the virus also injects a rootkit,^[6] keylogger, and other plugins that help malicious actors to achieve their goals.

In the meantime, users may suffer great losses due to Andromeda virus infection, including monetary loss, sensitive information compromise, and even identity theft/fraud. With the help of malware, hackers can establish a vast botnet, which helps them to harvest data on a mass scale. All the stolen information is typically sold on the Dark Web for large sums of money.

Therefore, remove Andromeda Trojan as soon as your security software flags it, as the consequences may be disastrous for you otherwise. If you had no anti-malware installed, the virus might run on your system for a prolonged time, and you will not know about its existence – this is another reason to keep a powerful security tool installed at all times.

Distribution routine and prevention measures

As previously mentioned, the Andromeda virus uses a variety of techniques to infect users around the world. Just as much other malware, the early campaigns include spam emails – this technique is still prevalent to this day, even though email providers implemented a variety of techniques to prevent such emails from reaching users. Despite that, threat actors always come up with new ways of presenting a phishing email to victims.

These emails include an attachment, typically of a .doc, .xls, .pdf, or .zip format, which, once opened, asks users to allow a macro function to run (i.e., “Enable Content” prompt). If granted, a PowerShell command will contact a remote server and download the malware payload. Thus, it is important not to allow macros to be run on ANY document that is clipped to a suspicious email.

Andromeda forms a botnet and is operated worldwide

Other techniques used by the criminals include Angler, Neutrino, Nuclear, and other exploit kits, which and be rendered useless by those who use software that is patched by the latest security updates. The infection is triggered automatically as victims who use vulnerable software access a malicious or a hacked site – even a reputable site SourceForge (hosts open-source applications) was compromised by the attackers.

Also, stay away from torrent and warez sites that host illegal software installers and cracks/keygens – these are known to be infested with various types of malware, including ransomware like Djvu.

Andromeda virus removal steps

Andromeda virus is a sophisticated piece of malware, and threat actors use various techniques in order to increase its persistence and ensure that the malware stays on the system as long as possible. This is especially true if no anti-malware is not present on the machine, as it allows the infection to spread without interruptions. Once infected, the computer may remain in the state for weeks or even months, until security software is installed, and a prompt Andromeda removal can be performed.

In some cases, you might not be able to remove Andromeda Trojan immediately, as it may start tampering with your anti-malware software. In such a case, access Safe Mode with Networking, and perform a full system scan from there. To remediate the infected system files, perform a scan with a PC repair tool FortectIntego.