The ServHelper Trojan is a dangerous weapon used against computer users worldwide. It infects mainly via phishing email messages. Our article gives an overview of its behavior according to the collected samples and available reports, also it may be helpful in attempting to remove the virus.
Threat Summary
| Name | ServHelper Trojan |
| Type | Trojan |
| Short Description | The ServHelper Trojan is a computer virus that is designed to silently infiltrate computer systems. |
| Symptoms | The victims may not experience any apparent symptoms of infection. |
| Distribution Method | Software Vulnerabilities, Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages, Scripts and others. |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss ServHelper Trojan. |
ServHelper Trojan – Distribution Methods
The ServHelper Trojan is an active backdoor malware which uses a very complex infection method to deliver another threat called “FlawedGrace”. The first instances of the attack campaign were identified back in November 2018 when the signs of its samples were detected.
The initial infection was done via a small-sized email phishing campaign which targeted financial institutions. They posed as internal communications, service notifications or other messages that were very likely to be opened by the recipients. Their will include attached documents of all popular formats: rich text documents, spreadsheets, databases and presentations. As soon as they are opened by the victims a prompt will appear asking them to enable the built-in scripts. This will lead to the payload delivery.
The next campaign targeted the retail industry with a combination of different attachments, namely “.doc”, “.pub”, or “.wiz”.
December 2018 saw another release of the ServHelper Trojan this time using a mix of various techniques — not only the phishing documents, but also PDF messages containing links to malicious sites described as “Adobe PDF plugins”. The body contents of the email messages can also contain direct links to the virus files. The PDF files that are being distributed coerce the users into believing that they need to download a new version of the Adobe Reader application in order to correctly view it. They are shown links to the dangerous strains.
This means that it is very possible for other delivery methods to be used as well:
- Bundle Installers — The criminals can attempt to create setup files of popular software that contain the virus code. This is done by taking the legitimate files from their official sources and including the necessary instructions. Popular choices include system utilities, creativity suites, productivity and office apps and etc.
- Malware Sites — The hackers can create phishing sites that imitate well-known download portals, product landing pages, search engines and others. They are made by using similar sounding domain names and security certificates that can be either self-signed or bought from certificate authorities using fake or stolen credentials.
- Browser Hijackers — They represent malicious plugins that are made compatible with the most popular web browsers. These instances can mostly be found on the relevant repositories being posted with fake user reviews and developer information. The posted descriptions will promise feature additions and performance optimizations. At the same time as soon as they are installed important changes can occur to the browsers — the modification of settings such as the default home page, search engine and new tabs page. This is done in order to redirect the victims to a predesigned hacker-controlled page.
- File-Sharing Networks — The files can also be shared on networks like BitTorrent where Internet users actively post both legitimate and pirate content.
As the campaigns progress further we anticipate that new phishing campaigns will be launched as the malware itself is updated.
ServHelper Trojan – Detailed Description
As soon as the ServHelper Trojan has infected the hosts it will launch a behavior pattern based on the current configuration. The main engine itself is written in Delphi which means that the source code can easily be modified between the iterations.
Almost all of them will instantly set up a local Trojan client allowing the attackers to set up a secure connection to their own servers. The “tunnel” version of the ServHelper Trojan will configure a reverse SSH tunnel. This means that the criminals will be able to use common Remote Desktop software in order to access the infected computers. As soon as this is done the malware engine will automatically analyze the system and locate all user accounts. They will be hijacked as well as any stored web browser credentials. This means that the ServHelper Trojan can access all important parameters of the most popular web browsers:
- Cookies
- Settings
- Bookmarks
- History
- Stored Site Preferences
- Stored Account Credentials
All known variants of the Trojan use port 443 which are used for HTTPS sessions and 80 which is for normal web server page delivery. From a network administrator’s perspective the compromised machines will send legitimate traffic as some remote desktop applications can route the traffic via these ports.
Most of the hacker-controlled servers are located on “.pw” top-level domains which can be a warning sign for administrators. Some of the later versions also feature some top-level domains of the “.bit” type which are also associated with the Namecoin cryptocurrency.
The POST information contained in the command and control servers have been found to signal encoded parameters: “key” which represents the ID of the threat which is hardcoded in each separate virus version. The “sysid” parameter will show the unique ID which is generated for every different host. The captured samples use an algorithm that uses the following data as input values: campaign ID, Windows version, System architecture, username and a random integer. A third parameter called “resp” contains the responses from the hacker controllers.
A list of all available commands that have been captured from the live network analysis reveals the following arsenal:
- nop — This will enable a keep-alive functionality which will constantly probe the network connection in order to keep it running.
- tun — This will set up a tunnel connection from the compromised hosts originating from the RDP port (3389). Some of the captured samples have been found to run an extensive array of commands. They will extract and drop and OpenSSH binary, configure the local RDP Warapper Library Software and create an associated username called “supportaccount” with a preset password of “Ghar4f5”. This user will be added to the “Remote Desktop Users” and “Administrators” groups. Later versions will replace this third-party app with the built-in Windows remote desktop application.
- slp — This will set a hacker-defined sleep timeout.
- fox — This will instruct the local instance to copy the Mozilla Firefox user profile.
- chrome — This will do the same for Google Chrome.
- killtun — This will kill an active SSH tunnel process.
- tunlist — This command will list all active SSH tunnels.
- killalltuns — Kills all SSH tunnel processes.
- shell — This will execute a given shell command and send the response to the active C&C server.
- load — This command will download and run an executable from a specific URl. The output will be reported to the hacker-controlled server.
- socks — This will create a reverse SSH tunnel which is to be run between the C&C server and other clients.
- selfkill — This will remove the active malware from the infected machines.
- loaddll — This is very similar to “load” but for DLL files.
- bk — This will set the reverse SSH tunnel to use a C&C specified remote host instead of the hardcoded server.
- hijack — This command will hijack a given user account with a known person. This is done by creating a preset batch file that will interact with the Windows Registry and Scheduled tasks service.
- forcekill — This will kill all processes using the Windows “taskkill” command.
- sethijack — This will control a built-in “alert” mechanism. This is done by a separate program which monitors the user login events. When a legitimate user logs a built-in behavior pattern will automatically start: the “chrome” and “fox” commands will be run, the profiles will be copied to the “supportaccount” user and alerting the hacker controllers.
- chromeport — This implements the same functionality as “chrome”. This will also lead to the “FlawedGrace” malware delivery.
Most of the ServHelper Trojan aim to deliver the FlawedGrace RAT. It is a payload that is delivered through the Trojan which acts as a dropper. As soon as it is launched a built-in behavior pattern will be started. It will create, encrypt and store a configuration file that contains information about the hacker-controlled server. The FlawedGrace RAT uses a separate binary protocol for communications and it can use a different port for communication as defined by its controllers. The default one is 443.
A list of the commands that have been identified from a network analysis is the following:
target_remove, target_update, target_reboot, target_module_load, target_module_load_external, target_module_unload, target_download, target_upload, target_rdp, target_passwords, target_servers, target_script, destroy_os and desktop_stat
The fact that the ServHelper Trojan and the associated FlawedGrace RAT are bundled together in most of the attack campaigns shows that the threat actor behind it is experienced. All delivery campaigns so far target companies and not individual users. We anticipate that future versions will be developed having an even more dangerous arsenal of malicious actions.
Remove NtCrypt Crypter Completely
To remove ServHelper Trojan manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal tutorial written down below. In case this manual removal does not get rid of the miner malware completely, you should search for and remove any leftover items with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such software can keep your computer secure in the future.
Martin Beltov
Martin graduated with a degree in Publishing from Sofia University. As a cyber security enthusiast he enjoys writing about the latest threats and mechanisms of intrusion.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove ServHelper Trojan from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of ServHelper Trojan from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove ServHelper Trojan from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase ServHelper Trojan from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall ServHelper Trojan from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove ServHelper Trojan from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate ServHelper Trojan from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove ServHelper Trojan from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove ServHelper Trojan
Step 2: Uninstall ServHelper Trojan and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by ServHelper Trojan on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by ServHelper Trojan there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of ServHelper Trojan from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall ServHelper Trojan and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove ServHelper Trojan via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove ServHelper Trojan files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ServHelper Trojan, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove ServHelper Trojan from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase ServHelper Trojan from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall ServHelper Trojan from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove ServHelper Trojan from Safari.
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the ServHelper Trojan will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate ServHelper Trojan from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
