SVCHOST.EXE

File Behavior

SVCHOST.EXE has been seen to perform the following behavior:

• The Process is packed and/or encrypted using a software packing process
• The Process is polymorphic and can change its structure
• Adds a Registry Key (RUN) to auto start Programs on system start up
• Modifies System Runtime Policies to limit system usability
• Executes a Process
• This process creates other processes on disk
• This Process Deletes Other Processes From Disk
• Registers a Dynamic Link Library File
• Opens browser pop ups
• Writes to another Process's Virtual Memory (Process Hijacking)
• Terminates Processes
• Can communicate with other computer systems using HTTP protocols
• Modifies the Windows Host File which could be used to stop you visiting specific web sites by redirecting you to alternative addresses without you knowing
• Installs a browser helper object (BHO)
• Creates new folders on the system
• Copies files
• Downloads program file(s) and other content from the web
• Injects code into other processes
• Enables an In Process Object/Server - Common with DLL Injections
• Adds a new task to the Scheduled Task list
• Changes DNS server settings which could enable phishing/pharming attacks using web site redirection
• Creates a TCP port which listens and is available for communication initiated by other computers
• Can communicate with other computers using TCP protocols
• Automatically changes your firewall settings to allow itself or other programs to communicate over the internet
• Disables the Notification Balloon for the Windows Security Center
• Enables a COM Object/Server on the Local Machine
• Creates a new Background Service on the machine
• Looks at the contents of the autoexec.bat file
• Reads email address and phone book details
• Includes file creation code which could be used to test for interception by security products
• Injects code into other processes
• Uses DNS to retrieve the IP address for web sites
• Registers or amends SMTP Mail Servers on the public internet
• Creates new folders in the file system
• Creates system tray popups, messages, errors and security warnings
• Downloads hidden code from covert web sites
• Visits web sites on your PC without you knowing
• Disables safe mode on your PC
• Checks for the use of debuggers
• This Process is a file infector which modifies program files to include a copy of the infection
• Sends mail without telling you
• Uses reverse DNS to retrieve the host names on IP addresses
• Registers Start Of Authority configuration settings for email servers
• Uses hidden browser windows to connect to web sites without telling you
• Modifies fixed, removable or USB drives using autorun to execute or spread infection
• Uses backdoor interfaces to certain security applications
• Runs Javascript code
• This Process looks to see what security products and services are running on the system
• Uses low level raw disk access which could bypass security applications and checks
• Modifies TCP/IP settings
• Sets processes to start during user logon
• Uses functions commonly associated with BOTNET BOT agents
• Found on infected systems and resists interrogation by security products
• Uses low level functions to hide itself from the user and from system/security processes

SVCHOST.EXE has been the subject of the following behavior:

• Created as a process on disk
• Executed as a Process
• Deleted as a process from disk
• Has code inserted into its Virtual Memory space by other programs
• Terminated as a Process
• Executed from Temporary Folders
• Added as a Registry auto start to load Program on Boot up
• Copied to multiple locations on the system
• Registered as a Dynamic Link Library File
• Victim of a Heap Based Buffer Overflow Exploit
• Created by processes which appear to be checking for interception by security products
• This process has been seen to have code injected by malicious programs
• Created as a new Background Service on the machine
• Executed by Internet Explorer
• Downloaded from covert web sites without the user knowing
• This program is often downloaded from the web
• Enabled as a COM Object/Server on the Local Machine