http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/08/15/shark_trojan_creation_kit/
Malign coders have created a new version of a tool that dumbs down
the process of creating Trojan horse malware.
Shark 2 can be used to create Trojans capable of stealing
confidential data, or backdoor programs that can be used to
surreptitiously capture images from infected PCs, among other
things.
The tool is being distributed via several underground internet
forums. Software development is almost equivalent to that available
from legitimate software vendors with regular updates to the code
bringing the latest detected version up to version 2.3.2.
Virus creation toolkits have been available for years, but have
mostly been restricted to the creation of mass mailing worms and
their ilk. DIY phishing kits that dumb down the process of
constructing fraudulent websites began about two years ago. Shark 2
makes the process of infecting targets for phishing attacks or
performing other malign actions easier than ever. It means money
making malware rackets are no longer the preserve of those with at
least some programming skills.
The package offers malicious users the ability to create malware
covering various functions with little or no programming skills,
anti-virus firm Panda reports. An idiot-friendly interface means
s'kiddies can choose the malware characteristics they want.
These characteristics include specifying a server to check for
updates. Malware created using Shark 2 can be programmed to "phone
home" with details of infected systems, information that can be
posted online to a specified server displayed through a web
interface.
Shark 2 allows numerous utilities to be run on the compromised PCs.
For example, hackers could redirect victims to phishing sites or
capture login credentials for anything from IM clients to online
banks. Similarly, Trojans created using Shark 2 can capture screen
shots, audio, and keystrokes. The package can also be used to
download other malicious code onto infected computers.
The malware also allows would-be Dr Evils to specify what services
are blocked on infected machines, and contains features designed to
prevent detection.
Shark 2 allows malware to be UPX packaged and configured to end its
own processes when it detects debuggers (packages commonly used to
decipher malware) and VMware, making it more difficult to
detect.
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