Analysis by: kathleenno

ALIASES:

Rogue:Win32/Winwebsec (Microsoft); FakeAlert-SecurityTool.bt (Mcafee)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Trojan may be downloaded from remote sites by other malware.

It connects to certain URLs. It may do this to remotely inform a malicious user of its installation. It may also do this to download possibly malicious files onto the computer, which puts the computer at a greater risk of infection by other threats.

It deletes the initially executed copy of itself.

It displays fake alerts that warn users of infection. It also displays fake scanning results of the affected system. It then asks for users to purchase it once scanning is completed. If users decide to purchase the rogue product, users are directed to a certain website asking for sensitive information, such as credit card numbers.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 385,024 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 29 Jul 2011
Payload: Steals information, Displays message/message boxes, Downloads files

Arrival Details

This Trojan may be downloaded from remote site(s) by the following malware:

  • TROJ_BREDO.NEW

Installation

This Trojan drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe

It drops the following non-malicious file:

  • C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random folder name}\{random file name}

It creates the following folders:

  • C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random folder name}

Autostart Technique

This Trojan adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
{random file name} = C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe

Download Routine

This Trojan connects to the following malicious URLs:

  • http://{BLOCKED}2.{BLOCKED}2.67.200/api/urls/?affid=11000
  • http://{BLOCKED}2.{BLOCKED}2.67.200/api/stats/install/1004/11000

It connects to the following website(s) to download and execute a malicious file:

  • http://{BLOCKED}2.{BLOCKED}4.4.134/{random}.exe?affid=11000 - detected as TROJ_FAKESYS.HBB

Other Details

This Trojan deletes the initially executed copy of itself

Rogue Antivirus Routine

This Trojan displays fake alerts that warn users of infection. It also displays fake scanning results of the affected system. It then asks for users to purchase it once scanning is completed. If users decide to purchase the rogue product, users are directed to a certain website asking for sensitive information, such as credit card numbers.

NOTES:
It prevents the execution of any executable file, aside from the following:

  • aeadisrv.exe
  • alg.exe
  • audiodg.exe
  • conhost.exe
  • csrss.exe
  • ctfmon.exe
  • dwm.exe
  • explorer.exe
  • firefox.exe
  • httpd.exe
  • iastordatamgrsvc.exe
  • iexplore.exe
  • lsass.exe
  • lsm.exe
  • mdnsresponder.exe
  • mfnsvc.exe
  • nvscpapisvr.exe
  • nvsvc.exe
  • nvvsvc.exe
  • opera.exe
  • pdagent.exe
  • rundll32.exe
  • searchindexer.exe
  • services.exe
  • slsvc.exe
  • slsvc.exe
  • smss.exe
  • snort.exe
  • spoolsv.exe
  • svchost.exe
  • taskhost.exe
  • wininit.exe
  • winlogon.exe
  • winroute.exe
  • wmiprvse.exe
  • wscntfy.exe
  • wuauclt.exe
  • It displays the following graphical user interface (GUI):
    If user clicks remove it will display the following
    If user chooses to activate, it displays the following:
    It may gather the following information if the user chooses to activate the product:
    • Credit card information such as card type, card number, expiration date, name
    • Contact information such as email, country, address, phone number
    Stolen information may be sent to the following site:
    • {BLOCKED}e.{BLOCKED}stpayplus.com

      SOLUTION

    Minimum Scan Engine: 8.900
    VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 8.319.00
    VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 29 Jul 2011

    Step 1

    For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.

    Step 2

    Search and delete this folder

    [ Learn More ]
    Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden folders in the search result.
    • C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random folder name}

    Step 3

    Restart in Safe Mode

    [ Learn More ]

    Step 4

    Delete this registry value

    [ Learn More ]

    Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this step only if you know how or you can ask assistance from your system administrator. Else, check this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

    • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
      • {random file name} = "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe"

    Step 5

    Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.SMHB. If the detected files have already been cleaned, deleted, or quarantined by your Trend Micro product, no further step is required. You may opt to simply delete the quarantined files. Please check this Knowledge Base page for more information.

    Step 6

    Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.SMHB. If the detected files have already been cleaned, deleted, or quarantined by your Trend Micro product, no further step is required. You may opt to simply delete the quarantined files. Please check this Knowledge Base page for more information.

    Step 7

    Remove the malware/grayware file that dropped/downloaded TROJ_FAKEAV.SMHB


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