ALIASES:

Virus:Win32/Virut.E (Microsoft); W32/Virut.gen (McAfee); W32.Virut!gen (Symantec); Virus.Win32.Virut.n (Kaspersky); BehavesLike.Win32.Malware.sst (mx-v) (Sunbelt); Win32/Virut.Y (AVG)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:

  • Threat Type: File infector

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This file infector arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 35,328 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 14 Jun 2013

Arrival Details

This file infector arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

Installation

This file infector drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %System Root%\IO.pif

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

Other System Modifications

This file infector adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\MSMsgs\MSMsgs_ContactOnline\
.Default

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\MSMsgs\MSMsgs_NewAlert\
.Default

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
DownloadManager

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\MSMsgs\MSMsgs_NewMail\
.Default

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\MSMsgs\MSMsgs_NewMessage\
.Default

Dropping Routine

This file infector drops the following files:

  • %System Root%\autorun.inf
  • %System%\DirectX10.dll

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.. %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.300

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.

Step 2

Delete this registry key

[ 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\AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\MSMsgs\MSMsgs_ContactOnline
    • .Default
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\MSMsgs\MSMsgs_NewAlert
    • .Default
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft
    • DownloadManager
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\MSMsgs\MSMsgs_NewMail
    • .Default
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\MSMsgs\MSMsgs_NewMessage
    • .Default

Step 3

Search and delete these components

[ Learn More ]
There may be some components that are hidden. Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the "More advanced options" option to include all hidden files and folders in the search result.
  • %System Root%\autorun.inf
  • %System%\DirectX10.dll

Step 4

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to clean files detected as PE_VIRUT.WY-1. 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.


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