TROJ_MONKIF.AE

 Analysis by: Karl Dominguez

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This malware checks for specific running processes in the affected system.

It connects to specific URLs in order to download malicious files.

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

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

24,600 bytes

File Type:

DLL

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

05 Apr 2011

Payload:

Drops files, Downloads files

Arrival Details

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

Installation

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\{random file name}.tmp - also detected as TROJ_MONKIF.AE
  • %User Temp%\msfat32 - also detected as TROJ_MONKIF.AE

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

It adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:

  • Local\UIEI

Autostart Technique

This Trojan adds the following registry keys to install itself as a Browser Helper Object (BHO):

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{random CLSID}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\PROTOCOLS\Filter\
text/html

It registers itself as a BHO to ensure its automatic execution every time Internet Explorer is used by adding the following registry entries:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{random CLSID}
(Default) = %User Temp%\msfat32

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{random CLSID}
ThreadingModel = Apartment

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\PROTOCOLS\Filter\
text/html
CLSID = {random CLSID}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\PROTOCOLS\Filter\
text/html
(Default) = Microsoft Improved HTML MIME Filter

NOTES:
It enumerates all running processes to check if any of the following are running:

  • ACAAS.exe
  • ACAEGMr.exe
  • ACAIS.exe
  • ACALS.exe
  • ACASP.exe
  • acs.exe
  • AFMain.exe
  • AGIDSUI.exe
  • AhnSD.exe
  • AhnSDsv.exe
  • ALMon.exe
  • ALsvc.exe
  • AluSchedulerSvc.exe
  • ApVxdWin.exe
  • ashDisp.exe
  • ashMaiSv.exe
  • ashServ.exe
  • ashWebSv.exe
  • aswUpdSv.exe
  • avesvc.exe
  • avgam.exe
  • avgamsvr.exe
  • avgas.exe
  • avgcc.exeexe
  • avgcsrvx.exe
  • avgemc.exe
  • avgfws8.exe
  • AVGIDSAgent.exe
  • AVGIDSMonitor.exe
  • AVGIDSWatcher.exe
  • avgnsx.exe
  • avgrsx.exe
  • avgtray.exe
  • avgupd.exe
  • avgupsvc.exe
  • avgwdsvc.exe
  • avgwsvc.exeavp.exe
  • avpmapp.exe
  • avwebgrd.exe
  • caavguiscan.exe
  • CAGlobal.exe
  • CAGlobalLight.exe
  • capfasem.exe
  • cappactiveprotection.exe
  • casc.exe
  • casecuritycenter.exe
  • cavrid.exe
  • CClaw.exe
  • ccschedulersvc.exe
  • CCSVCHST.EXE
  • cctray.exe
  • CounterSpy.exe
  • drwebscd.exe
  • egui.exe
  • ekrn.exe
  • elogsvc.exe
  • EMLPROUI.EXE
  • EMLPROXY.EXE
  • FAMEH32.exe
  • FCH32.EXE
  • ForceField.exe
  • forsp.exe
  • FPAVServer.exe
  • FProtTray.exe
  • fsaua.exe
  • fsav32.exe
  • fsavgui.exe
  • fsdfwd.exe
  • fsgk32.exe
  • fsgk32st.exe
  • fsguidll.exe
  • FSM32.EXE
  • FSMA32.EXE
  • FSMB32.exe
  • fspc.exe
  • fsqh.exe
  • fssm32.exe
  • fsus.exe
  • guard.exe
  • guardxkickoff.exe
  • guardxservice.exe
  • guardxup.exe
  • hcontain.exe
  • HFACSvc.exe
  • hpcsvc.exe
  • HrRes.exe
  • hsvcmod.exe
  • IFace.exe
  • isafe.exe
  • ISWSVC.exe
  • ITMRTSVC.exe
  • K7EmlPxy.exe
  • K7FWSrvc.exe
  • K7PSSrvc.exe
  • K7RTScan.exe
  • K7SysMon.exe
  • K7SysTry.exe
  • K7TSecurity.exe
  • K7TSMngr.exe
  • livesrv.exe
  • mcagent.exe
  • mcmscsvc.exe
  • McNASvc.exe
  • McProxy.exe
  • McSACore.exe
  • mcshell.exe
  • Mcshield.exe
  • mcsysmon.exe
  • mcupdmgr.exe
  • mcvsmap.exee
  • mcvsshld.exe
  • mdmcls32.exe
  • MpfSrv.exe
  • MSASCui.exe
  • msfwsvc.exe
  • msksrver.exe
  • MsMpEng.exe
  • MSProxy.ahn
  • Nbrowser.exe
  • Nip.exe
  • Njeeves.exe
  • npcsvc32.exe
  • npfsvc32.exe
  • npfuser.exe
  • nprosec.exe
  • Nsesvc.exe
  • nuaa.exe
  • Nvcoas.exe
  • nvcsched.exe
  • nvoy.exe
  • OcHealthMon.exe
  • ONLINENT.EXE
  • ONLNSVC.EXE
  • op_mon.exe
  • OPSSVC.EXE
  • PavBckPT.exe
  • PavFnSvr.exe
  • PavPrSrv.exe
  • PAVSRV51.EXE
  • PPCtlPriv.exe
  • prevx.exe
  • PSANHost.exe
  • PSHost.exe
  • psksvc.exe
  • PslmSvc.exe
  • PSUNMain.exe
  • PXAgent.exe
  • PXConsole.exe
  • qhfw.exe.EXE
  • QOELoader.exe
  • QUHLPSVC.EXE
  • RavMon.exe
  • RavTask.exe
  • rsnetsvr.exe
  • RsTray.exexe
  • SAVAdminService.exe
  • SavService.exe
  • SBCSSvc.exe
  • SBCSTray.exe
  • SCANMSG.EXE
  • SCANWSCS.EXE
  • seccenter.exe
  • SfCtlCom.exe
  • SpIDerAgent.exe
  • SpIDerMI.exe
  • spiderml.exe
  • spidernt.exe
  • spidersgate.exe
  • spiderui.exe
  • svcprs32.exe
  • symlcsvc.exe
  • TMBMSRV.exe
  • TmPfw.exe
  • TmProxy.exe
  • TRAYSSER.EXE
  • TSCFCommander.exe
  • TSCFPlatformCOMSvr.exe
  • UfNai.exe
  • UfSeAgnt.exe
  • UfUpdUi.exe
  • UmxAgent.exe
  • UmxCfg.exe
  • UmxFwHlp.exe
  • UmxPol.exe
  • UPSCHD.EXE
  • vba32ldr.exe
  • vbcmserv.exe
  • vbsystry.exe
  • vetmsg.exe
  • virCatch.exe
  • virusutilities.exe
  • vrfwsock.exe
  • vrfwsvc.exe
  • vrmonnt.exe
  • vrmonsvc.exe
  • vrrepair.exe
  • vrscan.exe
  • vsmon.exe
  • vsserv.exe
  • WEBPROXY.EXE
  • winss.exe
  • winssnotify.exe
  • WinSSUI.exe
  • xcommsvr.exe
  • Zanda.exe
  • zlclient.exe
  • Zlh.exe
  • vmacthlp.exe
  • VMwareService.exe
  • VMwareTray.exe
  • VMwareUser.exe
  • SBAMSvc.exee
  • SBAMTray.exe
  • sbamui.exexe
  • BDTUpdateService.exe
  • pctsAuxs.exe
  • pctsSvc.exe
  • pctsTray.exe
  • TFService.exe
  • pctsGui.exe
  • AVKProxy.exe
  • AVKService.exe
  • AVKTray.exe
  • AVKWCtl.exe
  • GDFirewallTray.exe
  • GDFwSvc.exe
  • GDSC.exe
  • GDScan.exe
  • GDScan.exe
  • THAV.EXE
  • THD32.EXE
  • THSM.EXE
  • dvpapi.exe
  • syssvcnt.exe
  • avgui.exe
  • avinitnt.exe
  • avtray.exe
  • dvprpt.exe
  • untray.exe
  • WRConsumerService.exe
  • SpySweeper.exe
  • SpySweeperUI.exe
  • SSU.exe
  • SSU.exe
  • uiscan.exe
  • livesrv.exe
  • vsserv.exe
  • seccenter.exe
  • MWAGENT.EXE
  • escanmon.exe
  • CONSCTL.EXE
  • MWASER.EXE
  • econceal.exe
  • econser.exe
  • MAILDISP.EXE
  • TRYICOS.EXE
  • tpcfg.exe
  • tppfdmm.exe
  • avmgma.exe
  • avas.exe
  • gozer.exe
  • TDWatch.exe
  • tptray.exe
  • avcom.exe
  • avcom.exe
  • a2services.exe
  • a2guard.exe
  • a2start.exe
  • cmdagent.exe
  • cfp.exet.exe
  • TeaTimer.exe
  • SpybotSD.exe
  • AAWService.exe
  • AAWTray.exe
  • Ad-Aware.exe
  • AGB6.exe.exe
  • AGBKrnl.exe
  • ALive.exe
  • ACenter.exe
  • AScheduleService.exe
  • kpfw32.exe
  • kavstart.exe
  • kwatch.exe
  • kpfwsvc.exe
  • kmailmon.exe
  • kissvc.exe
  • Arcabit.Core.LoggingService.exe
  • arcarvir.exe
  • ABregmon.exe
  • AVMenu.exe
  • ARCATA~1.EXE
  • ArcaBackupService.exe
  • ArcaRemoteSvc.exe
  • ArcaBit.Core.Configurator2.exe
  • NetMonSV.exe
  • FileMonSV.exe
  • KVMonXp.kxp
  • KVXp.kxp
  • KVSrvXP.exe
  • msseces.exe
  • MsMpEng.exe
The malware connects to the following URL to report to the remote user if the above-mentioned processes exist in the affected system. It may also download other malicious files from this Website such as TROJ_EVADIPED.AM:
  • www.{BLOCKED}ies.com/photo/{random characters}.php?{random characters}={encrypted code for the running processes}

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

8.900

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

7.950.07

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

05 Apr 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

Remove malware files dropped/downloaded by TROJ_MONKIF.AE

     TROJ_EVADIPED.AM

Step 3

Close all opened browser windows

Step 4

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_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {random CLSID}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\PROTOCOLS\Filter
    • text/html

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_MONKIF.AE. 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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