WORM_PALEVO.QSI
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
Threat Type: Worm
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: Yes
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
Propagates via removable drives, Propagates via peer-to-peer networks
This worm arrives via removable drives. It arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.
It drops an AUTORUN.INF file to automatically execute the copies it drops when a user accesses the drives of an affected system.
It runs certain commands that it receives remotely from a malicious user. Doing this puts the affected computer and information found on the computer at greater risk. However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
1,568,768 bytes
PE
Yes
17 Dec 2010
Downloads files
Arrival Details
This worm arrives via removable drives.
It 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 worm drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:
- C:\RECYCLER\S-1-5-21-5427444835-1907545215-394663684-4866\recycle.exe
It creates the following folders:
- C:\RECYCLER\S-1-5-21-5427444835-1907545215-394663684-4866
It is injected into the following processes running in memory:
- EXPLORER.EXE
Autostart Technique
This worm adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Taskman = C:\RECYCLER\S-1-5-21-5427444835-1907545215-394663684-4866\recycle.exe
Propagation
This worm drops copies of itself into the following folders used in peer-to-peer (P2P) networks:
- Ares
- BearShare
- iMesh
- Shareaza
- Kazaa
- DC++
- Emule
- LimeWire
It drops an AUTORUN.INF file to automatically execute the copies it drops when a user accesses the drives of an affected system.
The said .INF file contains the following strings:
{garbage}
[autorun
;{garbage}
open=U3ROM/flyhigh.exe
;{garbage}
:jmp0
;{garbage}
icon=%SystemRoot%\system32\SHELL32.dll,4
;{garbage}
:jmp3
;{garbage}
action=Open folder to view files using Windows Explorer
;{garbage}
shelL\opeN\commanD=U3ROM/flyhigh.exe
;{garbage}
Shell\Explore\Command=U3ROM/flyhigh.exe
;{garbage}
useautoplay=1
;{garbage}
:GOTO NUL
Backdoor Routine
This worm executes the following command(s) from a remote malicious user:
- P2P Propagation
- Drive Infect
- Flooding
- Port Scanning
- MSN Spread
- Back Connect
However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
Other Details
This worm attempts to access the following websites to download files, which are possibly malicious:
- {BLOCKED}svc.com
- {BLOCKED}windows.net
- {BLOCKED}cureupdate.com
SOLUTION
8.900
7.706.12
17 Dec 2010
12/17/2010 12:00:00 AM
Step 1
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as WORM_PALEVO.QSI
Step 2
Restart in Safe Mode
Step 3
Delete this registry value
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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
- Taskman = C:\RECYCLER\S-1-5-21-5427444835-1907545215-394663684-4866\recycle.exe
Step 4
Search and delete this folder
- C:\RECYCLER\S-1-5-21-5427444835-1907545215-394663684-4866
Step 5
Search and delete AUTORUN.INF files created by WORM_PALEVO.QSI that contain these strings
[autorun
;{garbage}
open=U3ROM/flyhigh.exe
;{garbage}
:jmp0
;{garbage}
icon=%SystemRoot%\system32\SHELL32.dll,4
;{garbage}
:jmp3
;{garbage}
action=Open folder to view files using Windows Explorer
;{garbage}
shelL\opeN\commanD=U3ROM/flyhigh.exe
;{garbage}
Shell\Explore\Command=U3ROM/flyhigh.exe
;{garbage}
useautoplay=1
;{garbage}
:GOTO NUL
Step 6
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as WORM_PALEVO.QSI. 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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