TROJ_FAKEAV.FQP

October 09, 2012
 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 deletes the initially executed copy of itself.

When users agree to buy the software, it connects to a certain URL.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

332,800 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

04 Feb 2012

Arrival Details

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

  • http://www.{BLOCKED}tarlogic.com/forum/Themes/core/images/topic/1.exe

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

  • TROJ_DOFOIL.GE

Installation

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random folder name}\{random filename}
  • %Desktop%\Smart Protection 2012.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Smart Protection 2012\Smart Protection 2012.lnk

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.. %Desktop% is the current user's desktop, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Desktop on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Desktop on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Desktop on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.. %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows NT and C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random folder name}\{random filename}.exe

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

It creates the following folders:

  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random folder name}
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Smart Protection 2012

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.. %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows NT and C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

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 filename} = %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random folder name}\{random filename}.exe

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry keys as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Smart Protection 2012

Other Details

This Trojan deletes the initially executed copy of itself

Rogue Antivirus Routine

When users agree to buy the software, it connects to the following URL to continue the purchase:

  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.174.135
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.170.125

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.200

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

8.752.08

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

04 Feb 2012

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

8.753.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

04 Feb 2012

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 the malware/grayware file that dropped/downloaded TROJ_FAKEAV.FQP

     
    • TROJ_DOFOIL.GE

Step 3

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.FQP

Step 4

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 5

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 filename} = %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random folder name}\{random filename}.exe

Step 6

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. Before you could do this, you must restart in Safe Mode. For instructions on how to do this, you may refer to this page If the preceding step requires you to restart in safe mode, you may proceed to edit the system registry.


Step 7

Search and delete these folders

[ 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.
  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random folder name}
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Smart Protection 2012

Step 8

Search and delete this file

[ Learn More ]
There may be some component files 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.
  • %Desktop%\Smart Protection 2012.lnk

Step 9

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.FQP. 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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