PDF_FAREIT.BYX

 Analysis by: Rhena Inocencio

 ALIASES:

TrojanDownloader:PowerShell/Fareit (Microsoft), Trojan.PowerShell.Agent.j (Kaspersky)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Spammed via email, Downloaded from the Internet


This is the detection for a malicious PDF file that executes Windows PowerShell via its OpenAction event to download a spyware. As a result, the routines of the spyware are exhibited on the affected system.

To get a one-glance comprehensive view of the behavior of this Trojan, refer to the Threat Diagram shown below.

This Trojan arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users.

It executes the downloaded files. As a result, malicious routines of the downloaded files are exhibited on the affected system.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

Varies

File Type:

PDF

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

19 Apr 2016

Payload:

Downloads files

Arrival Details

This Trojan arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users.

Download Routine

This Trojan accesses the following websites to download files:

  • http://{BLOCKED}nda.org/.css/maha.exe

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • %Application Data%\maha.exe – detected as TSPY_FAREIT.YYSUT

(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)

It then executes the downloaded files. As a result, malicious routines of the downloaded files are exhibited on the affected system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

12.476.07

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

19 Apr 2016

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

12.477.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

20 Apr 2016

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

Note that not all files, folders, and registry keys and entries are installed on your computer during this malware's/spyware's/grayware's execution. This may be due to incomplete installation or other operating system conditions. If you do not find the same files/folders/registry information, please proceed to the next step.

Step 3

Remove the malware/grayware file dropped/downloaded by PDF_FAREIT.BYX. (Note: Please skip this step if the threat(s) listed below have already been removed.)

    • TSPY_FAREIT.YYSUT

Step 4

Search and delete these files

[ Learn More ]
There may be some 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.  
  • %Application Data%\maha.exe

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as PDF_FAREIT.BYX. 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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