ALIASES:

Trojan.SpamThru (Symantec); ARC:SIM, PAK:[12]:UPX (Kaspersky); Trojan.SpamThru (Sunbelt)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Adware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This adware 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: 1,329,874 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 13 May 2012

Arrival Details

This adware 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 adware creates the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\$inst
  • %Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com
  • %Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk
  • %Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\dlls
  • %Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\RadioSYS
  • %Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\setup
  • %Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\channels
  • %Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\download
  • %Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\logs
  • %Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\sounds

(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.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.)

Other System Modifications

This adware deletes the following files:

  • %User Temp%\$inst\0.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\1.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\3.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\4.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\5.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\6.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\7.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\8.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\9.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\10.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\11.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\12.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\13.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\14.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\15.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\16.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\17.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\20.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\50.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\21.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\51.tmp

(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 registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
mIRCTurk 6.2

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\mIRC

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
mIRC

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
.cha

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
.chat

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
ChatFile

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
ChatFile\DefaultIcon

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
ChatFile\Shell\open\
command

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
ChatFile\Shell\open\
ddeexec

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
ChatFile\Shell\open\
ddeexec\Application

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
ChatFile\Shell\open\
ddeexec\ifexec

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
ChatFile\Shell\open\
ddeexec\Topic

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
irc

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
irc\DefaultIcon

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
irc\Shell\open\
command

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
irc\Shell\open\
ddeexec

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
irc\Shell\open\
ddeexec\Application

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
irc\Shell\open\
ddeexec\ifexec

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
irc\Shell\open\
ddeexec\Topic

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Microsoft Agent

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
mIRCTurk 6.2
DisplayName = "mIRCTurk 6.2"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
mIRCTurk 6.2
DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\Uninstall.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
mIRCTurk 6.2
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\Uninstall.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
mIRCTurk 6.2
NoModify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
mIRCTurk 6.2
NoRepair = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\mIRC
LastRun = "1330100081,0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
mIRC
DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\mIRCTurk.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
mIRC
DisplayName = "mIRC"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
mIRC
DisplayVersion = "6.21"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
mIRC
Publisher = "mIRC Co. Ltd."

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
mIRC
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\mIRCTurk.exe -uninstall"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
mIRC
URLUpdateInfo = "http://www.{BLOCKED}c.com"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\irc
EditFlags = "{random values}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Microsoft Agent
VoiceEnabled = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Microsoft Agent
UseVoiceTips = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Microsoft Agent
KeyHoldHotKey = "91"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Microsoft Agent
UseBeepSRPrompt = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Microsoft Agent
SRTimerDelay = "7d"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Microsoft Agent
SRModeID = "{random values}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Microsoft Agent
EnableSpeaking = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Microsoft Agent
UseBalloon = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Microsoft Agent
UseCharacterFont = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Microsoft Agent
UseSoundEffects = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Microsoft Agent
SpeakingSpeed = "5"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Microsoft Agent
PropertySheetX = "f423f"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Microsoft Agent
PropertySheetY = "f423f"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Microsoft Agent
PropertySheetWidth = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Microsoft Agent
PropertySheetHeight = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Microsoft Agent
PropertySheetPage = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Microsoft Agent
CommandsWindowLeft = "ffffffff"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Microsoft Agent
CommandsWindowTop = "ffffffff"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Microsoft Agent
CommandsWindowWidth = "c8"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Microsoft Agent
CommandsWindowHeight = "c8"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Microsoft Agent
CommandsWindowLocationSet = "0"

Dropping Routine

This adware drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\$inst\2.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\temp_0.tmp
  • %Desktop%\mIRCTurk.lnk
  • %Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\Uninstall.ini

(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.. %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.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.)

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200

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

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • mIRCTurk 6.2
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • mIRC
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • mIRC
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes
    • .cha
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes
    • .chat
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes
    • ChatFile
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\ChatFile
    • DefaultIcon
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\ChatFile\Shell\open
    • command
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\ChatFile\Shell\open
    • ddeexec
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\ChatFile\Shell\open\ddeexec
    • Application
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\ChatFile\Shell\open\ddeexec
    • ifexec
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\ChatFile\Shell\open\ddeexec
    • Topic
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes
    • irc
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\irc
    • DefaultIcon
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\irc\Shell\open
    • command
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\irc\Shell\open
    • ddeexec
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\irc\Shell\open\ddeexec
    • Application
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\irc\Shell\open\ddeexec
    • ifexec
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\irc\Shell\open\ddeexec
    • Topic
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft
    • Microsoft Agent

Step 3

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\mIRCTurk 6.2
    • DisplayName = "mIRCTurk 6.2"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\mIRCTurk 6.2
    • DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\Uninstall.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\mIRCTurk 6.2
    • UninstallString = "%Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\Uninstall.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\mIRCTurk 6.2
    • NoModify = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\mIRCTurk 6.2
    • NoRepair = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\mIRC
    • LastRun = "1330100081,0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\mIRC
    • DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\mIRCTurk.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\mIRC
    • DisplayName = "mIRC"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\mIRC
    • DisplayVersion = "6.21"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\mIRC
    • Publisher = "mIRC Co. Ltd."
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\mIRC
    • UninstallString = "%Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\mIRCTurk.exe -uninstall"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\mIRC
    • URLUpdateInfo = "http://www.{BLOCKED}c.com"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\irc
    • EditFlags = "{random values}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Agent
    • VoiceEnabled = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Agent
    • UseVoiceTips = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Agent
    • KeyHoldHotKey = "91"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Agent
    • UseBeepSRPrompt = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Agent
    • SRTimerDelay = "7d"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Agent
    • SRModeID = "{random values}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Agent
    • EnableSpeaking = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Agent
    • UseBalloon = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Agent
    • UseCharacterFont = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Agent
    • UseSoundEffects = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Agent
    • SpeakingSpeed = "5"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Agent
    • PropertySheetX = "f423f"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Agent
    • PropertySheetY = "f423f"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Agent
    • PropertySheetWidth = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Agent
    • PropertySheetHeight = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Agent
    • PropertySheetPage = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Agent
    • CommandsWindowLeft = "ffffffff"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Agent
    • CommandsWindowTop = "ffffffff"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Agent
    • CommandsWindowWidth = "c8"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Agent
    • CommandsWindowHeight = "c8"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Agent
    • CommandsWindowLocationSet = "0"

Step 4

Search and delete these files

[ 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.
  • %User Temp%\$inst\2.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\temp_0.tmp
  • %Desktop%\mIRCTurk.lnk
  • %Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\Uninstall.ini

Step 5

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.
  • %User Temp%\$inst
  • %Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com
  • %Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk
  • %Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\dlls
  • %Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\RadioSYS
  • %Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\setup
  • %Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\channels
  • %Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\download
  • %Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\logs
  • %Program Files%\mIRCTurk.Com\mIRCTurk\sounds

Step 6

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

Step 7

Restore this file from backup only Microsoft-related files will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted files related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on you computer again.

  • %User Temp%\$inst\0.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\1.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\3.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\4.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\5.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\6.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\7.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\8.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\9.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\10.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\11.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\12.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\13.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\14.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\15.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\16.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\17.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\20.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\50.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\21.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\51.tmp


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