Analysis by: kathleenno
ALIASES:

UltraDefraggerFraud (Symantec); Rogue:Win32/FakeRean (Microsoft); Generic FakeAlert.am (Mcafee); Mal/FakeAV-EA (Sophos)

 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 arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

It displays fake alerts that warn users of infection. It also displays fake scanning results of the affected system. It then asks for users to purchase it once scanning is completed. If users decide to purchase the rogue product, users are directed to a certain website asking for sensitive information, such as credit card numbers.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 937,984 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 02 May 2011
Payload: Drops files, Displays windows, Prevents execution of some executable files

Arrival Details

This Trojan arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

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\Run
Spyware Protection = "{malware path and filename}"

Rogue Antivirus Routine

This Trojan displays fake alerts that warn users of infection. It also displays fake scanning results of the affected system. It then asks for users to purchase it once scanning is completed. If users decide to purchase the rogue product, users are directed to a certain website asking for sensitive information, such as credit card numbers.

NOTES:
It displays the following graphical user interface (GUI):

If users decide to purchase the rogue product, they are directed to any of following sites asking for sensitive information, such as credit card numbers:
  • https://{BLOCKED}re.{BLOCKED}gdomn.com/order/pay
It may gather the following information if the user chooses to activate the product:
  • Credit card information (i.e. card type, card number, expiration date, security code)
  • Contact information (i.e.name, address, email, phone number)
It prevents the execution of any executable file, except the following:
  • audiodg.exe
  • consent.exe
  • control.exe
  • csrss.exe
  • ctfmon.exe
  • dllhost.exe
  • dwm.exe
  • dwwin.exe
  • explorer.exe
  • full_protection.exe
  • iexplore.exe
  • internat.exe
  • logonui.exe
  • lsass.exe
  • lsm.exe
  • mcagent.exe
  • mcmscsvc.exe
  • MpfAlert.exe
  • MpfSrv.exe
  • msfeedssync.exe
  • msimn.exe
  • rundll32.exe
  • SCRemover.exe
  • SearchIndexer.exe
  • services.exe
  • sim.exe
  • SLsvc.exe
  • smss.exe
  • spoolsv.exe
  • svchost.exe
  • System
  • taskeng.exe
  • taskhost.exe
  • userinit.exe
  • VMwareService.exe
  • VMwareTray.exe
  • VMwareUser.exe
  • wininit.exe
  • winlogon.exe
  • winmgmt.exe
  • WmiPrvSE.exe
  • wscntfy.exe
  • wuauclt.exe

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 8.900
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 8.132.04
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 02 May 2011

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

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.SM29

Step 3

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 4

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\Run
    • Spyware Protection = "{malware path and filename}"

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.SM29. 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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