Analysis by: jasperm

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Trojan may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites. However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 169,472 bytes
File Type: PE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 30 Sep 2010
Payload: Downloads files

Arrival Details

This Trojan may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

Autostart Technique

This Trojan adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{malware name} = {malware path and file name}.EXE

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
IMWebControlUpdateInst = {malware path}\libungif4visual.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
MFC80UMicrosoft = {malware path}\microsoftmicrosoft.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Servicesmime3 = {malware path}\pbvideoconfservices.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
{malware name} = {malware path and file name}.EXE

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
ConvertersMicrosoft2003.1100.5510 = {malware path}\microsoftmsconv97.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
Diagnosticstbdres = {malware path}\diagnosticstbdres.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
msinfo32Office = {malware path}\microsoftoinfos11.exe

Download Routine

This Trojan accesses the following websites to download files:

  • {BLOCKED}config.com
  • {BLOCKED}igh.in

Other Details

Based on analysis of the codes, it has the following capabilities:

  • This malware accesses the said websites to possibly download a variant of FAKEAV.

It does the following:

  • This malware drops copies of itself in randomly selected folders in the %Program Files% directory:
  • Microsoftmsconv97.exe
  • MicrosoftOInfoS11.exe
  • Diagnosticstbdres.exe
  • pbvideoconfServices.exe
  • libungif4Visual.exe
  • MicrosoftMicrosoft.exe

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (64-bit).)

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 8.900
VSAPI PATTERN File: 7.504.16
VSAPI PATTERN Date: 30 Sep 2010
VSAPI PATTERN Date: 9/30/2010 12:00:00 AM

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

Identify and terminate files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.SMZU

[ Learn More ]
  1. Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
  2. If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

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.

RESTORE
  • Close Registry Editor.
  • Step 4

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