Analysis by: kathleenno

 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 searches for .DLL files in the %System% directory then drops files using names of files found randomly.

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 executes the dropped file(s). As a result, malicious routines of the dropped files are exhibited on the affected system.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 772,096 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 14 Jun 2011
Payload: Drops 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 registers itself as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup by adding the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\{random service name}32
ImagePath = "%System%\{random file name-1}32.exe"

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\DomainProfile\AuthorizedApplications\
List
%System%\{random file name-1}32.exe = "%System%\{random file name-1}32.exe:*:Enabled:Windows Update Service"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\
List
%System%\{random filename-1}32.exe = %System%\{random filename-1}32.exe:*:Enabled:Windows Update Service

Dropping Routine

This Trojan executes the dropped file(s). As a result, malicious routines of the dropped files are exhibited on the affected system.

NOTES:
It searches for .DLL files in the %System% directory then drops the following files using names of files found randomly:

  • %System%\{random file name-1}32.exe - copy of itself
  • %System%\{random file name-2}32.exe - copy of itself
  • %System%\{random file name-3}32.dll- detected as TROJ_TRACUR.AC
  • %System%\{random file name-4}32.dll- detected as TROJ_TRACUR.AC

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 8.900
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 8.224.11
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 14 Jun 2011

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 malware files dropped/downloaded by TROJ_LEXBOT.A

    TROJ_TRACUR.AC

Step 3

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as TROJ_LEXBOT.A

Step 4

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 5

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\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
    • {random service name}32

Step 6

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\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\DomainProfile\AuthorizedApplications\List
    • %System%\{random file name-1}32.exe = %System%\{random file name-1}32.exe:*:Enabled:Windows Update Service
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\List
    • %System%\{random file name-1}32.exe = %System%\{random file name-1}32.exe:*:Enabled:Windows Update Service

Step 7

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