TROJ_MECIV.A
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
Threat Type: Trojan
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: No
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
This Trojan arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users. It may arrive bundled with malware packages as a malware component. It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.
It executes the downloaded files. As a result, malicious routines of the downloaded files are exhibited on the affected system.
It deletes the initially executed copy of itself.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Arrival Details
This Trojan arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users.
It may arrive bundled with malware packages as a malware component.
It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.
Installation
This Trojan drops the following component file(s):
- %System%\mspmsnsr.dll{unknown characters} - also detected as TROJ_MECIV.A
(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\System32 on Windows NT and 2000, or C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP and Server 2003.)
Its DLL component is injected to the following process(es):
- svchost.exe
It creates the following folders:
- %Application Data%\Microsoft Office Update
(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)
It adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:
- LINLINLVMAN
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\WmdmPmSp\Parameters
ServiceDll = "%System%\system32\mspmsnsr.dll{unknown characters}"
Download Routine
This Trojan connects to the following URL(s) to download its component file(s):
- {BLOCKED}t.{BLOCKED}-vip.com
- {BLOCKED}t.{BLOCKED}officeonline.com
- {BLOCKED}p.{BLOCKED}-vip.com
It then executes the downloaded files. As a result, malicious routines of the downloaded files are exhibited on the affected system.
Other Details
This Trojan deletes the initially executed copy of itself
SOLUTION
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
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as TROJ_MECIV.A
Step 3
Restart in Safe Mode
Step 4
Delete this registry key
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\WmdmPmSp
Step 5
Search and delete this folder
- %Application Data%\Microsoft Office Update
Step 6
Search and delete the file detected as TROJ_MECIV.A
Step 7
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TROJ_MECIV.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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