Analysis by: Michael Cabel
ALIASES:

Exploit:Win32/CVE-2010-3333 (Microsoft)

 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 specially crafted RTF file takes advantage of a vulnerality in certain versions of Microsoft Office to download another malicious file that Trend Micro detects as BKDR_TURKOJAN.JF. As a result, routines of the downloaded backdoor are also exhibited on the infected system.

This Trojan may be downloaded by other malware/grayware/spyware from remote sites. It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 642 bytes
File Type: Other
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 29 Dec 2010
Payload: Downloads files, Bypasses Windows Firewall

Arrival Details

This Trojan may be downloaded by other malware/grayware/spyware from remote sites.

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

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
system
EnableLUA = 0

It creates the following registry entry(ies) to bypass Windows Firewall:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\
List
%System%\a.exe = "%System%\a.exe:*:Enabled:@xpsp2res.dll,-22019"

Download Routine

This Trojan connects to the following website(s) to download and execute a malicious file:

  • http://{BLOCKED}owsupdate.net/xxdd/svchost.exe

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • %System%\a.exe - detected as BKDR_TURKOJAN.JF

(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.)

Other Details

More information on this vulnerability can be found below:

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 8.900
VSAPI PATTERN File: 7.734.10
VSAPI PATTERN Date: 29 Dec 2010
VSAPI PATTERN Date: 12/29/2010 12:00:00 AM

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 EXPL_ARTIEF.A

    BKDR_TURKOJAN.JF

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\policies\system
    • EnableLUA = 0
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\List
    • %System%\a.exe = %System%\a.exe:*:Enabled:@xpsp2res.dll,-22019

Step 4

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

Step 5

Download and apply this security patch Refrain from using these products until the appropriate patches have been installed. Trend Micro advises users to download critical patches upon release by vendors.


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