Analysis by: Karl Dominguez
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This malware takes advantage of a vulnerability in Microsoft Word with the way it handles specially crafted email messages in RTF format.

To get a one-glance comprehensive view of the behavior of this Trojan, refer to the Threat Diagram shown below.

This Trojan exploits the RTF Stack Overflow Vulnerability to drop and execute TROJ_INJECT.ART.

This Trojan arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users. It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 1,066,411 bytes
File Type: Other
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 14 Dec 2010
Payload: Drops files

Arrival Details

This Trojan arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users.

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

Installation

This Trojan drops and executes the following files:

Dropping Routine

This Trojan takes advantage of the following software vulnerabilities to drop malicious files:

  • RTF Stack Buffer Overflow vulnerability

Other Details

More information on this vulnerability can be found below:

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 8.900
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 7.701.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 14 Dec 2010

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_ARTIEF.SM

Step 3

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_ARTIEF.SM. 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 4

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.


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.

Related Malware