Analysis by: Abraham Latimer Camba
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 841,728 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 24 Feb 2012

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Internet Security = "{malware path}\{malware filename}"

Other System Modifications

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{random value}
O`ld = "Houdsodu!Rdbtshux"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{random value}
FRun = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{random value}
Q`ui = "{random value}"

Other Details

This Trojan connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}onlinedatabase.com/404.php?id=92

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 8.772.04
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 12 Feb 2012
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 8.773.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 13 Feb 2012

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_FAKEAV.SMJX

Step 3

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 4

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • Internet Security = "{malware path}\{malware filename}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{random value}
    • O`ld = "Houdsodu!Rdbtshux"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{random value}
    • Frun = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{random value}
    • Q`ui = {random value}

Step 5

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