Analysis by: Sabrina Lei Sioting
 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 arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

It displays fake alerts that warn users of infection. It also displays fake scanning results of the affected system. It then asks for users to purchase it once scanning is completed. If users decide to purchase the rogue product, users are directed to a certain website asking for sensitive information, such as credit card numbers. It asks the user to purchase the full version of the software.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 378,368 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 17 May 2011
Payload: Connects to URLs/IPs, Displays fake alerts

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.

Installation

This Trojan drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random name}.exe

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

It drops the following files:

  • %User Profile%\Desktop\Windows XP Recovery.lnk
  • %User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Windows XP Recovery\Uninstall Windows XP Recovery.lnk
  • %User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Windows XP Recovery\Windows XP Recovery.lnk

(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name} on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name} on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random name}
  • %User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Windows XP Recovery

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name} on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name} on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

It displays the following fake error messages:



Other Details

This Trojan connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://www.{BLOCKED}s-xp-recovery.com/secure/payments

Rogue Antivirus Routine

This Trojan displays fake alerts that warn users of infection. It also displays fake scanning results of the affected system. It then asks for users to purchase it once scanning is completed. If users decide to purchase the rogue product, users are directed to a certain website asking for sensitive information, such as credit card numbers.

It asks the user to purchase the full version of the software.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 8.900
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 8.162.05
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 17 May 2011
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 8.163.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 18 May 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

Search and delete these folders

[ Learn More ]
Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden folders in the search result.
%System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random name}
%User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Windows XP Recovery

Step 3

Search and delete these files

[ Learn More ]
There may be some component files that are hidden. Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden files and folders in the search result.  %User Profile%\Desktop\Windows XP Recovery.lnk

Step 4

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


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.