Analysis by: Erika Bianca Mendoza
 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 may be downloaded by other malware/grayware from remote sites.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 29576 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 10 Aug 2011
Payload: Connects to URLs/IPs, Steals information

Arrival Details

This Trojan may be downloaded by the following malware/grayware from remote sites:

  • TROJ_MOTMOT.CI

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
PHIME2002A.exe = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\IME\V2005\PHIME2002A.exe"

NOTES:

Upon execution, it connects to a malicious server to report infection and to download a file:

  • {BLOCKED}obile.it.cx
  • {BLOCKED}toto.20x.cc
  • {BLOCKED}ia008.my5gigs.com
  • {BLOCKED}owbbs.mywebcommunity.org
  • {BLOCKED}tar.hostmefree.org
  • {BLOCKED}ail.ns01.biz
  • {BLOCKED}ree.freebyte.us
  • {BLOCKED}iki.icr38.net
  • {BLOCKED}ichi.createandhost.com
  • {BLOCKED}a.000space.com
It will then send the following HTTP request to its C&C server:
  • http://{malicious server}/bin/read_i.php?a1={parameter}

The HTTP data is encrypted and includes the following information from the affected system:

  • System user
  • CPU information
  • Operating system information
  • Number of USBs attached to the machine
  • Network card information

It does not continue its malicious routines if it finds any of the following virtual machine-related strings from the above-mentioned system information:

  • VMWARE
  • QEMU

It executes the following file which may be bundled with this malware:

  • googletoolbar.exe

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 8.900
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 8.346.04
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 10 Aug 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

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
    • PHIME2002A.exe = %Application Data%\Microsoft\IME\V2005\PHIME2002A.exe

Step 3

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

NOTES:

RECOMMENDATIONS

This malware is detected and removed by the latest Trend Micro anti-malware engine and pattern. Always keep pattern files and engines up-to-date. To know more about updating your Trend Micro product's pattern, please refer to the following Trend Micro support page:


Note: The steps apply for specific products indicated in the page.

To actively detect and protect your machine, enable real-time scanning of your Trend Micro anti-malware product. Refer to the following Trend Micro support page to know more about enabling real-time scanning in your Trend Micro product:

To enable Firewall to protect against threats: How do I enable or disable the Personal Firewall of Trend Micro Internet Security?

  • Be aware of social engineering attacks.
  • Avoid accessing the listed malicious URLs to prevent possible re-infection.
  • Monitor network connections for any suspicious connection or connectivity.
  • Regularly update list of untrusted websites.
  • Avoid downloading software cracks and/or pirated applications.
  • Block malware related websites.


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