Analysis by: Christopher Daniel So
 Modified by: Roland Marco Dela Paz
ALIASES:

Trojan.Pidief (Symantec); Troj/PDFJs-LB (Sophos)

 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

Infection Channel: Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware

This Trojan arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users. It arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

It executes the dropped file(s). As a result, malicious routines of the dropped files are exhibited on the affected system.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 195,757 bytes
File Type: PDF
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 31 May 2012
Payload: Drops files

Arrival Details

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

It arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

Dropping Routine

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\svchost.exe - detected as BKDR_POISON.EQIA
  • %User Temp%\{malware file name} - non-malicious PDF
  • %User Temp%\iph.bat - executes %User Temp%\svchost.exe and %User Temp%\{malware file name}

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

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

  • Adobe Reader and Acrobat 'newplayer()' JavaScript Method Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

It executes the dropped file(s). As a result, malicious routines of the dropped files are exhibited on the affected system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 9.156.01
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 31 May 2012
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 9.157.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 31 May 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

Remove malware files dropped/downloaded by TROJ_PIDIEF.HBP

    • BKDR_POISON.EQIA

Step 3

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as TROJ_PIDIEF.HBP

Step 4

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 Temp%\{malware file name}
  • %User Temp%\iph.bat

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_PIDIEF.HBP. 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 6

Download and apply these security patches Refrain from using these products until the appropriate patches have been installed. Trend Micro advises users to download critical patches upon release by vendors. http://www.adobe.com/support/security/advisories/apsa09-07.html


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