TROJ_QHOST.SMUC1
Trojan:Win32/Startpage.OR (Microsoft); Trojan.Gen (Symantec); Trojan.Win32.Qhost.rbe (Kaspersky); BehavesLike.Win32.Malware.sfd (mx-v) (Sunbelt); Trojan.Agent.ARCK (FSecure)
Windows 2000, Windows, XP, Windows Server 2003

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
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.
Other System Modifications
This Trojan modifies the following file(s):
- %System%\drivers\etc\hosts
(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)
It deletes the following files:
- %Desktop%\Internet Explorer.url
- %Desktop%\Internet Explorer.lnk
- %Desktop%\Mozilla Firefox.lnk
- %Desktop%\360°²È«ÎÀÊ¿.lnk
- %Desktop%\360Èí¼þ¹Ü¼Ò.lnk
- %Desktop%\360ɱ¶¾.lnk
- %Desktop%\ÈðÐÇɱ¶¾Èí¼þ.lnk
- %Desktop%\ÐÞ¸´ÈðÐÇÈí¼þ.lnk
- %Desktop%\Õ˺ű£ÏÕ¹ñ.lnk
- %Start Menu%\Internet Explorer.url
- %Start Menu%\Internet Explorer.lnk
- %Start Menu%\Mozilla Firefox.lnk
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Internet Explorer.url
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Internet Explorer.lnk
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Mozilla Firefox.lnk
- %User Profile%\Quick Launch\Internet Explorer.url
- %User Profile%\Quick Launch\Internet Explorer.lnk
- %User Profile%\Quick Launch\Mozilla Firefox.lnk
- %User Profile%\Quick Launch\Æô¶¯ Internet Explorer ä¯ÀÀÆ÷.lnk
- %User Profile%\Quick Launch\ÈðÐÇɱ¶¾Èí¼þ.lnk
- %User Profile%\360se\360se_s.ini
- %User Profile%\×ÀÃæ\Internet Explorer.lnk
- %User Profile%\×ÀÃæ\ÌÔ±¦É̳Ç.lnk
- %System%\drivers\etc\hosts
(Note: %Desktop% is the current user's desktop, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Desktop on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop on Windows Vista and 7.. %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu on Windows Vista and 7.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.. %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)
It adds the following registry keys:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\htmfile
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\htmfile\DefaultIcon
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\htmfile\shell\
open\command
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\PlayFlashDXA
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\
Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel
It adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
ShowSuperHidden = 1
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
PlayFlashDXA
1 = 132df1
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
PlayFlashDXA
cdafile2 = 3d4a3
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
PlayFlashDXA
9 = 1
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\
Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel
HomePage = 1
It modifies the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
HideFileExt = 1
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Start Page = "http://www.{BLOCKED}e.com"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=msnhome.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Start Page = "http://www.{BLOCKED}e.com"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd={SUB_PRD}&clcid={SUB_CLSID}&pver={SUB_PVER}&ar=home.)
It deletes the following registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced\Folder\Hidden\
SHOWALL
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced\Folder\SuperHidden
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced\Folder\HideFileExt
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced\HideFileExt
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\TypedUrls
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced\Folder\Hidden\
NOHIDDEN
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced\Folder\Hidden
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Internet
Dropping Routine
This Trojan drops the following files:
- %System%\msscp.reg
- %Program Files%\Common Files\System\taobao.ico
- %Desktop%\Internet Explorer.html
- %Start Menu%\Internet Explorer.html
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Internet Explorer.html
- %User Profile%\Quick Launch\Internet Explorer.html
- %Favorites%\Ãâ·Ñ¿´µçÓ°.url
- %Favorites%\ÌÔ±¦Íø£¡.url
(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (64-bit).. %Desktop% is the current user's desktop, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Desktop on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop on Windows Vista and 7.. %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu on Windows Vista and 7.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.. %Favorites% is the current user's Favorites folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Favorites on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\Favorites on Windows Vista and 7.)
This report is generated via an automated analysis system.
SOLUTION
Step 1
Before doing any scans, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.
Step 2
Delete this registry key
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_CLASSES_ROOT
- htmfile
- In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\htmfile
- DefaultIcon
- In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\htmfile\shell\open
- command
- In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
- PlayFlashDXA
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer
- Control Panel
Step 3
Delete this registry value
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\Explorer\Advanced
- ShowSuperHidden=1
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\PlayFlashDXA
- 1=132df1
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\PlayFlashDXA
- cdafile2=3d4a3
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\PlayFlashDXA
- 9=1
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel
- HomePage=1
Step 4
Restore these modified registry values
Important:Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this only if you know how to or you can seek your system administrator's help. You may also check out this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
- From: HideFileExt=1
To: HideFileExt=1
- From: HideFileExt=1
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
- From: Start Page="http://www.{BLOCKED}e.com"
To: Start Page=http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=msnhome
- From: Start Page="http://www.{BLOCKED}e.com"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
- From: Start Page="http://www.{BLOCKED}e.com"
To: Start Page=http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd={SUB_PRD}&clcid={SUB_CLSID}&pver={SUB_PVER}&ar=home
- From: Start Page="http://www.{BLOCKED}e.com"
Step 5
Search and delete these components
- %System%\msscp.reg
- %Program Files%\Common Files\System\taobao.ico
- %Desktop%\Internet Explorer.html
- %Start Menu%\Internet Explorer.html
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Internet Explorer.html
- %User Profile%\Quick Launch\Internet Explorer.html
- %Favorites%\Ãâ·Ñ¿´µçÓ°.url
- %Favorites%\ÌÔ±¦Íø£¡.url
Step 6
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_QHOST.SMUC1. 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 7
Restore deleted/modified files and/or registry entries from backup
*Note: Only Microsoft-related files/keys/values will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted registry keys/values related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on your computer.
- %System%\drivers\etc\hosts
Step 8
Restore this file from backup only Microsoft-related files will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted files related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on you computer again.
- %Desktop%\Internet Explorer.url
- %Desktop%\Internet Explorer.lnk
- %Desktop%\Mozilla Firefox.lnk
- %Desktop%\360°²È«ÎÀÊ¿.lnk
- %Desktop%\360Èí¼þ¹Ü¼Ò.lnk
- %Desktop%\360ɱ¶¾.lnk
- %Desktop%\ÈðÐÇɱ¶¾Èí¼þ.lnk
- %Desktop%\ÐÞ¸´ÈðÐÇÈí¼þ.lnk
- %Desktop%\Õ˺ű£ÏÕ¹ñ.lnk
- %Start Menu%\Internet Explorer.url
- %Start Menu%\Internet Explorer.lnk
- %Start Menu%\Mozilla Firefox.lnk
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Internet Explorer.url
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Internet Explorer.lnk
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Mozilla Firefox.lnk
- %User Profile%\Quick Launch\Internet Explorer.url
- %User Profile%\Quick Launch\Internet Explorer.lnk
- %User Profile%\Quick Launch\Mozilla Firefox.lnk
- %User Profile%\Quick Launch\Æô¶¯ Internet Explorer ä¯ÀÀÆ÷.lnk
- %User Profile%\Quick Launch\ÈðÐÇɱ¶¾Èí¼þ.lnk
- %User Profile%\360se\360se_s.ini
- %User Profile%\×ÀÃæ\Internet Explorer.lnk
- %User Profile%\×ÀÃæ\ÌÔ±¦É̳Ç.lnk
- %System%\drivers\etc\hosts
Step 9
Restore these deleted registry keys/values from backup
*Note: Only Microsoft-related keys/values will be restored. If the malware/grayware also deleted registry keys/values related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on your computer.
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden
- SHOWALL
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder
- SuperHidden
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder
- HideFileExt
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
- HideFileExt
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer
- TypedUrls
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden
- NOHIDDEN
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder
- Hidden
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
- Internet
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