TROJ_RANSOM.SM05
PWS:Win32/Fareit.gen!C (Microsoft), Trojan-PSW.Win32.Tepfer.npvb (Kaspersky), W32/Kryptik.BDPK!tr (Fortinet)
Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)

Threat Type: Trojan
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted:
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
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 modifies the Internet Explorer Zone Settings.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
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.
Installation
This Trojan drops the following file(s)/component(s):
- %Application Data%\{Random Folder Name}\{Random File Name}.exe
(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista and 7.)
Autostart Technique
This Trojan modifies the following registry entries to ensure it automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{Random File Name} = "%Application Data%\{Random Folder Name}\{Random File Name}.exe"
Other System Modifications
This Trojan adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
{Random Characters}
{Random Characters} = "{Random Hex Values}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
{Random Characters}
{Random Characters} = "{Random Strings}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR
{Random Hash} = "{Random Hex Values}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR
{Random Hash} = "{Random Hex Values}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR
HWID = "{Random Hex Values}"
It modifies the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities
Identity Ordinal = "2"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is "1".)
Web Browser Home Page and Search Page Modification
This Trojan modifies the Internet Explorer Zone Settings.
Other Details
This Trojan connects to the following possibly malicious URL:
- http://{BLOCKED}ppingcarts.com/forum/viewtopic.php
- http://{BLOCKED}ppingcarts.net/forum/viewtopic.php
- http://{BLOCKED}tockfoodimages.com/forum/viewtopic.php
- http://{BLOCKED}rynow.com/forum/viewtopic.php
- http://www.{BLOCKED}k.1stpads.com/ijiK.exe
- http://{BLOCKED}i.com/eK1q.exe
- http://{BLOCKED}nd.rcomhost.com/WMs9Lz.exe
- http://www.{BLOCKED}trade.co.uk/ULiC.exe
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
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as TROJ_RANSOM.SM05
Step 3
Restart in Safe Mode
Step 4
Search and delete this file
- %Application Data%\{Random Folder Name}\{Random File Name}.exe
Step 5
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\{Random Characters}
- {Random Characters} = "{Random Hex Values}"
- {Random Characters} = "{Random Hex Values}"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\{Random Characters}
- {Random Characters} = "{Random Strings}"
- {Random Characters} = "{Random Strings}"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR
- {Random Hash} = "{Random Hex Values}"
- {Random Hash} = "{Random Hex Values}"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR
- {Random Hash} = "{Random Hex Values}"
- {Random Hash} = "{Random Hex Values}"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR
- HWID = "{Random Hex Values}"
- HWID = "{Random Hex Values}"
Step 6
Restore this modified 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\Identities
- From: Identity Ordinal = "2"
To: Identity Ordinal = "1"
- From: Identity Ordinal = "2"
Step 7
Reset Internet security settings
Step 8
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TROJ_RANSOM.SM05. 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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