Analysis by: Dianne Lagrimas

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This description is based on a compiled analysis of several variants of TROJ_ARTIEF. Note that specific data such as file names and registry values may vary for each variant.

This Trojan arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users. It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

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: Varies
File Type: DOC, RTF
Initial Samples Received Date: 19 Sep 2007
Payload: Drops files

Arrival Details

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

It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

Installation

This Trojan drops the following non-malicious file:

  • %User Temp%\{random}.doc - opened by the malware to trick users into thinking that the document is non-malicious

(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.)

Dropping Routine

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\{random}.exe

(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:

  • (MS10-087) Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Could Allow Remote Code Execution (2423930)
  • RTF Stack Buffer Overflow Vulnerability (CVE-2010-3333)

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

NOTES:
This description is based on a compiled analysis of several variants of TROJ_ARTIEF. Note that specific data such as file names and registry values may vary for each variant.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 4.730.01
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 19 Sep 2007
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 8.493.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 13 Oct 2011

Trend customers:

    Keep your pattern and scan engine files updated. Trend Micro antivirus software can clean or remove most types of computer threats. Malware, though, such as Trojans, scripts, overwriting viruses and joke programs which are identified as uncleanable, should simply be deleted.

All Internet users:

    1. Use HouseCall - the Trend Micro online threat scanner to check for malware that may already be on your PC.
    2. Catch malware/grayware before they affect your PC or network. Secure your Web world with Trend Micro products that offer the best anti-threat and content security solutions for home users, corporate users, and ISPs. Go here for more information on Trend Micro products that fit your needs.


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.