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TROJ_FAKEAL.SMLA

January 20, 2014
 Analysis by: Sabrina Lei Sioting
 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 modifies registry entries to disable the Windows Firewall settings. This action allows this malware to perform its routines without being deteted by the Windows Firewall.

It deletes the initially executed copy of itself.

It displays fake alerts that warn users of infection. It also displays fake scanning results of the affected system. It then asks for users to purchase it once scanning is completed. If users decide to purchase the rogue product, users are directed to a certain website asking for sensitive information, such as credit card numbers. It asks the user to purchase the full version of the software. When users agree to buy the software, it connects to a certain URL.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

344,064 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

30 Jun 2011

Installation

This Trojan drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %User Profile%\Local Settings\Application Data\{random three letter}.exe

(Note: %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.)

It drops the following component file(s):

  • %User Profile%\Local Settings\Application Data\gih2y2156hq16nf072
  • %User Temp%\gih2y2156hq16nf072
  • %system root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\gih2y2156hq16nf072
  • %User Profile%\Templates\gih2y2156hq16nf072

(Note: %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.. %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, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.)

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
1086952713 = "%User Profile%\Local Settings\Application Data\{random three letter}.exe"

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\DefaultIcon

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\shell

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\shell\
open

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\shell\
open\command

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\shell\
runas

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\shell\
runas\command

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
.exe

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
.exe\DefaultIcon

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
.exe\shell

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
.exe\shell\open

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
.exe\shell\open\
command

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
.exe\shell\runas

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
.exe\shell\runas\
command

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
exefile

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
exefile\DefaultIcon

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
exefile\shell

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
exefile\shell\open

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
exefile\shell\open\
command

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
exefile\shell\runas

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
exefile\shell\runas\
command

It adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\shell\
open\command
{default} = ""%User Profile%\Local Settings\Application Data\{random three letter}.exe" -a "%1" %*"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
.exe\shell\open\
command
{default} = ""%User Profile%\Local Settings\Application Data\{random three letter}.exe" -a "%1" %*"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
exefile\shell\open\
command
{default} = ""%User Profile%\Local Settings\Application Data\{random three letter}.exe" -a "%1" %*"

It modifies the following registry key(s)/entry(ies) as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\
open\command
{default} = ""%User Profile%\Local Settings\Application Data\{random three letter}.exe" -a "%1" %*"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is "%1" %*.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\
StartMenuInternet\FIREFOX.EXE\shell\
open\command
{default} = ""%User Profile%\Local Settings\Application Data\{random three letter}.exe" -a "%Program Files%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe""

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %Program Files%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\
StartMenuInternet\FIREFOX.EXE\shell\
safemode\command
{default} = ""%User Profile%\Local Settings\Application Data\{random three letter}.exe" -a "%Program Files%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -safe-mode"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is "%Program Files%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -safe-mode.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\
StartMenuInternet\IEXPLORE.EXE\shell\
open\command
{default} = ""%User Profile%\Local Settings\Application Data\{random three letter}.exe" -a "%Program Files%\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe""

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is "%Program Files%\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe".)

It modifies the following registry entries to disable the Windows Firewall settings:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile
EnableFirewall = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile
DisableNotifications = "1"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 0.)

It creates the following registry entry(ies) to bypass Windows Firewall:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\DomainProfile
EnableFirewall = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\DomainProfile
DoNotAllowExceptions = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\DomainProfile
DisableNotifications = "0"

Other Details

This Trojan deletes the initially executed copy of itself

Rogue Antivirus Routine

This Trojan displays fake alerts that warn users of infection. It also displays fake scanning results of the affected system. It then asks for users to purchase it once scanning is completed. If users decide to purchase the rogue product, users are directed to a certain website asking for sensitive information, such as credit card numbers.

It asks the user to purchase the full version of the software.

When users agree to buy the software, it connects to the following URL to continue the purchase:

  • http://{BLOCKED}qesulaja.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}zypo.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}jito.com

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

8.900

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

8.257.00

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

30 Jun 2011

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

Identify and terminate files detected as TROJ_FAKEAL.SMLA

[ Learn More ]
  1. Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
  2. If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

Step 3

Delete this registry key

[ 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_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe
    • DefaultIcon
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe
    • shell
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes
    • .exe
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes
    • exefile

Step 4

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 In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • 1086952713 = "%User Profile%\Local Settings\Application Data\{random three letter}.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\DomainProfile
    • DoNotAllowExceptions = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\DomainProfile
    • DisableNotifications = "0"

Step 5

Delete these registry values

[ 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_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftSecurity Center

    • FirewallDisableNotify = "1"
    • UpdatesDisableNotify = "1"
    • AntiVirusDisableNotify = "1"
    • AntiVirusOverride = "1"
    • FirewallOverride = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPolicies
    MicrosoftWindowsFirewallDomainProfile

    • EnableFirewall = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPolicies
    MicrosoftWindowsFirewall StandardProfile

    • EnableFirewall = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoft
    WindowsWindowsUpdate

    • DoNotAllowXPSP2 = "1"

Step 6

Restore this modified 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_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command
    • From: {default} = ""%User Profile%\Local Settings\Application Data\{random three letter}.exe" -a "%1" %*"
      To: {default} = ""%1" %*"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\FIREFOX.EXE\shell\open\command
    • From: {default} = ""%User Profile%\Local Settings\Application Data\{random three letter}.exe" -a "%Program Files%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe""
      To: {default} = "%Program Files%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\FIREFOX.EXE\shell\safemode\command
    • From: {default} = ""%User Profile%\Local Settings\Application Data\{random three letter}.exe" -a "%Program Files%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -safe-mode"
      To: {default} = ""%Program Files%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -safe-mode"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\IEXPLORE.EXE\shell\open\command
    • From: {default} = ""%User Profile%\Local Settings\Application Data\{random three letter}.exe" -a "%Program Files%\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe""
      To: {default} = ""%Program Files%\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe""
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile
    • From: DisableNotifications = "1"
      To: DisableNotifications = "0"

Step 7

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 Profile%\Local Settings\Application Data\gih2y2156hq16nf072
  • %User Temp%\gih2y2156hq16nf072
  • %system root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\gih2y2156hq16nf072
  • %User Profile%\Templates\gih2y2156hq16nf072

Step 8

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_FAKEAL.SMLA. 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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