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.
Installation
This Trojan creates the following folders:
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1\Wilbert
- %User Profile%\LOCALS~1
(Note: %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.. %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.)
Other System Modifications
This Trojan adds the following registry keys:
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1645522239-1292428093-682003330-1003\Software\
Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Privacy
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
SystemCertificates\ROOT\Certificates\
A9753DC515D30D1D048F33765B95C105EB58A403
It adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
AutoConfigURL = "http://{BLOCKED}dates.com/mwhaqF/87U.pac"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
AutoConfigURL = "http://{BLOCKED}dates.com/mwhaqF/87U.pac"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
WarnonBadCertRecving = "0"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Privacy
ClearBrowsingHistoryOnExit = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Privacy
CleanTIF = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Privacy
UseAllowList = "0"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
SystemCertificates\ROOT\Certificates\
A9753DC515D30D1D048F33765B95C105EB58A403
Blob = "{random values}"
It modifies the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
Connections
DefaultConnectionSettings = "{random values}"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {random values}.)
Dropping Routine
This Trojan drops the following files:
- __tmp_rar_sfx_access_check_650156
- index33.exe
- label2_ems.gif
Other Details
This Trojan connects to the following possibly malicious URL:
- http://{BLOCKED}heck.com/nsb2/SoftCheck.php?{random characters}
This report is generated via an automated analysis system.
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
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[ back ]
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_USERS\S-1-5-21-1645522239-1292428093-682003330-1003\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\ROOT\Certificates
- A9753DC515D30D1D048F33765B95C105EB58A403
To delete the registry key this malware/grayware created:
- Open Registry Editor.
» For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 users, click Start>Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter.
» For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users, click the Start button, type regedit in the Search input field then press Enter.
» For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter. - In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_USERS>S-1-5-21-1645522239-1292428093-682003330-1003>Software>Microsoft>Internet Explorer - Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
Privacy - In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>SystemCertificates>ROOT>Certificates - Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
A9753DC515D30D1D048F33765B95C105EB58A403 - Close Registry Editor.
Step 3
Delete this registry value
[ Learn More ]
[ back ]
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_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
- AutoConfigURL = "http://{BLOCKED}dates.com/mwhaqF/87U.pac"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
- AutoConfigURL = "http://{BLOCKED}dates.com/mwhaqF/87U.pac"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
- WarnonBadCertRecving = "0"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Privacy
- ClearBrowsingHistoryOnExit = "1"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Privacy
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Privacy
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\ROOT\Certificates\A9753DC515D30D1D048F33765B95C105EB58A403
To delete the registry value this malware/grayware created:
- Open Registry Editor.
» For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 users, click Start>Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter.
» For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users, click the Start button, type regedit in the Search input field then press Enter.
» For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower-left corner of the screen, click Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter. - In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Internet Settings - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
AutoConfigURL = "http://{BLOCKED}dates.com/mwhaqF/87U.pac" - In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Internet Settings - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
AutoConfigURL = "http://{BLOCKED}dates.com/mwhaqF/87U.pac" - Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
WarnonBadCertRecving = "0" - In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft>Internet Explorer>Privacy - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
ClearBrowsingHistoryOnExit = "1" - Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
CleanTIF = "1" - Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
UseAllowList = "0" - In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>SystemCertificates>ROOT>Certificates>A9753DC515D30D1D048F33765B95C105EB58A403 - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
Blob = "{random values}" - Close Registry Editor.
Step 4
Restore these modified registry values
[ Learn More ]
[ back ]
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\Internet Settings\Connections
- From: DefaultConnectionSettings = "{random values}"
To: DefaultConnectionSettings = ""{random values}""
To restore registry values this malware/grayware modified:
- Open Registry Editor. To do this:
- On Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003:
Click Start>Run, type REGEDIT in the text box provided, and then press Enter. - On Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008:
Click the Start button, type REGEDIT in the Search input field then press Enter. - On Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012:
Right-click on the lower left corner of the screen and click Run, type REGEDIT in the Run input field, and then press Enter.
- In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Internet Settings>Connections - In the right panel, locate the registry value:
DefaultConnectionSettings = "{random values}" - Right-click on the value name and choose Modify. Change the value data of this entry to:
DefaultConnectionSettings = "{random values}" - Close Registry Editor.
Step 5
Search and delete these components
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There may be some components 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.
- __tmp_rar_sfx_access_check_650156
- index33.exe
- label2_ems.gif
To manually delete a malware/grayware file from an affected system:
• For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:
- Right-click Start then click Search....
- In the File name* input box, type the following:
- __tmp_rar_sfx_access_check_650156
- index33.exe
- label2_ems.gif
- In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer then press Enter.
- Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
*Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).
• For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:
- Open a Windows Explorer window.
- For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
- For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen,then click File Explorer.
- In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
- __tmp_rar_sfx_access_check_650156
- index33.exe
- label2_ems.gif
- Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
*Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.
Step 6
Search and delete these folders
[ Learn More ]
[ back ]
Please make sure you check the
Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden folders in the search result.
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1\Wilbert
- %User Profile%\LOCALS~1
To delete malware/grayware/spyware folders:
For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:
- Right-click Start then click Search... or Find..., depending on the version of Windows you are running.
- In the File name* input box, type:
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1\Wilbert
- %User Profile%\LOCALS~1
- In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer, then press Enter.
- Once located, select the folder then press SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the folder.
- Repeat steps 2 to 4 for the remaining folders:
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1\Wilbert
- %User Profile%\LOCALS~1
*Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).
For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:
- Open a Windows Explorer window.
- For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
- For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, then click File Explorer.
- In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1\Wilbert
- %User Profile%\LOCALS~1
- Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the folder.
- Repeat steps 2-3 for the remaining folders:
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1\Wilbert
- %User Profile%\LOCALS~1
*Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.
Step 7
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_PAWXNIC.A. 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.
