TROJ_CLICKER.AAD


 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Trojan bears the file icons of certain applications to avoid easy detection and consequent removal.

It connects to a website to send and receive information.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

246,399 bytes

File Type:

PE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

14 Jan 2011

Payload:

Connects to URLs/Ips

Installation

This Trojan drops the following non-malicious file:

  • {malware path}\~$temp.doc - non-malicious DOC file

It bears the file icons of the following applications:

  • MSWord DOC file

It creates the following folders:

  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Proof

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

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
iexplore = {malware path and file name}

Backdoor Routine

This Trojan connects to the following websites to send and receive information:

  • http://news.on{BLOCKED}.com

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

8.900

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

7.768.09

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

14 Jan 2011

Step 1

For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.

Step 2

Identify and terminate files detected as TROJ_CLICKER.AAD

[ Learn More ]
  1. 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.
  2. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

Step 3

Search and delete these folders

[ Learn More ]
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.  %Application Data%\Microsoft\Proof

Step 4

Search and delete this file

[ 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. {malware path}\~$temp.doc

Step 5

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 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • iexplore = {malware path and file name}

Step 6

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_CLICKER.AAD. 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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