TROJ_PASTA.FQ

 Modified by: Nice Yutuc

 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 Trojan arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

23,552 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

14 Feb 2012

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.

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\infoaxe_google

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\URLSearchHooks\{717EDDE0-444F-4ff0-B9C9-F60EC423E690}

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\DefaultScope
60 = "infoaxe_google"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\infoaxe_google\
DisplayName
68 = "Google + Infoaxe"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\infoaxe_google\
FaviconURL
140 = "http://www.infoaxe.com/favicon.ico"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\infoaxe_google\
URL
604 = "http://www.infoaxe.com/enhancedsearch.jsp?cx=partner-pub-6808396145675874:scfw9ganq4h&cof=FORID:10&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=%7bsearchTerms%7d&sa=Search&dummyRnd=29"

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Start Page = "http://www.infoaxe.com/enhancedsearchform.jsp"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {user defined}.)

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.200

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

8.778.01

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

15 Feb 2012

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

8.779.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

16 Feb 2012

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_PASTA.FQ

[ 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

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
    • From: Start Page = "http://www.infoaxe.com/enhancedsearchform.jsp"
      To: Start Page = "{user defined}"

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 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\DefaultScope
    • 60 = "infoaxe_google"

Step 5

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes
    • infoaxe_google
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\URLSearchHooks
    • {717EDDE0-444F-4ff0-B9C9-F60EC423E690}

Step 6

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_PASTA.FQ. 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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