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TSPY_ARDAMAX.HR

April 01, 2011
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Trojan may be downloaded by other malware/grayware/spyware from remote sites.

It adds registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

804,444 bytes

File Type:

PE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

23 Apr 2008

Payload:

Compromises system security, Drops files

Arrival Details

This Trojan may be downloaded by the following malware/grayware/spyware from remote sites:

  • JS_SHELLCOD.SMGU

Installation

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %System%\28463\AKV.exe
  • %System%\28463\MAKQ.001
  • %System%\28463\MAKQ.006
  • %System%\28463\MAKQ.007
  • %System%\28463\MAKQ.exe
  • %System%\28463\EAIY.001 - non malicious
  • %System%\28463\EAIY.006 - detected by Trend Micro as SPYW_ARDAKEY
  • %System%\28463\EAIY.007 - detected by Trend Micro as SPYW_ARDAKEY
  • %System%\28463\EAIY.exe - detected by Trend Micro as TROJ_ARDAMAX.AW
  • %User Temp%\@3A.tmp - non malicious
  • %User Temp%\@3B.tmp
  • %User Temp%\GB1.EXE
  • %User Temp%\MS.EXE
  • %User Temp%\SETTINGS
  • %system%\28463\key.bin - non malicious

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\System32 on Windows NT and 2000, or C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP and Server 2003.. %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 creates the following folders:

  • %system%\28463

Autostart Technique

This Trojan adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\
dows\CURRENTVERSION\Run
MAKQ Agent = %System%\28463\MAKQ.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\
Windows\CURRENTVERSION\Run
EAIY Agent = %system%\28463\EAIY.exe

Other Details

This Trojan does the following:

  • files into a folder in %System% directory. It executes EAIY.EXE then terminates itself.
  • Logs keystrokes, sites accessed, chat logs and screenshot, in turn compromising system security. The gathered information are sent to the following FTP server:{BLOCKED}view.agilityhoster.com.
  • Uses the following login credential to connect to the FTP:
    USER: 282320_asas
    PASSWORD: 123456789
  • Dropped component has a user interface that looks like:

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

8.900

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

5.883.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

5.883.00

Step 1

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

Step 2

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

Remove malware files dropped/downloaded by TSPY_ARDAMAX.HR

    JS_SHELLCOD.SMGU
    SPYW_ARDAKEY
    TROJ_ARDAMAX.AW

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\Windows\CURRENTVERSION\Run
    • MAKQ Agent = %System%\28463\MAKQ.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\Windows\CURRENTVERSION\Run
    • EAIY Agent = %system%\28463\EAIY.exe

Step 5

Search and delete this folder

[ 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.
%System%\28463\

Step 6

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 Temp%\@3A.tmp 
%User Temp%\@3B.tmp 
%User Temp%\GB1.EXE 
%User Temp%\MS.EXE  
%User Temp%\SETTINGS

Step 7

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TSPY_ARDAMAX.HR 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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