WORM_MACOUTE.M
Worm:Win32/Macoute.A (Microsoft); Trojan.Win32.Scar (Ikarus); Trojan/Win32.Scar (AhnLab-V3)
Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)
Threat Type: Worm
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted:
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
This worm 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
1,450,496 bytes
EXE
No
14 Jan 2016
Arrival Details
This worm 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 worm drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:
- %Program Files%\win\msn.exe
(Note: %Program Files% is the Program Files folder, where it usually is C:\Program Files on all Windows operating system versions; C:\Program Files (x86) for 32-bit applications running on Windows 64-bit operating systems.)
It creates the following folders:
- %Program Files%\win
(Note: %Program Files% is the Program Files folder, where it usually is C:\Program Files on all Windows operating system versions; C:\Program Files (x86) for 32-bit applications running on Windows 64-bit operating systems.)
Autostart Technique
This worm adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
apo5 = "%Program Files%\win\msn.exe"
Propagation
This worm drops the following copy(ies) of itself in all removable drives:
- {removable drive letter}:\{existing folder name}.exe
Other Details
This worm connects to the following possibly malicious URL:
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.185.184:8829
SOLUTION
9.800
12.272.05
14 Jan 2016
12.273.00
15 Jan 2016
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
Note that not all files, folders, and registry keys and entries are installed on your computer during this malware's/spyware's/grayware's execution. This may be due to incomplete installation or other operating system conditions. If you do not find the same files/folders/registry information, please proceed to the next step.
Step 3
Delete this registry value
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
- apo5 = %Program Files%\win\msn.exe
Step 4
Search and delete this folder
- %Program Files%\win
Step 5
Search and delete this file
- {removable drive letter}:\{existing folder name}.exe
Step 6
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as WORM_MACOUTE.M. 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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