Virus.Win32.LOOKED.AB

January 20, 2022
 Analysis by: Nathaniel Gregory Ragasa
 ALIASES:

Win32/Viking.BZ virus(NOD32), W32.Looked.P(NORTON)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Virus

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

It injects its dropped file/component to specific processes.

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

34,483 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Arrival Details

This Virus 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 Virus drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %Windows%\rundll132.exe

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

It drops the following files:

  • {Infected Directory}\_desktop.ini
  • %Windows%\Dll.dll

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

It adds the following processes:

  • net stop "Kingsoft AntiVirus Service"

It injects its dropped file/component to the following processes:

  • explorer.exe

Autostart Technique

This Virus modifies the following registry entries to ensure it automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
Load = C:\Windows\rundl132.exe

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

File Infection

This Virus infects the following file types:

  • .exe

Other Details

This Virus connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://www.{BLOCKED}y.com.tw/tools/yp.txt
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}y.com.tw/tools/tt1.txt
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}y.com.tw/tools/thot.txt
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}y.com.tw/tools/04.txt
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}y.com.tw/tools/05.txt
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}y.com.tw/tools/06.txt
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}y.com.tw/tools/07.txt
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}y.com.tw/tools/08.txt
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}y.com.tw/tools/09.txt
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}y.com.tw/tools/10.txt

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

17.326.08

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

19 Jan 2022

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

17.327.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

20 Jan 2022

Step 1

Trend Micro Predictive Machine Learning detects and blocks malware at the first sign of its existence, before it executes on your system. When enabled, your Trend Micro product detects this malware under the following machine learning name:

     
    • TROJ.Win32.TRX.XXPE50FFF052

Step 2

Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.

Step 3

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 4

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 5

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\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
    • From: load = %Windows%\rundl132.exe
      To: load = {blank}

Step 6

Search and delete this file

[ Learn More ]
There may be some 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.
  • {Infected Directory}\_desktop.ini
  • %Windows%\Dll.dll
  • %Windows%\rundll132.exe

Step 7

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as Virus.Win32.LOOKED.AB. 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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