TROJ_ARTIEF.IXC

October 09, 2012
 Analysis by: Michael Cabel
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Trojan arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users.

It does not have any propagation routine.

It executes the dropped file(s). As a result, malicious routines of the dropped files are exhibited on the affected system.

It does not have any downloading capability.

It does not have any information-stealing capability.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

158,066 bytes

File Type:

RTF

Initial Samples Received Date:

26 Dec 2011

Arrival Details

This Trojan arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users.

Propagation

This Trojan does not have any propagation routine.

Dropping Routine

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\microsoft.exe - detected as BKDR_VILSEL.XA

(Note: %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 takes advantage of the following software vulnerabilities to drop malicious files:

  • Stack-based buffer overflow in Certain versions of Microsoft Office

It executes the dropped file(s). As a result, malicious routines of the dropped files are exhibited on the affected system.

Download Routine

This Trojan does not have any downloading capability.

Information Theft

This Trojan does not have any information-stealing capability.

Other Details

More information on this vulnerability can be found below:

NOTES:

This Trojan also drops and opens the following non-malicious .RTF file to trick users into thinking that the executed file is legitimate:

  • %User Temp%\{Malware File Name}.doc

The dropped file is actually .RTF file with a .DOC extension.

The said RTF file contains the following image:

It does not have rootkit capabilities.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.200

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

8.668.02

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

26 Dec 2011

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

8.669.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

27 Dec 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

Remove malware files dropped/downloaded by TROJ_ARTIEF.IXC

Step 3

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as TROJ_ARTIEF.IXC

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.  
  • %User Temp%\{Malware File Name}.doc

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_ARTIEF.IXC. 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.

NOTES:

For updates on available workarounds and patches for this vulnerability, please refer to the following page:


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