HKTL_GAMEHACK

 Analysis by: Erika Bianca Mendoza

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Hacking Tool

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This hacking tool may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites. It may be manually installed by a user.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

817,664 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

29 Dec 2011

Arrival Details

This hacking tool may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

It may be manually installed by a user.

Installation

This hacking tool drops the following files:

  • %Current Directory%\TestDriver.sys
  • %Current Directory%\License.dat

Autostart Technique

This hacking tool registers its dropped component as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup. It does this by creating the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\ASLKMemoryDriver
ImagePath = "??%Current Directory%\TestDriver.sys"

Other System Modifications

This hacking tool adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\ASLKMemoryDriver

NOTES:

It attempts to access the following URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}16.atpages.jp/aslk/program/2011/index.php

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.200

SSAPI PATTERN File:

1.253.00

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

12 Jan 2012

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

Identify and terminate files detected as HKTL_GAMEHACK

[ Learn More ]
  1. Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
  2. 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.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

Step 3

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.

  • InHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
    • ASLKMemoryDriver

Step 4

Search and delete these files

[ 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.
  • %Current Directory%\License.dat
  • %Current Directory%\TestDriver.sys

Step 5

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