TROJ_MISLEADAPP.A

 Analysis by: Sabrina Lei Sioting

 ALIASES:

Rogue:Win32/FakeScanti (Microsoft), W32/Goolbot.KA!tr.bdr (Fortinet), Trojan.Win32.FakeAV (Ikarus),

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware

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

As of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

117,760 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

29 Apr 2010

Payload:

Drops files, Downloads files

Arrival Details

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

  • %Program Files%\qtime8_32.exe

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (64-bit).)

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Quick Time Updater = "%Program Files%\qtime8_32.exe"

Dropping Routine

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\win3.tmp - detected as TROJ_SMALL.LJK

(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, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.)

Download Routine

This Trojan connects to the following URL(s) to download its component file(s):

  • http://{BLOCKED}19.aquashoolonline.com/stget2.cgi?host=host&id=3019

As of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

NOTES:

It installs itself as a WireShark Antivirus software.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

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

Remove the malware/grayware file dropped/downloaded by TROJ_MISLEADAPP.A

    • TROJ_SMALL.LJK

Step 3

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • Quick Time Updater = "%Program Files%\qtime8_32.exe"

Step 4

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