TROJ_SECTHOT.AI

October 13, 2012
 ALIASES:

Adware:Win32/Malat (Microsoft); Adware-PortalScan. (McAfee); Adware.SecondThought (Symantec); PAK:UPX, Trojan.Win32.SecondThought.cp, Trojan.Win32.SecondThought.ai (Kaspersky); Trojan.Win32.Generic!BT (Sunbelt); Trojan.Secondthought.AI (FSecure)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

28,160 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

24 Jun 2012

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 creates the following folders:

  • %Program Files%\Common Files\Slmss

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.)

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\STC

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\STC\
Client

Dropping Routine

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %Desktop%\Second Thought.lnk
  • %System Root%\myPcsearch.exe
  • %Desktop%\myPCsearch.lnk
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\Slmss\slmss.exe

(Note: %Desktop% is the current user's desktop, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Desktop on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Desktop on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Desktop on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.. %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.)

Other Details

This Trojan connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://www.{BLOCKED}ought.comconfig.html
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}ought.com/files/myPCsearch.exe
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}ought.comnewuid.php

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.200

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

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.

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • STC
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\STC
    • Client

Step 3

Search and delete these files

[ 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.
  • %Desktop%\Second Thought.lnk
  • %System Root%\myPcsearch.exe
  • %Desktop%\myPCsearch.lnk
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\Slmss\slmss.exe

Step 4

Search and delete this folder

[ Learn More ]
Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden folders in the search result.
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\Slmss

Step 5

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