Arrival Details
This worm arrives via removable drives.
It 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 worm adds the following folders:
- %User Profile%\M-5050259496274820495709285240
- %User Profile%\M-5050246729046092458024675787
- %User Profile%\M-5050259496274253820495709285240
(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.)
It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system and executes them:
- %User Profile%\M-5050259496274253820495709285240\winmgr.exe
(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.)
Autostart Technique
This worm adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Microsoft Windows Manager = %User Profile%\M-5050259496274820495709285240\winmgr.exe
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Microsoft Windows Manager = %User Profile%\M-5050259496274253820495709285240\winmgr.exe
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Microsoft Windows Service = %User Profile%\M-5050246729046092458024675787\winsvc.exe
Propagation
This worm drops the following copy(ies) of itself in all removable drives:
- {Removable Drive}:\Manager.exe
- {Removable Drive}:\Manager.bat
It drops an AUTORUN.INF file to automatically execute the copies it drops when a user accesses the drives of an affected system.
The said .INF file contains the following strings:
[autorun]
icon=%SystemRoot%\system32\SHELL32.dll,4
action=Open folder to view files
shellexecute=Manager.bat
shellexecute=Manager.vbs
UseAutoPlay=1
Backdoor Routine
This worm connects to the following websites to send and receive information:
- srv20.ru
- srv30.ru
- srv40.ru
- host10.ru
- host11.ru
Download Routine
This worm connects to the following website(s) to download and execute a malicious file:
- http://{BLOCKED}rkcreative.com/js/d.exe
- http://{BLOCKED}rkcreative.com/js/599.txt - list of email addresses
- http://{BLOCKED}rkcreative.com/js/t4.exe - winmgr.exe
- http://{BLOCKED}rkcreative.com/js/doc.exe - winsvc.exe
It saves the files it downloads using the following names:
- %User Profile%\M-5050259496274820495709285240\winmgr.exe
- %User Profile%\M-5050246729046092458024675787\winsvc.exe
- %User Temp%\{random characters}.jpg
(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.. %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)
NOTES:
This worm terminates itself if the following conditions are met:
- Any of the following processes are running:
Wireshark.exe
NETSTAT.EXE
Tcpview.exe
Procmon.exe
OLLYDBG.EXE
msseces.exe
MSASCui.exe
MRT.exe
- Checks presence of the following to see if its running in a virtual machine:
qemu
virtual
vmware
SbieDllX.dll
SbieDll.dll
This worm creates .LNK shortcut files pointing to the copy of WORM_PHORPIEX.CP named {Removable Drive}:\Manager.exe.
It then sets the attribute of the said
folders to hidden.
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
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 3
Restart in Safe Mode
[ Learn More ]
[ back ]
To restart in Safe Mode:
• For Windows 2000 users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 when you see the Starting Windows bar at the bottom of the screen.
- Choose the Safe Mode option from the Windows Advanced Options menu then press Enter.
• For Windows XP users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 after the Power-On Self Test (POST) routine is done. If the Windows Advanced Options menu does not appear, try restarting then pressing F8 several times when the POST screen appears.
- Choose the Safe Mode option from the Windows Advanced Options menu then press Enter.
• For Windows Server 2003 users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 after Windows starts up. If the Windows Advanced Options menu does not appear, try restarting again and pressing F8 several times afterward.
- On the Windows Advanced Option menu, use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode then press Enter.
• For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 after the Power-On Self Test (POST) routine is done. If the Advanced Boot Options menu does not appear, try restarting and then pressing F8 several times after the POST screen is displayed.
- On the Advanced Boot Options menu, use the arrow keys to select the Safe Mode option, and then press Enter.
• For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users
- Access the Charms bar by moving your mouse pointer to the upper right corner of the screen.
- Move your mouse pointer down and click Settings>Change your PC Settings.
- In the left panel, click General.
- In the right panel, scroll down to the bottom to find the Advanced startup section, then click the Restart now button and wait for the system to restart.
- In the Advanced Startup menu, click Troubleshoot>Advanced Options>Startup Settings>Restart and wait for the system to restart.
- In the Startup Settings menu, press 4 to enable safe mode.
Step 4
Delete this registry value
[ Learn More ]
[ back ]
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
- Microsoft Windows Manager = %User Profile%\M-5050259496274820495709285240\winmgr.exe
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- Microsoft Windows Manager = %User Profile%\M-5050259496274253820495709285240\winmgr.exe
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- Microsoft Windows Service = %User Profile%\M-5050246729046092458024675787\winsvc.exe
To delete the registry value this malware created:
- Open Registry Editor. To do this:
» For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 users, click Start>Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter.
» For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users, click the Start button, type regedit in the Search input field then press Enter.
» For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter. - In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Run - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
Microsoft Windows Manager = %User Profile%\M-5050259496274820495709285240\winmgr.exe - In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Run - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
Microsoft Windows Manager = %User Profile%\M-5050259496274253820495709285240\winmgr.exe - Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
Microsoft Windows Service = %User Profile%\M-5050246729046092458024675787\winsvc.exe - Close Registry Editor.
Step 5
Search and delete these folders
[ Learn More ]
[ back ]
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.
- %User Profile%\M-5050259496274253820495709285240
- %User Profile%\M-5050259496274820495709285240
- %User Profile%\M-5050246729046092458024675787
To delete malware/grayware/spyware folders:
For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:
- Right-click Start then click Search... or Find..., depending on the version of Windows you are running.
- In the File name* input box, type:
- %User Profile%\M-5050259496274253820495709285240
- %User Profile%\M-5050259496274820495709285240
- %User Profile%\M-5050246729046092458024675787
- In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer, then press Enter.
- Once located, select the folder then press SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the folder.
- Repeat steps 2 to 4 for the remaining folders:
- %User Profile%\M-5050259496274253820495709285240
- %User Profile%\M-5050259496274820495709285240
- %User Profile%\M-5050246729046092458024675787
*Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).
For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:
- Open a Windows Explorer window.
- For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
- For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, then click File Explorer.
- In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
- %User Profile%\M-5050259496274253820495709285240
- %User Profile%\M-5050259496274820495709285240
- %User Profile%\M-5050246729046092458024675787
- Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the folder.
- Repeat steps 2-3 for the remaining folders:
- %User Profile%\M-5050259496274253820495709285240
- %User Profile%\M-5050259496274820495709285240
- %User Profile%\M-5050246729046092458024675787
*Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.
Step 6
Search and delete this file
[ Learn More ]
[ back ]
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.
- %User Temp%\{random characters}.jpg
To manually delete a malware/grayware file from an affected system:
• For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:
- Right-click Start then click Search....
- In the File name* input box, type the following:
- %User Temp%\{random characters}.jpg
- In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer then press Enter.
- Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
*Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).
• For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:
- Open a Windows Explorer window.
- For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
- For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, then click File Explorer.
- In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
- %User Temp%\{random characters}.jpg
- Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
*Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.
Step 7
Search and delete AUTORUN.INF files created by WORM_PHORPIEX.CP that contain these strings
[ Learn More ]
[ back ]
[autorun]
icon=%SystemRoot%\system32\SHELL32.dll,4
action=Open folder to view files
shellexecute=Manager.bat
shellexecute=Manager.vbs
UseAutoPlay=1
To identify and delete AUTORUN.INF files created:
For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:
- Right-click the Start button then choose Search... or Find..., depending on the version of Windows you are running.
- In the File name* input box, type:
AUTORUN.INF - In the Look in: drop-down list, select a drive, then press Enter.
- Select the file, then open using Notepad.
- Check if the following lines are present in the file:
[autorun]
icon=%SystemRoot%\system32\SHELL32.dll,4
action=Open folder to view files
shellexecute=Manager.bat
shellexecute=Manager.vbs
UseAutoPlay=1
- If the lines are present, delete the file.
- Repeat steps 3 to 6 for the remaining AUTORUN.INF files in other remaining removable drives.
- Close Search Results.
*Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g.
Search for files or folders named or
All or part of the file name.).
For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2003, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:
- Open a Windows Explorer window.
- For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
- For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, then click File Explorer.
- In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
AUTORUN.INF - Select the file, then open using Notepad.
- Check if the following lines are present in the file:
[autorun]
icon=%SystemRoot%\system32\SHELL32.dll,4
action=Open folder to view files
shellexecute=Manager.bat
shellexecute=Manager.vbs
UseAutoPlay=1
- If the lines are present, delete the file.
- Repeat steps 3 to 5 for the remaining AUTORUN.INF files in other remaining removable drives.
- Close Search Results.
Step 8
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as WORM_PHORPIEX.CP. 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:
Delete all the created .LNK files in the removable drives.
Did this description help? Tell us how we did.