HKTL_JOHNRIPER

February 12, 2013
 Analysis by: Rika Joi Gregorio
 ALIASES:

Virtool.John.B(Bitdefender), Riskware/John(Fortinet), HackTool.Win32.John(Ikarus), HackTool.John application(Eset)

 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: Hacking Tool

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This hacking tool may be manually installed by a user.

It requires its main component to successfully perform its intended routine.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

89,600 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

07 Apr 2011

Arrival Details

This hacking tool may be manually installed by a user.

Installation

This hacking tool creates the following folders:

  • %System Root%\tmp

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
djohn = "%Windows%\system\bin\djrunner.exe"

Other Details

This hacking tool requires its main component to successfully perform its intended routine.

NOTES:

HKTL_JOHNRIPER is a password cracker which primary purpose is to detect weak Unix passwords.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

SSAPI PATTERN File:

8.888.88

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

07 Apr 2011

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • djohn = "%Windows%\system\bin\djrunner.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.
  • %System Root%\tmp

Step 5

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as HKTL_JOHNRIPER. 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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