PE_MKAR.E

July 08, 2013
 ALIASES:

Virus:Win32/Mkar.E (Microsoft); W32/Mkar !! (McAfee); W32.Marak (Symantec); Virus.Win32.Mkar.e (Kaspersky); Virus.Win32.Mkar.e (v) (Sunbelt); Win32.Mkar.E (FSecure)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: File infector

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This file infector 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:

94,744 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

11 Feb 2012

Arrival Details

This file infector 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 file infector creates the following folders:

  • %System Root%\001
  • \best\winnet\iodata

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

Other System Modifications

This file infector deletes the following files:

  • %System Root%\vcredist_x86.exe
  • \best\winnet\iodata\15416I.file

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

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
DrWatson
ID = "15416"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
DrWatson
OM = "252631559"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
DrWatson
EWP = "__ehvw_zlqqhw_lrgdwd"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
DrWatson
FI = "F=_yfuhglvwb{;91h{h"

Dropping Routine

This file infector drops the following files:

  • %System Root%\001\tst
  • %System Root%\001\svchost.exe
  • %System Root%\tmp.exe
  • \best\winnet\iodata\15416O.file

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

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.200

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

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\DrWatson
    • ID = "15416"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DrWatson
    • OM = "252631559"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DrWatson
    • EWP = "__ehvw_zlqqhw_lrgdwd"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DrWatson
    • FI = "F=_yfuhglvwb{;91h{h"

Step 3

Search and delete these components

[ Learn More ]
There may be some components 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.
  • %System Root%\001\tst
  • %System Root%\001\svchost.exe
  • %System Root%\tmp.exe
  • \best\winnet\iodata\15416O.file

Step 4

Search and delete these folders

[ 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%\001
  • \best\winnet\iodata

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to clean files detected as PE_MKAR.E. 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.

Step 6

Restore this file from backup only Microsoft-related files will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted files related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on you computer again.

  • %System Root%\vcredist_x86.exe
  • \best\winnet\iodata\15416I.file


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