TROJ_FAKEREAN.LD

July 11, 2013
 Analysis by: Alvin Bacani
 ALIASES:

Rogue:Win32/FakeRean (Microsoft); RDN/Generic FakeAlert!dz (McAfee)

 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:

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.

It displays fake alerts. It installs a fake antivirus/antispyware software. It displays fake alerts that warn users of infection. It also displays fake scanning results of the affected system. It then asks for users to purchase it once scanning is completed. If users decide to purchase the rogue product, users are directed to a certain website asking for sensitive information, such as credit card numbers.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

855,040 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

05 Jul 2013

Payload:

Displays windows

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.

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
Internet Security = {malware path & filename}

Other System Modifications

This Trojan also creates the following registry entry(ies) as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{random key}
FRun = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{random key}
O`ld = {random values}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{random key}
Q'ui = {random values}

Other Details

This Trojan connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}echeck24.com/activate/activate.php?id=%uid%&mail=%email%&order_id=%order%
  • http://{BLOCKED}ersecurityauto.com/support.html
  • http://{BLOCKED}ownloadgroup.com/405.php?id=%advid%
  • http://{BLOCKED}ersecurityauto.com/buynow.php?bid=%advid%
  • http://{BLOCKED}tyhelpsupport.com/open.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}reinternational.com/info.php

Rogue Antivirus Routine

This Trojan displays fake alerts.

It installs a fake antivirus/antispyware software.

It displays fake alerts that warn users of infection. It also displays fake scanning results of the affected system. It then asks for users to purchase it once scanning is completed. If users decide to purchase the rogue product, users are directed to a certain website asking for sensitive information, such as credit card numbers.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

10.142.06

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

08 Jul 2013

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

10.143.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

08 Jul 2013

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • Internet Security = "{malware path and file name}"

Step 4

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
    • {random key}

Step 5

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