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Trojan.XML.POWLOAD.MANHOAW

February 13, 2023
 Analysis by: Carlos Villegas Madrid
 ALIASES:

Trojan.Multi.GenAutorunTaskFile.a (KASPERSKY)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Downloaded from the Internet, 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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

5,062 bytes

File Type:

XML

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

02 Feb 2023

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs

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.

Other Details

This Trojan does the following:

  • It is a Windows Task Scheduler XML file having the following details:
    • Name: Update99
    • Trigger: {Specified time and date}
    • Action: Start a powershell script with the following capabilities:
      • Disables realtime monitoring of Windows Defender
      • Excludes the following directories on Windows Defender scan.
        • %Windows%\migration
        • %User Profile%\desktop
        • %Windows%\tasks
        • %Windows%
        • %Windows%\Logs
        • %Windows%\SysWOW64
        • %System%\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0
        • %ProgramData%
        • %System%\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe
      • Downloads and save files to a specific directory:
        • URL download Link:
          • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.83.140/2.exe
        • Saves to the following directories:
          • %Windows%\migration\2.exe
          • %Windows%\migration\2.exe
        • URL download Link:
          • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.83.140/migrate.sfx.exe
        • Saves to the following directories:
          • %Windows%\migration\migrate.sfx.exe
          • %Windows%\migration\migrate.sfx.exe

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

18.250.02

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

11 Feb 2023

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

18.251.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

12 Feb 2023

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 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

Deleting Scheduled Tasks

The following {Task Name} - {Task to be run} listed should be used in the steps identified below:

  • Task Name: Update99
  • Task to be run: {Powershell script}

For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:

  1. Open the Windows Scheduled Tasks. Click Start>Programs>Accessories>
    System Tools>Scheduled Tasks.
  2. Locate each {Task Name} values listed above in the Name column.
  3. Right-click on the said file(s) with the aforementioned value.
  4. Click on Properties. In the Run field, check for the listed {Task to be run}.
  5. If the strings match the list above, delete the task.

For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:

  1. Open the Windows Task Scheduler. To do this:
    • On Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008, click Start, type taskschd.msc in the Search input field, then press Enter.
    • On Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Run, type taskschd.msc, then press Enter.
  2. In the left panel, click Task Scheduler Library.
  3. In the upper-middle panel, locate each {Task Name} values listed above in the Name column.
  4. In the lower-middle panel, click the Actions tab. In the Details column, check for the {Task to be run} string.
  5. If the said string is found, delete the task.

Step 4

Search and delete these files

[ Learn More ]
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.
  • %Windows%\migration\2.exe
  • %Windows%\migration\2.exe
  • %Windows%\migration\migrate.sfx.exe
  • %Windows%\migration\migrate.sfx.exe

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Trojan.XML.POWLOAD.MANHOAW. 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 the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:


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