TROJ_FAKEAV.BXA
Trojan-FakeAV.Win32.Agent.dgm [Kaspersky]; Rogue:Win32/Winwebsec [Microsoft];
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
Threat Type: Trojan
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: Yes
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
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 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
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.
Installation
This Trojan drops the following files:
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random}\{random} - encypted component
- %User Desktop%\Smart Fortress 2012.lnk - shortcut file
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Smart Fortress 2012\Smart Fortress 2012.lnk - shortcut file
(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.. %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows NT and C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)
It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random}\{random}.exe
(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)
It creates the following folders:
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random}
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Smart Fortress 2012
(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.. %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows NT and C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)
Other System Modifications
This Trojan adds the following registry keys:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\%s
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Smart Fortress 2012
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{first 5 characters of malware filename}
It adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{first 5 characters of malware filename}\shell\
open\command
@ = "%System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random}\{random}.exe" -s "%1" %*
It modifies the following registry entries:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe
@ = "{first 5 characters of malware filename}"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is exefile.)
Rogue Antivirus Routine
This Trojan 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
Step 1
For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.
Step 2
Identify and delete files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.BXA using either the Startup Disk or Recovery Console
Step 3
Restore this modified registry value
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_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe
- From: @ = "{first 5 characters of malware filename}"
To: @ = exefile
- From: @ = "{first 5 characters of malware filename}"
Step 4
Delete this registry key
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. Before you could do this, you must restart in Safe Mode. For instructions on how to do this, you may refer to this page If the preceding step requires you to restart in safe mode, you may proceed to edit the system registry.
- In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
- %s
- %s
- In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
- {first 5 characters of malware filename}
- {first 5 characters of malware filename}
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
- Smart Fortress 2012
- Smart Fortress 2012
Step 5
Search and delete this folder
Step 6
Search and delete this file
Step 7
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.BXA. 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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