Analysis by: Sabrina Lei Sioting
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Trojan modifies the Internet Explorer Zone Settings.

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: 409,600 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 20 Jun 2011

Installation

This Trojan drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random filename}.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:

  • %User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Windows XP Restore

(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name} on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name} on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

Web Browser Home Page and Search Page Modification

This Trojan modifies the Internet Explorer Zone Settings.

Dropping Routine

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random filename}
  • %User Profile%\Desktop\Windows XP Restore.lnk
  • %User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Windows XP Restore\Uninstall Windows XP Restore.lnk
  • %User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Windows XP Restore\Windows XP Restore.lnk

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name} on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name} on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

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

Minimum Scan Engine: 8.900
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 8.236.04
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 20 Jun 2011

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

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.YVK

Step 3

Terminate a malware/grayware process

[ Learn More ]

*Note: If the detected process is not displayed in theWindows Task Manager, continue doing the next steps.


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.
  • %User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Windows XP Restore

Step 5

Search and delete this file

[ Learn More ]
There may be some component 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.
  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random file name}
  • %User Profile%\Desktop\Windows XP Restore.lnk

Step 6

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.YVK. 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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