TROJ_AGMH.A


 ALIASES:

Worm:Win32/Heckyebo.B (Microsoft); Generic Malware.mt (McAfee); W32.SillyFDC (Symantec); PAK:UPX, ARC:Embedded, [script.au3]:Worm.Win32.AutoIt.sq, [script.au3]:Worm.Win32.AutoIt.sq (Kaspersky); Trojan.Win32.AutoIt.gen.1 (v) (Sunbelt); Win32.Worm.Sohanat.BU (FSecure)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • 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 disables Task Manager, Registry Editor, and Folder Options.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

284,773 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

24 Nov 2012

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 copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %User Temp%\svchost.com

It creates the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\$RECYCLE.BIN
  • %User Temp%\$RECYCLE.BIN\{5F229C11-5039-40E4-8537-6950BB1C9ECC}
  • %User Profile%\Templates\cache
  • %User Profile%\cache\$RECYCLE.BIN
  • %User Profile%\$RECYCLE.BIN\{5F229C11-5039-40E4-8537-6950BB1C9ECC}
  • %System Root%\$RECYCLE.BIN
  • %System Root%\$RECYCLE.BIN\{5F229C11-5039-40E4-8537-6950BB1C9ECC}

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.. %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

Autostart Technique

This Trojan adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HotKey = "%User Profile%\cache\SFCsrvc.pif"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HotKey = "%User Profile%\cache\SFCsrvc.pif"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
User Agent = "%System%\fdisk.com"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
User Agent = "%User Temp%\svchost.com"

It modifies the following registry entries to ensure it automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Shell = "explorer.exe %System%\fdisk.com"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is Explorer.exe.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Userinit = "%System%\userinit.exe,%System%\fdisk.com"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %Windows%\system32\userinit.exe,.)

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
System

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows\System

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
regedit.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
mmc.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
msconfig.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
USBGUARD.EXE

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
VPTRAY.EXE

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
AVGNT.EXE

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
AVP.EXE

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
pctsgui.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
pctstray.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
ashdisp.exe

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Command Processor
AutoRun = "%Windows%\Help\cliconf.chm"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows\System
DisableGPO = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
regedit.exe
debugger = "notepad"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
mmc.exe
debugger = "notepad"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
msconfig.exe
debugger = "notepad"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
USBGUARD.EXE
debugger = "notepad"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
VPTRAY.EXE
debugger = "notepad"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
AVGNT.EXE
debugger = "notepad"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
AVP.EXE
debugger = "notepad"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
pctsgui.exe
debugger = "notepad"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
pctstray.exe
debugger = "notepad"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
ashdisp.exe
debugger = "notepad"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
run = "%User Temp%\svchost.com"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
ShowSuperHidden = "0"

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
load = "%User Temp%\svchost.com"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
HideFileExt = "2"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Hidden = "2"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 2.)

It creates the following registry entry(ies) to disable Task Manager, Registry Tools and Folder Options:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
NofolderOptions = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
DisableTaskMgr = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
DisableRegistryTools = "1"

Dropping Routine

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %User Profile%\cache\SFCsrvc.pif
  • %System%\fdisk.com
  • %Common Startup%\sndvol32.exe
  • %User Startup%\sndvol32.exe
  • %Windows%\Help\cliconf.chm
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\System\cftmon.exe
  • %System Root%\Thumbs.db

Other Details

This Trojan connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://https.{BLOCKED}h.cx/cartman.php

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

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

Identify and delete files detected as TROJ_AGMH.A using either the Startup Disk or Recovery Console

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

Enable Registry Editor, Task Manager, and Folder options

[ Learn More ]
By doing this step, you also enable other applications/programs disabled by this malware/grayware/spyware.

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\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies
    • System
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
    • System
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
    • regedit.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
    • mmc.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
    • msconfig.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
    • USBGUARD.EXE
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
    • VPTRAY.EXE
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
    • AVGNT.EXE
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
    • AVP.EXE
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
    • pctsgui.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
    • pctstray.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
    • ashdisp.exe

Step 5

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\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • HotKey = "%User Profile%\cache\SFCsrvc.pif"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • HotKey = "%User Profile%\cache\SFCsrvc.pif"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • User Agent = "%System%\fdisk.com"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • User Agent = "%User Temp%\svchost.com"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor
    • AutoRun = "%Windows%\Help\cliconf.chm"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System
    • DisableGPO = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\regedit.exe
    • debugger = "notepad"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\mmc.exe
    • debugger = "notepad"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msconfig.exe
    • debugger = "notepad"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\USBGUARD.EXE
    • debugger = "notepad"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\VPTRAY.EXE
    • debugger = "notepad"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\AVGNT.EXE
    • debugger = "notepad"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\AVP.EXE
    • debugger = "notepad"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\pctsgui.exe
    • debugger = "notepad"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\pctstray.exe
    • debugger = "notepad"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\ashdisp.exe
    • debugger = "notepad"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
    • run = "%User Temp%\svchost.com"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
    • ShowSuperHidden = "0"

Step 6

Restore these modified registry values

[ Learn More ]

Important:Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this only if you know how to or you can seek your system administrator's help. You may also check out this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
    • load = "%User Temp%\svchost.com"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
    • From: HideFileExt = "2"
      To: HideFileExt = ""1""
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
    • From: Hidden = "2"
      To: Hidden = ""2""
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
    • From: Shell = "explorer.exe %System%\fdisk.com"
      To: Shell = ""Explorer.exe""
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
    • From: Userinit = "%System%\userinit.exe,%System%\fdisk.com"
      To: Userinit = ""%Windows%\system32\userinit.exe,""

Step 7

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.
  • %User Profile%\cache\SFCsrvc.pif
  • %System%\fdisk.com
  • %Common Startup%\sndvol32.exe
  • %User Startup%\sndvol32.exe
  • %Windows%\Help\cliconf.chm
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\System\cftmon.exe
  • %System Root%\Thumbs.db

Step 8

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.
  • %User Temp%\$RECYCLE.BIN
  • %User Temp%\$RECYCLE.BIN\{5F229C11-5039-40E4-8537-6950BB1C9ECC}
  • %User Profile%\Templates\cache
  • %User Profile%\cache\$RECYCLE.BIN
  • %User Profile%\$RECYCLE.BIN\{5F229C11-5039-40E4-8537-6950BB1C9ECC}
  • %System Root%\$RECYCLE.BIN
  • %System Root%\$RECYCLE.BIN\{5F229C11-5039-40E4-8537-6950BB1C9ECC}

Step 9

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_AGMH.A. 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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