TROJ_FAKEAV.HLJ

 Analysis by: Abraham Latimer Camba
 Modified by: Mark Joseph Manahan

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows 7

 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 connects to certain URLs. It may do this to remotely inform a malicious user of its installation. It may also do this to download possibly malicious files onto the computer, which puts the computer at a greater risk of infection by other threats.

It deletes the initially executed copy of itself.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

249,856 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

24 May 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 and executes them:

  • %System Root%\Documents And Settings\All Users\Application Data\{Random Name}.exe
  • %ProgramData%\{Random Name}.exe - if operating system is Windows 7

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

It drops the following files:

  • %Desktop%\Data_Recovery.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Data Recovery\Data Recovery.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Data Recovery\Uninstall Data Recovery.lnk
  • %System Root%\Documents And Settings\All Users\Application Data\{Random Name}
  • %System Root%\Documents And Settings\All Users\Application Data\-{Random Name}
  • %System Root%\Documents And Settings\All Users\Application Data\-{Random Name}r
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Data_Recovery.lnk
  • {drive letter}:\ProgramData\{Random Name} - dropped if system is running on Windows 7
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Data_Recovery.lnk - dropped if system is running on Windows 7
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Data Recovery\Data Recovery.lnk - dropped if system is running on Windows 7
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Data Recovery\Uninstall Data Recovery.lnk - dropped if system is running on Windows 7
  • %User Profile%\Desktop\Data_Recovery.lnk - dropped if system is running on Windows 7

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

It creates the following folders:

  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Data Recovery
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Data Recovery - created when malware is running on Windows 7

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

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
WarnonBadCertRecving = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Use FormSuggest = "Yes"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
ESENT\Process\{Random Name}\
DEBUG
Trace Level = ""

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Attachments
SaveZoneInformation = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
WarnonBadCertRecving = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
WarnOnZoneCrossing = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
CertificateRevocation = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
CurrentVersion\Policies\Associations
LowRiskFileTypes = ".zip;.rar;.nfo;.txt;.exe;.bat;.com;.cmd;.reg;.msi;.htm;.html;.gif;.bmp;.jpg;.avi;.mpg;.mpeg;.mov;.mp3;.m3u;.wav;.scr;"

It adds the following registry keys as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Associations

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Attachments

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
ESENT\Process\{Random Name}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
ESENT\Process\{Random Name}\
DEBUG

It modifies the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Download
CheckExeSignatures = "No"

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\WinTrust\
Trust Providers\Software Publishing
State = "23e00"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 23c00.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
Zones\3
1601 = "0"

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

Download Routine

This Trojan connects to the following malicious URLs:

  • http://{BLOCKED}adebima.com/support/s
  • http://{BLOCKED}randep.com/support/s
  • http://{BLOCKED}rtinfa.com/support/s
  • http://{BLOCKED}udexa.com/support/s
  • http://{BLOCKED}ding.com/support/s

Other Details

This Trojan deletes the initially executed copy of itself

NOTES:

This Trojan adds the following registry keys when it runs on a Windows 7 system:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\{Random Name}_RASAPI32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\{Random Name}_RASMANCS

It adds the following registry entries when installed on a Windows 7 system:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\{Random Name}_RASAPI32
EnableFileTracing = "0"
EnableConsoleTracing = "0"
FileTracingMask = "ffff"
ConsoleTracingMask = "ffff"
MaxFileSize= "100000"
File Directory = "25,77,69,6e,64,69,72,25,5c,74,72,61,63,69,6e,67,00,"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\{Random Name}_RASMANCS
EnableFileTracing = "0"
EnableConsoleTracing = "0"
FileTracingMask = "ffff"
ConsoleTracingMask = "ffff"
MaxFileSize= "100000"
File Directory = "25,77,69,6e,64,69,72,25,5c,74,72,61,63,69,6e,67,00,"

It modifies the following registry entries when it is installed on a Windows 7 system:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Download
CheckExeSignatures = "No"

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WinTrust\Trust Providers\Software Publishing
State = "23e00"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 23c00.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
CertificateRevocation = "0"

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

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.200

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

9.136.07

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

25 May 2012

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

9.137.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

25 May 2012

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.HLJ

Step 3

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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\
    • Associations
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
    • Attachments
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\ESENT\Process\
    • {Random Name}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\ESENT\Process\{Random Name}\
    • DEBUG

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • WarnOnZoneCrossing = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • WarnonBadCertRecving = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • CertificateRevocation = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
    • Use FormSuggest = "Yes"

Step 6

Restore this modified 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\Internet Explorer\Download
    • From: CheckExeSignatures = "No"
      To: CheckExeSignatures = "Yes"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3
    • From: 1601 = "0"
      To: 1601 = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WinTrust\Trust Providers\Software Publishing
    • From: State = "23e00"
      To: State = "23c00"

Step 7

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.
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Data Recovery

Step 8

Search and delete these files

[ 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.
  • %Desktop%\Data_Recovery.lnk
  • %System Root%\Documents And Settings\All Users\Application Data\{Random Name}
  • %System Root%\Documents And Settings\All Users\Application Data\-{Random Name}
  • %System Root%\Documents And Settings\All Users\Application Data\-{Random Name}r
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Data_Recovery.lnk

Step 9

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

NOTES:

For Windows 7 systems affected with this malware, the details for Steps 4 to 8 above differ. Use the following details for the steps above:

Details for Step 4:

  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\
    • {Random Name}_RASAPI32
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\
    • {Random Name}_RASMANCS

Details for Step 6:

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Download
    • From: CheckExeSignatures = "No"
      To: CheckExeSignatures = "Yes"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WinTrust\Trust Providers\Software Publishing
    • From: State = "23e00"
      To: State = "23c00"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • From: CertificateRevocation = "0"
      To: CertificateRevocation = "1"

Detail for Step 7:

  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Data Recovery

Details for Step 8:

  • {drive letter}:\ProgramData\{Random Name}
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Data_Recovery.lnk
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Data Recovery\Data Recovery.lnk
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Data Recovery\Uninstall Data Recovery.lnk
  • %User Profile%\Desktop\Data_Recovery.lnk


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