TROJ_AGENT.KNO

October 09, 2012
 Analysis by: Sabrina Lei Sioting
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, 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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

642,560 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

11 Feb 2009

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.

Autostart Technique

This Trojan registers its dropped component as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup. It does this by creating the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\rpcnetp
ErrorControl = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\rpcnetp
ImagePath = "%SystemRoot%\System32\rpcnetp.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\rpcnetp
ObjectName = "LocalSystem"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\rpcnetp
Start = "2"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\rpcnetp
Type = "10"

It registers its dropped component as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup. It does this by creating the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\rpcnetp

Dropping Routine

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %System%\rpcnetp.exe

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\System32 on Windows NT and 2000, or C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP and Server 2003.)

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.200

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

5.833.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

11 Feb 2009

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
    • rpcnetp

Step 4

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%\rpcnetp.exe

Step 5

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TROJ_AGENT.KNO. 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:

Restarting in Safe Mode

For Windows Vista and Windows 7:

  1. Restart your computer.
  2. Press F8 after the Power-On Self Test (POST) routine is done. If the Advanced Boot Options menu does not appear, try restarting and then pressing F8 several times after the POST screen is displayed.
  3. On the Advanced Boot Options menu, use the arrow keys to select the Safe Mode option, and then press Enter.


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