TROJ_STARTPA.TE

 Analysis by: Kathleen Notario

 PLATFORM:

Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, 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 arrives as a file that exports the functions of other malware/grayware. It may be dropped by other malware.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

203,815 bytes

File Type:

DLL

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

05 Aug 2010

Payload:

Drops files

Arrival Details

This Trojan arrives as a file that exports the functions of other malware/grayware.

It may be dropped by other malware.

Installation

This Trojan adds the following folders:

  • %Program Files%\Win32Games

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.)

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{e17d4fc0-5564-11d1-83f2-00a0c90dc849}\
Shell\ÊôÐÔ(&D)
=

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\internet explorer
=

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel
=

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{e17d4fc0-5564-11d1-83f2-00a0c90dc849}
{305ca226-d286-468e-b848-2b2e8e697b74} 2 = 0

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{e17d4fc0-5564-11d1-83f2-00a0c90dc849}\
Shell\Open\Command
(default) = %Program Files%\Internet Explorer\SIGNUP\iexplore.exe %1 h%t%t%p%:%/%/%w%w%w.6dudu.%c%o%m%/

Dropping Routine

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %System%\helpme.vbs - detected as VBS_STARTPA.ZZD
  • %System%\helpme.ink
  • %Desktop%\Intenet Exploer.ink
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Launch Internet Explorer Browser.ink
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Intenet Exploer.ink
  • %Program Files%\Win32Games\Internet.vbs
  • %Program Files%\Internet Explorer\SIGNUP\iexplore.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.. %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.. %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.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.)

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

8.900

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

7.364.07

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

05 Aug 2010

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_STARTPA.TE

Step 3

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 4

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_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{e17d4fc0-5564-11d1-83f2-00a0c90dc849}
    • {305ca226-d286-468e-b848-2b2e8e697b74} 2=0
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{e17d4fc0-5564-11d1-83f2-00a0c90dc849}\Shell\Open\Command
    • (default)=%Program Files%\Internet Explorer\SIGNUP\iexplore.exe %1 h%t%t%p%:%/%/%w%w%w.6dudu.%c%o%m%/

Step 5

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_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{e17d4fc0-5564-11d1-83f2-00a0c90dc849}\Shell
    • ÊôÐÔ(&D)
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • internet explorer
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons
    • NewStartPanel

Step 6

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. %System%\helpme.vbs
%System%\helpme.ink
%Desktop%\Intenet Exploer.ink
%User Profile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Launch Internet Explorer Browser.ink
%User Profile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Intenet Exploer.ink
%Program Files%\Internet Explorer\SIGNUP\iexplore.exe


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.