TROJ_FAKEAV.SMDJ

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.

As of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

It deletes the initially executed copy of itself.

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.

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 files:

• %System%\exefile.exe - also detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.SMDJ
• %System%\us?rinit.exe - also detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.SMDJ
• %System%\ms{6 random characters}.dll - encrypted file that contains HTML codes for its GUI (Graphical User Interface)
• %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\.wtav - contains the license of the rogue antivirus

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.. %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

It adds the following processes:

• svchost.exe

Autostart Technique

This Trojan registers itself as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup by adding the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\userinit
Start = 2

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\userinit
Type = 10

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\userinit
ErrorControl = 0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\userinit
ObjectName = LocalSystem

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\userinit
DisplayName = Antivirus 2010

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\userinit
Description = AV software

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\userinit
ImagePath = \.\globalroot\systemroot\system32\us?rinit.exe

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{random}
DisplayName = Antivirus 2010

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{random}
URLInfoAbout = http://www.webtopbilling.com/

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{871ED5A2-7AE2-E19B-4F38-5B8C6A4FCE0C}
UninstallString = \.\globalroot\systemroot\system32\us?rinit.exe /uninstall

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{871ED5A2-7AE2-E19B-4F38-5B8C6A4FCE0C}
DisplayIcon = \.\globalroot\systemroot\system32\us?rinit.exe

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

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{random CLSID}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{random}

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\
open\command
(default) = "exefile" /shell <%1> %*

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\wscsvc
Start = 4

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

HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\Shell Folders
Cookies = %System%\config\systemprofile\Cookies

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %System Root%\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Cookies.)

HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\Shell Folders
Local AppData = %System%\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Application Data

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %Application Data%.)

HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\Shell Folders
Cache = %System%\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %System%\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files.)

HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\Shell Folders
History = %System%\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\History

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %System Root%\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Local Settings\History.)

Download Routine

This Trojan connects to the following URL(s) to download its component file(s):

• http://{BLOCKED}199.168/ask?t={value}&u={value}&a={value}&m={value}&h={value}

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

• %System%\drivers\vbma{4 random characters}.sys - detected as RTKT_SIREFEF.AD

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)

As of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

Other Details

This Trojan deletes the initially executed copy of itself

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.

NOTES:

Below are screenshots of its GUI (Graphical User Interface):

It displays the following warning message whenever an EXE file is executed:

It may install itself as a rogue antivirus using any of the following names:

• Antivirus 2010
• Internet Security 2011
• Internet Security 9000

Once the user decides to purchase the rogue product it may connect to any of the following URLs to retrieve user information:

• http://{BLOCKED}230.15/test/activator.html?product=test
• https://{BLOCKED}.2010billing.com/purchase/get.php?i=antvir
• https://{BLOCKED}.exbilling.com/get/product.php?id=intsec

It may also access any of the following URLs when the user chooses to activate the rogue product:

• https://{BLOCKED}.2010billing.com/order/activate.php?orderid={random}
• https://{BLOCKED}.exbilling.com/get/activate.php?orderid={random}

In its body are the following hard-coded detections for its fake scanning results:

• advapi32.dll - name: "Worm.Win32.Kido", threat: 'virus'
• dialer.exe - name: "Backdoor.Dialer.W32", threat: 'trojan'
• explorer.exe - name: "Trojan.Sality.ag", threat: 'virus'
• explorer.exe - name: "Trojan/Agent.NFK", threat: 'trojan'
• iexplore.exe - name: "AdWare.Redirect.xt", threat: 'adware'
• ipsec.sys - name: "TR.Backdoor.Win32.DS", threat: 'adware'
• msoe.dll - name: "Email.Win32.Merond", threat: 'virus'
• ntdll.dll - name: "Backdoor.Win32.SdBot", threat: 'trojan'
• ntdll.dll - name: "Trojan.Rootkit.drv", threat: 'trojan'
• svchost.exe - name: "Trojan-Droper.ZX", threat: 'trojan'
• tdi.sys - name: "TR.Downloader.JS.x", threat: 'trojan'
• url.dll - name: "Win32.FraudLoad.ezj ", threat: 'trojan'
• user32.dll - name: "Trojan.Genric", threat: 'trojan'
• virus.sys - name: "Trojan.Nepster.a", threat: 'malware'
• winlogon.exe - name: "TR.Win32.NF42", threat: 'trojan'

It monitors the following URLs:

• .*.bankofamerica.com
• .*.contacts.msn.com
• .*.date.com
• .*.gmail.com
• .*.mail.yahoo.com
• .*.match.com
• .*.msg.yahoo.com
• .*.oscar.aol.com
• .*.paypal.com
• .*.twitter.com
• .*mail.aol.com
• login.icq.com
• login.live.com
• mail.google.com
• secure.friendfinder.com
• signin.ebay.com
• www.facebook.com

When the user accesses the said URLs, it will display the following warning message:

It blocks access to the following URLs:

• .*.search.com
• .*search.yahoo.*
• bing.*
• google.*
• live.*
• www.bing.*
• www.google.*
• www.live.*