TROJ_FAKESYSD.LN
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
![](/vinfo/imgFiles/legend.jpg)
Threat Type: Trojan
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: Yes
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 adds certain registry entries to disable the Task Manager. This action prevents users from terminating the malware process, which can usually be done via the Task Manager.
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.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
467,456 bytes
EXE
Yes
19 Oct 2011
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:
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random}.exe
(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%\System Restore.lnk
- %Start Menu%\Programs\System Restore\System Restore.lnk
- %Start Menu%\Programs\System Restore\Uninstall System Restore.lnk
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random}
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random}.exe
(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.)
It creates the following folders:
- %User Temp%\smtmp
- %User Temp%\smtmp\1
- %User Temp%\smtmp\2
- %User Temp%\smtmp\3
- %User Temp%\smtmp\4
- %Start Menu%\Programs\System Restore
(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.. %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.)
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
{random file name}.exe = "%System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random}.exe"
Other System Modifications
This Trojan adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
NoDesktop = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
ActiveDesktop
NoChangingWallPaper = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Attachments
SaveZoneInformation = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
EnableAutoTray = "0"
It adds the following registry entries to disable the Task Manager:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
DisableTaskMgr = "1"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
system
DisableTaskMgr = "1"
It modifies the following registry entries to hide files with Hidden attributes:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
ShowSuperHidden = "0"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)
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:
This malware moves specific files in the following directories:
Operating System major version is 5 (XP, 2000, 2003):
From: %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\
To: %User Temp%\smtmp\1\
From: %User Profile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\
To: %User Temp%\smtmp\2\
From: %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\
To: %User Temp%\smtmp\4\
Operating System major version is 6 (Vista, 2008, 7)
From: %System Root%\ProgramData\Start Menu\
To: %User Temp%\smtmp\1\
From: %User Profile%\Application Data\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\
To: %User Temp%\smtmp\2\
From: %User Profile%\Application Data\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar\
To: %User Temp%\smtmp\3\
From: %System Root%\ProgramData\Desktop\
To: %User Temp%\smtmp\4\
It also modifies the attributes of files found on the affected system into Hidden, to trick the users that the files have been deleted.
SOLUTION
9.200
8.508.05
19 Oct 2011
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
Step 3
Delete this registry value
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
- {random file name}.exe = "%System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random}.exe"
- {random file name}.exe = "%System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random}.exe"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
- NoDesktop = "1"
- NoDesktop = "1"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop
- NoChangingWallPaper = "1"
- NoChangingWallPaper = "1"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments
- SaveZoneInformation = "1"
- SaveZoneInformation = "1"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
- EnableAutoTray = "0"
- EnableAutoTray = "0"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
- DisableTaskMgr = "1"
- DisableTaskMgr = "1"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system
- DisableTaskMgr = "1"
- DisableTaskMgr = "1"
Step 4
Restore this modified registry value
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\Explorer\Advanced
- From: ShowSuperHidden = "0"
To: ShowSuperHidden = "1"
- From: ShowSuperHidden = "0"
Step 5
Search and delete this folder
Step 6
Search and delete these files
- %Desktop%\System Restore.lnk
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random}
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random}.exe
Step 7
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TROJ_FAKESYSD.LN. 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:
To unhide the files hidden by this malware, perform the following steps:
- Open a Command Prompt.
For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 users:
Click Start>Run, type CMD in the text box provided, and then press Enter.
For Windows Vista and Windows 7 users:
Click the Start button, type CMD in the Search input field then press Enter. - For every drive in the computer, type the following command:
attrib -h {drive letter}:\*.* /s /d - Close Command Prompt. Type exit then press Enter.
To Restore Files to its Original Location:
- Open %User Temp%\smtmp and copy the files as follows:
If operating system major version is 5 (XP, 2000, 2003):
From: %User Temp%\smtmp\1\
To: %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\
From: %User Temp%\smtmp\2\
To: %User Profile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick
Launch\ From: %User Temp%\smtmp\4\
To: %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\
If operating system major version is 6 (Vista, 2008, 7)
From: %User Temp%\smtmp\1\
To: %System Root%\ProgramData\Start Menu\
From: %User Temp%\smtmp\2\
To: %User Profile%\Application Data\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\
From: %User Temp%\smtmp\3\
To: %User Profile%\Application Data\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar\
From: %User Temp%\smtmp\4\
To: %System Root%\ProgramData\Desktop\ - After moving the files, delete the folder %User Temp%\smtmp.
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