PE_VIRUX.K


 ALIASES:

Virus.Win32/Virut.BN (Microsoft); W32.Virut.CF (Symantec); Virus.Win32.Virut.ce (Kaspersky)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:

  • Threat Type: File infector

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW


This file infector 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:

Varies

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

22 Apr 2009

Arrival Details

This file infector arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

Other System Modifications

This file infector adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\DomainProfile\AuthorizedApplications\
List
\??\%System%\winlogon.exe = "\??\%System%\winlogon.exe:*:enabled:@shell32.dll,-1"

Backdoor Routine

This file infector connects to any of the following IRC server(s):

  • {BLOCKED}c.{BLOCKED}ef.pl

HOSTS File Modification

This file infector adds the following strings to the Windows HOSTS file:

  • {BLOCKED}7.0.0.1 jL.{BLOCKED}ura.pl

NOTES:

It may also connect to randomly generated domains for its C&C (command and control) server using a randomizing function, which is computed based on the system's current date and time. The generated domain is {6 random characters}.com.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.200

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

5.978.05

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

22 Apr 2009

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

5.979.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

22 Apr 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 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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\DomainProfile\AuthorizedApplications\List
    • \??\%System%\winlogon.exe = "\??\%System%\winlogon.exe:*:enabled:@shell32.dll,-1"

Step 4

Remove these strings added by the malware/grayware/spyware in the HOSTS file

[ Learn More ]
    • {BLOCKED}7.0.0.1 jL. {BLOCKED} ra.pl
"

Step 5

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


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