TROJ_HILOTI.SMEO

February 15, 2011
 ALIASES:

Hiloti.gen.i (McAfee); Mal/Hiloti-D (Sophos)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Trojan may be dropped by other malware.

It adds registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup.

It disables antivirus services. This is done to allow this malware to perform its routines, avoiding removal from the system.

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

84,480 bytes

File Type:

PE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

27 Oct 2010

Payload:

Disables antivirus software; Connects to websites

Arrival Details

This Trojan may be dropped by the following malware:

  • WORM_PROLACO.EK

Installation

This Trojan drops and executes the following files:

  • %Windows%\{random file name}.dll - also detected as TROJ_HILOTI.SMEO

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows or C:\WINNT.)

Its DLL component, is injected to the following process(es):

  • explorer.exe

Autostart Technique

This Trojan adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Ecagiwuhuqerofi = rundll32.exe "%Windows%\{random file name}.dll",Startup

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Qyoyakoboxagij
=

Process Termination

This Trojan disables antivirus services by terminating the following services if found on the affected system:

  • Windows Defender

Other Details

This Trojan attempts to access the following Web sites to download files, which are possibly malicious:

  • http://{date+data}.{BLOCKED}x.org/get2.php
  • http://{date+data}.{BLOCKED}gr.com/get2.php

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

8.900

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

7.573.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

27 Oct 2010

Step 1

For Windows ME and XP users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.

Step 2

Remove malware files dropped/downloaded by TROJ_HILOTI.SMEO

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • Ecagiwuhuqerofi = rundll32.exe  %Windows%\{random file name}.dll,Startup

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
    • Qyoyakoboxagij

Step 6

Search and delete the file detected as TROJ_HILOTI.SMEO

[ Learn More ]
Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden files in the search result.

Step 7

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