WORM_PHORPIEX.VTT
Worm:Win32/Phorpiex.B (Microsoft); RDN/Sdbot.worm!bu (McAfee)
Windows
![](/vinfo/imgFiles/legend.jpg)
Threat Type: Worm
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted:
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
This Worm arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.
It modifies registry entries to disable the Windows Firewall settings. This action allows this malware to perform its routines without being deteted by the Windows Firewall.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
116,224 bytes
EXE
Yes
02 May 2017
Arrival Details
This Worm 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 Worm drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:
- %User Profile%\M-{random numbers}\winmgr.exe
(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.)
It creates the following folders:
- %User Profile%\M-{random numbers}
(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.)
Autostart Technique
This Worm adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Microsoft Windows Service = %User Profile%\M-{random numbers}\winmgr.exe
Other System Modifications
This Worm modifies the following registry entries to disable the Windows Firewall settings:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\
List\%User Profile%\M-{Random Numbers}
winmgr.exe = %User Profile%\M-{Random Numbers}\winmgr.exe:*:Enabled:Microsoft Windows Service
Propagation
This Worm drops the following copy of itself in all physical and removable drives:
- {Removable Drive}:\{Random Number}.exe
It creates shortcut files (.LNK) disguised as folders or files located on the affected drives pointing to the malware copy.
SOLUTION
9.850
13.378.04
03 May 2017
13.379.00
04 May 2017
Step 1
Before doing any scans, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.
Step 2
Note that not all files, folders, and registry keys and entries are installed on your computer during this malware's/spyware's/grayware's execution. This may be due to incomplete installation or other operating system conditions. If you do not find the same files/folders/registry information, please proceed to the next step.
Step 3
Restart in Safe Mode
Step 4
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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- Microsoft Windows Service = %User Profile%\M-{random numbers}\winmgr.exe
- Microsoft Windows Service = %User Profile%\M-{random numbers}\winmgr.exe
Step 5
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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\ShardAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\List\%User Profile%\M-{Random Numbers}
- winmgr.exe = %User Profile%\M-{Random Numbers}\winmgr.exe:*:Enabled:Microsoft Windows Service
- winmgr.exe = %User Profile%\M-{Random Numbers}\winmgr.exe:*:Enabled:Microsoft Windows Service
Step 6
Search and delete these folders
- %User Profile%\M-{random numbers}
Step 7
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as WORM_PHORPIEX.VTT. 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.
Step 8
- Open a command prompt.
- For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 users, click Start>Run. In the Search box, type CMD then press Enter.
- For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users, click Start, type CMD in the Search input field then press Enter.
- For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower-left corner of the screen, click Command Prompt.
- In the CMD console, type the following:
ATTRIB [+R | -R] [+A | -A ] [+S | -S] [+H | -H] [+I | -I] [drive:][path][file name] [/S [/D] [/L]]
Where:
+ Sets an attribute.
- Clears an attribute
R Read-only file attribute
A Archive file attribute
S System file attribute
H Hidden file attribute
I Not content indexed file attribute
[drive:][path][filename]
Specifies a file or files for attrib to process
/S Processes matching files in the current folder and all subfolders.
/D Processes folders
/L Work on the attributes of the Symbolic Link versus the target of the Symbolic Link
Example:
To unhide all files and folders (including subfolders) in drive D:
ATTRIB –H D:\* /S /D
- Repeat Step 3 for folders and files in other drives or folders.
NOTES:
Delete all the created {Folder Names}.LNK files in the removable drives.
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