TROJ_FAKEAV.APJ


 ALIASES:

Rogue:Win32/PrivacyCenter, Rogue:Win32/PrivacyCenter, Rogue:Win32/PrivacyCenter, Rogue:Win32/Privacy (Microsoft); FakeAlert-DB (McAfee); AdwareRemover2007, SpywareGuard2008 (Symantec); ARC:NSIS, [pc.exe]:Trojan-FakeAV.Win32.PrivacyCenter.cm, PAK:[tap0801.sys]:PE_Patch, [sp.dll]:Trojan (Kaspersky); Privacy components (fs), XLG Security Center (fs), Trojan.Win32.Generic!BT (Sunbelt); Trojan.FakeAV.WV (FSecure)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • 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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

2,845,950 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

24 Nov 2012

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 creates the following folders:

  • %Program Files%\Privacy components
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\tools
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\tools\sc
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\tools\sp
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\sounds
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\images
  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\Wilbert
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Privacy components
  • %User Profile%\Privacy components\dbases
  • %User Profile%\Privacy components\temp
  • %User Profile%\Privacy components\keys
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Privacy components

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.. %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name} on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name} on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} 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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
agent.exe = "%Program Files%\Privacy components\agent.exe"

It registers itself as a BHO to ensure its automatic execution every time Internet Explorer is used by adding the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{D032570A-5F63-4812-A094-87D007C23012}

Other System Modifications

This Trojan deletes the following files:

  • %User Temp%\nsr1.tmp

(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.)

It adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Privacy components

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D032570A-5F63-4812-A094-87D007C23012}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D032570A-5F63-4812-A094-87D007C23012}\
InprocServer32

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\sp.TIEAdvBHO

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\sp.TIEAdvBHO\Clsid

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D032570A-5F63-4812-A094-87D007C23012}\
ProgID

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Privacy components
DisplayName = "Privacy components"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Privacy components
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\Privacy components\uninstall.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Privacy components
NoModify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Privacy components
NoRepair = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Shell = "%Program Files%\Privacy components\pc.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{D032570A-5F63-4812-A094-87D007C23012}\InprocServer32
ThreadingModel = "Apartment"

Dropping Routine

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\pc.exe
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\agent.exe
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\tools\sc\OemWin2k.inf
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\tools\sc\ca.crt
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\tools\sc\libeay32.dll
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\tools\sc\libssl32.dll
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\tools\sc\openvpn.exe
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\tools\sc\tap0801.sys
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\tools\sc\tapinstall.exe
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\tools\sp\sp.dll
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\sounds\1.mp3
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\sounds\3.mp3
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\guide.html
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\images\gimg1.jpg
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\images\gimg10.jpg
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\images\gimg2.jpg
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\images\gimg3.jpg
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\images\gimg4.jpg
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\images\gimg5.jpg
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\images\gimg6.jpg
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\images\gimg7.jpg
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\images\gimg8.jpg
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\images\gimg9.jpg
  • %User Profile%\dbases\cg.dat
  • %User Profile%\dbases\mw.dat
  • %User Profile%\dbases\rd.dat
  • %User Profile%\dbases\sc.dat
  • %User Profile%\dbases\sm.dat
  • %User Profile%\dbases\sp.dat
  • %User Profile%\temp\settings.ini
  • %User Profile%\keys\cg.key
  • %User Profile%\keys\rd.key
  • %User Profile%\keys\sc.key
  • %User Profile%\keys\sp.key
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\uninstall.exe
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Privacy components\Privacy components.lnk
  • %Desktop%\Privacy components.lnk

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name} on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name} on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} 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.. %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.)

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

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

Close all opened browser windows

Step 4

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\Uninstall
    • Privacy components
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {D032570A-5F63-4812-A094-87D007C23012}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D032570A-5F63-4812-A094-87D007C23012}
    • InprocServer32
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • sp.TIEAdvBHO
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\sp.TIEAdvBHO
    • Clsid
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D032570A-5F63-4812-A094-87D007C23012}
    • ProgID

Step 5

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
    • agent.exe = "%Program Files%\Privacy components\agent.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Privacy components
    • DisplayName = "Privacy components"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Privacy components
    • UninstallString = "%Program Files%\Privacy components\uninstall.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Privacy components
    • NoModify = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Privacy components
    • NoRepair = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
    • Shell = "%Program Files%\Privacy components\pc.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{D032570A-5F63-4812-A094-87D007C23012}\InprocServer32
    • ThreadingModel = "Apartment"

Step 6

Search and delete these files

[ Learn More ]
There may be some component files that are hidden. Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the "More advanced options" option to include all hidden files and folders in the search result.
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\pc.exe
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\agent.exe
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\tools\sc\OemWin2k.inf
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\tools\sc\ca.crt
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\tools\sc\libeay32.dll
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\tools\sc\libssl32.dll
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\tools\sc\openvpn.exe
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\tools\sc\tap0801.sys
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\tools\sc\tapinstall.exe
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\tools\sp\sp.dll
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\sounds\1.mp3
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\sounds\3.mp3
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\guide.html
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\images\gimg1.jpg
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\images\gimg10.jpg
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\images\gimg2.jpg
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\images\gimg3.jpg
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\images\gimg4.jpg
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\images\gimg5.jpg
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\images\gimg6.jpg
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\images\gimg7.jpg
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\images\gimg8.jpg
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\images\gimg9.jpg
  • %User Profile%\dbases\cg.dat
  • %User Profile%\dbases\mw.dat
  • %User Profile%\dbases\rd.dat
  • %User Profile%\dbases\sc.dat
  • %User Profile%\dbases\sm.dat
  • %User Profile%\dbases\sp.dat
  • %User Profile%\temp\settings.ini
  • %User Profile%\keys\cg.key
  • %User Profile%\keys\rd.key
  • %User Profile%\keys\sc.key
  • %User Profile%\keys\sp.key
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\uninstall.exe
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Privacy components\Privacy components.lnk
  • %Desktop%\Privacy components.lnk

Step 7

Search and delete these folders

[ Learn More ]
Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden folders in the search result.
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\tools
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\tools\sc
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\tools\sp
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\sounds
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq
  • %Program Files%\Privacy components\faq\images
  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\Wilbert
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Privacy components
  • %User Profile%\Privacy components\dbases
  • %User Profile%\Privacy components\temp
  • %User Profile%\Privacy components\keys
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Privacy components

Step 8

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.APJ. 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 9

Restore this file from backup only Microsoft-related files will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted files related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on you computer again.

  • %User Temp%\nsr1.tmp


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