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TROJ_FAKEAV.SMTQ

August 06, 2011
 Analysis by: Cris Pantanilla
 ALIASES:

Hoax.Win32.SMWnd.fnn [Kaspersky], Rogue:Win32/FakePSP [Microsoft]

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

It connects to certain websites to send and receive information. 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

File Size:

898,560 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

15 Jan 2010

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:

  • %Application Data%\{Random}.pspro

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data 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
{random}.pspro = "%Application Data%\{random}.pspro --run"

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry keys as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.pspro

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\PSP

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe
(Default) = "PSP"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is exefile.)

Other Details

This Trojan connects to the following website to send and receive information:

  • http://{BLOCKED}4.{BLOCKED}2.234.26/api/stats/debug/1.0.0.326/

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.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

8.900

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

6.772.05

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

15 Jan 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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

Restore a modified registry value/s using this VBScirpt

To restore the modified registry value/s:

  1. Open Notepad.
    » For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 users, click Start>Run. In the Open input box, type notepad then press Enter.
    » For Windows Vista and Windows 7 users, click Start, type notepad in the Search input field then press Enter.
  2. Copy and paste the following script:
  3. Save this file as C:\RESTORE.VBS.
  4. Run C:\RESTORE.VBS.
    » For Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003 users, click Start>Run. In the Open input box, type C:\RESTORE.VBS then press Enter.
    » For Windows Vista and Windows 7 users, click Start, type C:\RESTORE.VBS in the Search input field then press Enter.

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
    • {random}.pspro = %Application Data%\{random}.pspro --run

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. Before you could do this, you must restart in Safe Mode. For instructions on how to do this, you may refer to this page If the preceding step requires you to restart in safe mode, you may proceed to edit the system registry.

  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • .pspro
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • PSP

Step 6

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