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TROJ_FAKEAV.ZAL

October 08, 2012
 Analysis by: Michael Cabel
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW


This Trojan connects to a website to send and receive information.

It connects to certain URLs. It may do this to remotely inform a malicious user of its installation. It may also do this to download possibly malicious files onto the computer, which puts the computer at a greater risk of infection by other threats.

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:

1,062,912 bytes

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

10 Oct 2010

Payload:

Connects to URLs/Ips, Displays fake alerts, Compromises system security

Arrival Details

This Trojan may be downloaded from the following remote sites:

  • http://{BLOCKED}u.in/mediafix70700en02.exe

Installation

This Trojan drops the following non-malicious files:

  • %Current Folder%\enemies-names.txt
  • %Current Folder%\local.ini

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
mediafix70700en02.exe = {Malware Path and File Name

Other System Modifications

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Antimalware Doctor Inc

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Antimalware Doctor

Backdoor Routine

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

  • http://{BLOCKED}y.in/inst.php?

Download Routine

This Trojan connects to the following malicious URLs:

  • httP://{BLOCKED}s.in/install.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}s.in/

Rogue Antivirus Routine

This Trojan 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

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

Remove malware files dropped/downloaded by TROJ_FAKEAV.ZAL

Step 3

Terminate a process file/s detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.ZAL

[ Learn More ]

*Note: If the detected file/s is/are not displayed in theWindows Task Manager, continue doing the next steps.

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
    • mediafix70700en02.exe = {Malware Path and File Name

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_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • Antimalware Doctor Inc
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • Antimalware Doctor

Step 6

Search and delete this file

[ 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.
  • %Current Folder%\enemies-names.txt
  • %Current Folder%\local.ini

    • Step 7

    Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.ZAL. 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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