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 files:
- %System%\28463\svchost.001
- %System%\setup.ini - copy of autorun.inf
- %Windows%\Tasks\At1.job
(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.. %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)
It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:
- %Windows%\regsvr.exe
- %System%\regsvr.exe
- %System%\svchost.exe
(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)
It uses Windows Task Scheduler to create a scheduled task that executes the dropped copy.
It creates the following folders:
(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)
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
Msn Messenger = "%System%\regsvr.exe"
It modifies the following registry entries to ensure it automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Shell = "Explorer.exe regsvr.exe"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is Explorer.exe.)
The scheduled task executes the malware every:
Other System Modifications
This worm adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
WorkgroupCrawler\Shares
shared = "\New Folder .exe"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
DisableTaskMgr = "0"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
DisableRegistryTools = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
NofolderOptions = "0"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
GlobalUserOffline = "0"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\Schedule
AtTaskMaxHours = "0"
Propagation
This worm drops the following copy(ies) of itself in all removable drives:
- {Drive letter}:\regsvr.exe
- {Drive letter}:\New Folder .exe
- {Drive letter}:\{folder name}\{folder name} .exe - if folder exists
It drops an AUTORUN.INF file to automatically execute the copies it drops when a user accesses the drives of an affected system.
The said .INF file contains the following strings:
[Autorun]
Open=regsvr.exe
Shellexecute=regsvr.exe
Shell\Open\command=regsvr.exe
Shell=Open
NOTES:
This worm searches for folders in all removable drives then drops copies of itself inside the folder as {folder name} .exe.
It also connects to the following URL to download files:
- www.{BLOCKED}o.com/setting.doc
However, the said page do not exist.
It save the downloaded file as:
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
Identify and delete files detected as WORM_NUQEL.VSQ using either the Startup Disk or Recovery Console
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To identify and delete the malware/grayware file:
• On Windows XP and Server 2003 systems:
- Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and then take note of the names of the malware/grayware files detected.
- Click Start>Run. In the Open input box, type secpol.msc and press Enter.
- In the left panel, double-click Local Policies>Security Options.
- In the right panel, double-click Recovery Console: Allow floppy copy and access to all drives and folders.
- Select Enabled and click OK.
- Insert the Windows Installation CD into the CD drive, then restart your computer.
- When prompted, press any key to boot from the CD.
- On the main menu, type r to go to the Recovery Console.
- Type the number that corresponds to the drive and directory that contains Windows (usually C:\WINDOWS) and press Enter.
- Type the Administrator password and press Enter.
- In the input box, type the following then press Enter:
SET AllowAllPaths = TRUE
del "{malware/grayware path and file name}" - Type exit and press Enter to restart the system normally.
• On Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 systems:
- Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and then take note of the names of the malware/grayware files detected.
- Insert your Windows Installation DVD in the DVD drive, then Press the restart button.
- When prompted, press any key to boot from the CD.
- Depending on your Windows Installation DVD, you might be required to select the installation language. Then on the Install Windows window, choose your language, locale, and keyboard layout or input method. Click Next, then click Repair your computer.
- Select Use recovery tools that can help fix problems starting Windows. Select your installation of Windows. Click Next.
- If the Startup Repair window appears, click Cancel, Yes, then Finish.
- In the System Recovery Options window, click Command Prompt.
- In the Command Prompt window, type the following then press Enter:
BootRec.exe /fixmbr
del "{malware/grayware path and file name}" - Type exit and press Enter to close the Command Prompt window.
- Click Restart to restart the system normally.
• On Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 systems:
- Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and then take note of the names of the malware/grayware files detected.
- Insert your Windows Installation DVD in the DVD drive, then restart your computer.
- When prompted, press any key to boot from the DVD.
- Depending on your Windows Installation DVD, you might be required to select the keyboard layout. Then on the Windows Setup window, choose your language, locale, and input method. Click Next, then click Repair your computer.
- Click Troubleshoot>Advanced Options>Command Prompt.
- In the Command Prompt window, type the following then press Enter:
BootRec.exe /fixmbr
del "{malware/grayware path and file name}" - Type exit and press Enter to close the Command Prompt window.
- Click Continue to restart the system normally.
Step 4
Delete this registry value
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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
- Msn Messenger = "%System%\regsvr.exe"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\WorkgroupCrawler\Shares
- shared = "\New Folder .exe"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
- DisableRegistryTools = "1"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Schedule
To delete the registry value this malware created:
- Open Registry Editor. To do this:
» For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 users, click Start>Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter.
» For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users, click the Start button, type regedit 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 Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter. - In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Run - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
Msn Messenger = "%System%\regsvr.exe" - In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Explorer>WorkgroupCrawler>Shares - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
shared = "\New Folder .exe" - In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Policies>System - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
DisableTaskMgr = "0" - Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
DisableRegistryTools = "1" - In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Policies>Explorer - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
NofolderOptions = "0" - In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Internet Settings - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
GlobalUserOffline = "0" - In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SYSTEM>CurrentControlSet>Services>Schedule - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
AtTaskMaxHours = "0" - Close Registry Editor.
Step 5
Restore this modified registry value
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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 NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
- From: Shell = "Explorer.exe regsvr.exe"
To: Shell = "Explorer.exe"
To restore the registry value this malware/grayware modified:
- Open Registry Editor.
» For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 users, click Start>Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter.
» For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users, click the Start button, type regedit 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 Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter. - In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows NT>CurrentVersion>Winlogon - In the right panel, locate the registry value:
Shell = "Explorer.exe regsvr.exe" - Right-click on the value name and choose Modify. Change the value data of this entry to:
Shell = "Explorer.exe" - Close Registry Editor.
Step 6
Search and delete these folders
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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.
To delete malware/grayware/spyware folders:
For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:
- Right-click Start then click Search... or Find..., depending on the version of Windows you are running.
- In the File name* input box, type:
- In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer, then press Enter.
- Once located, select the folder then press SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the folder.
- Repeat steps 2 to 4 for the remaining folders: *Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).
For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:
- Open a Windows Explorer window.
- For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
- For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, then click File Explorer.
- In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
- Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the folder.
- Repeat steps 2-3 for the remaining folders: *Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.
Step 7
Search and delete these files
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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.
- %System%\setting.ini
- %System%\setup.ini
- %Windows%\Tasks\At1.job
To delete malware/grayware component files:
- Search for the following files:
- %System%\setting.ini
- %System%\setup.ini
- %Windows%\Tasks\At1.job
Note: To do a search for the following files, right-click Start then click Search... or Find..., depending on the version of Windows you are running. For each file to be deleted, type its file name in the Named input box. In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer, then press Enter. - Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the file.
- Repeat the said steps for all files listed.
Step 8
Search and delete AUTORUN.INF files created by WORM_NUQEL.VSQ that contain these strings
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[Autorun]
Open=regsvr.exe
Shellexecute=regsvr.exe
Shell\Open\command=regsvr.exe
Shell=Open
To identify and delete AUTORUN.INF files created:
For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:
- Right-click the Start button then choose Search... or Find..., depending on the version of Windows you are running.
- In the File name* input box, type:
AUTORUN.INF - In the Look in: drop-down list, select a drive, then press Enter.
- Select the file, then open using Notepad.
- Check if the following lines are present in the file:
[Autorun]
Open=regsvr.exe
Shellexecute=regsvr.exe
Shell\Open\command=regsvr.exe
Shell=Open
- If the lines are present, delete the file.
- Repeat steps 3 to 6 for the remaining AUTORUN.INF files in other remaining removable drives.
- Close Search Results.
*Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g.
Search for files or folders named or
All or part of the file name.).
For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2003, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:
- Open a Windows Explorer window.
- For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
- For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, then click File Explorer.
- In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
AUTORUN.INF - Select the file, then open using Notepad.
- Check if the following lines are present in the file:
[Autorun]
Open=regsvr.exe
Shellexecute=regsvr.exe
Shell\Open\command=regsvr.exe
Shell=Open
- If the lines are present, delete the file.
- Repeat steps 3 to 5 for the remaining AUTORUN.INF files in other remaining removable drives.
- Close Search Results.
Step 9
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as WORM_NUQEL.VSQ. 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.
