TROJ_POPHOT.EB


 ALIASES:

TrojanDownloader:Win32/Agent.ZZB (Microsoft); generic!bg.gb (McAfee); W32.Hitapop (Symantec); PAK:PE_Patch, PAK:UPack, Trojan-Spy.Win32.Pophot.agk (Kaspersky); Trojan-Downloader.Win32.Agent (Sunbelt); Generic.YSpammer.F920BC5C (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:

90,112 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

10 Apr 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 drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %System%\zhqb080308.exe

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\System32 on Windows NT and 2000, or C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP and Server 2003.)

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer\run

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
Explorer\run
zhqb_df = "rundll32.exe %System%\zhqbdf080308.dll mymain"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Check_Associations = "no"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
EnableAutodial = "0"

Dropping Routine

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %System%\zhqbdf080308.dll
  • %System Root%\zhqbdf.bat
  • %System%\zhqb32.dll

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\System32 on Windows NT and 2000, or C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP and Server 2003.. %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

Other Details

This Trojan connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://www5.{BLOCKED}6.cn/mydown.asp?{random characters}
  • http://www3.{BLOCKED}6.cn/mydown.asp?{random characters}
  • http://www4.{BLOCKED}6.cn/mydown.asp?{random characters}
  • http://www1.{BLOCKED}6.cn/mydown.asp?{random characters}
  • http://www2.{BLOCKED}6.cn/mydown.asp?{random characters}

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.200

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

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\Policies\Explorer
    • run

Step 3

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer\run
    • zhqb_df = "rundll32.exe %System%\zhqbdf080308.dll mymain"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
    • Check_Associations = "no"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • EnableAutodial = "0"

Step 4

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.
  • %System%\zhqbdf080308.dll
  • %System Root%\zhqbdf.bat
  • %System%\zhqb32.dll

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_POPHOT.EB. 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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