PE_VIRUX.GEN-1
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
Threat Type: File infector
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: Yes
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
This file infector arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.
It modifies registry entries to hide files with System and Read-only attributes.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Varies
EXE
Yes
06 Apr 2011
Arrival Details
This file infector 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 file infector drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:
- %System%\Flashy.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.)
Autostart Technique
This file infector adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Flashy Bot = "%System%\Flashy.exe"
It drops the following file(s) in the Windows User Startup folder to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
- systemID.pif
Other System Modifications
This file infector adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
NoFolderOptions = "1"
It modifies the following registry key(s)/entry(ies) as part of its installation routine:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess
Start = "4"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 2.)
It modifies the following registry entries to hide files with System and Read-only attributes:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Hidden = "2"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
HideFileExt = "1"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 0.)