Analysis by: Sabrina Lei Sioting
 Modified by: Cris Nowell Pantanilla
 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

Infection Channel: Spammed via email

This Microsoft Word Document malware uses social engineering methods to lure users into performing certain actions that may, directly or indirectly, cause malicious routines to be performed. Specifically, it makes use of 2012 Olympics to entice users into opening itself.

To get a one-glance comprehensive view of the behavior of this Trojan, refer to the Threat Diagram shown below.

This Trojan arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users.

It executes the dropped file(s). As a result, malicious routines of the dropped files are exhibited on the affected system.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 205,931 bytes
File Type: DOC
Initial Samples Received Date: 21 Sep 2011
Payload: Drops files

Arrival Details

This Trojan arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users.

Installation

This Trojan drops the following non-malicious file:

  • %User Temp%\Early Check-In 2012 London Olympics.doc

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

Dropping Routine

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\Winword.exe - TROJ_DROPHIN.A

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

It takes advantage of the following software vulnerabilities to drop malicious files:

It executes the dropped file(s). As a result, malicious routines of the dropped files are exhibited on the affected system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 8.442.09
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 21 Sep 2011
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 8.443.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 22 Sep 2011

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_ARTIEF.XPL

Step 3

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.
  • %User Temp%\Early Check-In 2012 London Olympics.doc

Step 4

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_ARTIEF.XPL. 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.

Step 5

Download and apply these security patches Refrain from using these products until the appropriate patches have been installed. Trend Micro advises users to download critical patches upon release by vendors.


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