Analysis by: Cris Nowell Pantanilla
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel: Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware

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. It may be hosted on a website and run when a user accesses the said website.

It inserts an IFRAME tag that redirects users to certain URLs.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 18,814 bytes
File Type: JS
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 18 Apr 2012
Payload: Drops files

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.

It may be hosted on a website and run when a user accesses the said website.

Installation

This Trojan creates the following folders:

  • %Desktop%\m0rpheus

(Note: %Desktop% is the current user's desktop, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Desktop on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Desktop on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Desktop on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

Other Details

This Trojan inserts an IFRAME tag that redirects users to the following URLs:

  • http://{BLOCKED}146.147/m0rpheus/update_m0rpheus.js
  • http://{BLOCKED}.es/images/mf.js

NOTES:

It searches for folders in the following directory then drops a shortcut link as {folder name}.lnk:

  • %Desktop%
  • %User Profile%\My Documents
  • %Start Menu%
  • %Start Menu%\Programs
  • %Start Menu%\Programas
  • {drive letter}

    It also drops a copy of itself as M0rPheuS.tpl in the same directory where the the folders are created. This copy is executed when the created folders shortcutes are opened.

    It modifies the attributes of folders found into Hidden to trick users into thinking that the folders have been deleted. The dropped shortcut links are detected as LNK_MORPHE.SMI.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 8.920.02
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 18 Apr 2012
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 8.921.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 19 Apr 2012

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 JS_MORPHE.VTG

Step 3

Search and delete these folders

[ Learn More ]
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.
  • %Desktop%\m0rpheus

Step 4

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as JS_MORPHE.VTG. 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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