ALIASES:

Trojan:Win32/Bumat!rts (Microsoft); Generic.dx!baql (McAfee); Trojan.ADH (Symantec); ARC:NSIS, [data0001]:Trojan-Clicker.Win32.Agent.mcv, [360se.knl]:Trojan.JS.Agent.bor, [360se.knl]:Tr (Kaspersky); Trojan.Win32.Generic!BT (Sunbelt); Dropped:Trojan.JS.QBW (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.

It disables Task Manager, Registry Editor, and Folder Options.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 41,790 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 10 May 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.

Other System Modifications

This Trojan deletes the following files:

  • %User Temp%\nsq1.tmp
  • %User Profile%\QUICK LAUNCH\Launch Internet Explorer Browser.lnk

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

It adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.knl

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
FileExts\.jse\OpenWithList

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
RecentDocs\.knl

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.rrls

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.rrls\PersistentHandler

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.rrls\ShellEx\
{000214EE-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.rrls\ShellEx\
{000214F9-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.rrls\ShellEx\
{00021500-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.rrls\ShellEx\
{CABB0DA0-DA57-11CF-9974-0020AFD79762}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.rrls\ShellEx\
{FBF23B80-E3F0-101B-8488-00AA003E56F8}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
.rrls

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\PropertySystem\
PropertyHandlers\.rrls

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.qa

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\qafile

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\qafile\DefaultIcon

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\qafile\CLSID

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\qafile\shell

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\qafile\shell\
open

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\qafile\shell\
open\command

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\qafile\shellex\
IconHandler

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\qafile\shellex\
ContextMenuHandlers

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
HideDesktopIcons

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Toolbar\WebBrowser
ITBar7Layout = "{random values}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
FileExts\.jse\OpenWithList
MRUList = "ba"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
RecentDocs\.knl
MRUListEx = "{random values}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
RecentDocs\.knl
0 = "{random values}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
RecentDocs\.knl
5 = "{random values}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
RecentDocs\.knl
4 = "{random values}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
RecentDocs\.knl
1 = "{random values}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
RecentDocs\.knl
2 = "{random values}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
RecentDocs\.knl
3 = "{random values}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
RecentDocs\.knl
6 = "{random values}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\PropertySystem\
PropertyHandlers\.rrls
DisableProcessIsolation = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
qafile\shell\open
CLSID = "{FBF23B40-E3F0-101B-8488-00AA003E56F8}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
HideDesktopIcons
ClassicStartMenu = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel
{871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D} = "1"

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Toolbar\WebBrowser
ITBarLayout = "{random values}"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {random values}.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
StartPage
Favorites = "{random values}"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {random values}.)

It creates the following registry entry(ies) to disable Task Manager, Registry Tools and Folder Options:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
NoInternetIcon = "1"

Dropping Routine

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %Program Files%\NetMeeting\360se.knl
  • %Program Files%\NetMeeting\tao.ico
  • %Desktop%\Internet Expl0rer.qa
  • %User Profile%\Quick Launch\LAUNCH INTERNET EXPLORER BROWSER.qa

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.. %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.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name} on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name} on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

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

Enable Registry Editor, Task Manager, and Folder options

[ Learn More ]
By doing this step, you also enable other applications/programs disabled by this malware/grayware.

Step 3

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_CLASSES_ROOT
    • .knl
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.jse
    • OpenWithList
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RecentDocs
    • .knl
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • .rrls
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.rrls
    • PersistentHandler
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.rrls\ShellEx
    • {000214EE-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.rrls\ShellEx
    • {000214F9-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.rrls\ShellEx
    • {00021500-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.rrls\ShellEx
    • {CABB0DA0-DA57-11CF-9974-0020AFD79762}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.rrls\ShellEx
    • {FBF23B80-E3F0-101B-8488-00AA003E56F8}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes
    • .rrls
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PropertySystem\PropertyHandlers
    • .rrls
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • .qa
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • qafile
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\qafile
    • DefaultIcon
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\qafile
    • CLSID
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\qafile
    • shell
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\qafile\shell
    • open
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\qafile\shell\open
    • command
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\qafile\shellex
    • IconHandler
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\qafile\shellex
    • ContextMenuHandlers
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • HideDesktopIcons
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons
    • NewStartPanel

Step 4

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\WebBrowser
    • ITBar7Layout = "{random values}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.jse\OpenWithList
    • MRUList = "ba"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RecentDocs\.knl
    • MRUListEx = "{random values}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RecentDocs\.knl
    • 0 = "{random values}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RecentDocs\.knl
    • 5 = "{random values}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RecentDocs\.knl
    • 4 = "{random values}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RecentDocs\.knl
    • 1 = "{random values}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RecentDocs\.knl
    • 2 = "{random values}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RecentDocs\.knl
    • 3 = "{random values}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RecentDocs\.knl
    • 6 = "{random values}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PropertySystem\PropertyHandlers\.rrls
    • DisableProcessIsolation = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\qafile\shell\open
    • CLSID = "{FBF23B40-E3F0-101B-8488-00AA003E56F8}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons
    • ClassicStartMenu = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel
    • {871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D} = "1"

Step 5

Restore this modified 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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\WebBrowser
    • From: ITBarLayout = "{random values}"
      To: ITBarLayout = ""{random values}""
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage
    • From: Favorites = "{random values}"
      To: Favorites = ""{random values}""

Step 6

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.
  • %Program Files%\NetMeeting\360se.knl
  • %Program Files%\NetMeeting\tao.ico
  • %Desktop%\Internet Expl0rer.qa
  • %User Profile%\Quick Launch\LAUNCH INTERNET EXPLORER BROWSER.qa

Step 7

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

Step 8

Restore this file from backup only Microsoft-related files will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted files related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on you computer again.

  • %User Temp%\nsq1.tmp
  • %User Profile%\QUICK LAUNCH\Launch Internet Explorer Browser.lnk


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.