PE_DOWN.A-O

June 05, 2014

Modified by: Kathleen Notario

PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

OVERALL RISK RATING:

DAMAGE POTENTIAL:

DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:

REPORTED INFECTION:

Threat Type: File infector
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: No
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 infects by appending its code to target host files.

It drops an AUTORUN.INF file to automatically execute the copies it drops when a user accesses the drives of an affected system.

It deletes itself after execution.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: Varies

File Type: EXE

Memory Resident: Yes

Initial Samples Received Date: 11 Feb 2010

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 Root%\booter.exe

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

It injects itself into the following processes as part of its memory residency routine:

svchost.exe

Other System Modifications

This file infector deletes the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Control\SafeBoot\Minimal

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Control\SafeBoot\Network

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\AppMgmt

File Infection

This file infector infects the following file types:

It infects by appending its code to target host files.

Propagation

This file infector creates the following folders in all removable drives:

recycle.{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}

It drops the following copy(ies) of itself in all removable drives:

{Removable Drive}:\recycle.{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\Setup.exe

It drops an AUTORUN.INF file to automatically execute the copies it drops when a user accesses the drives of an affected system.

The said .INF file contains the following strings:

[autorun]
OPEN=recycle.{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\Setup.exe
shell\open=´ò¿ª(&O)
shell\open\Command=recycle.{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\Setup.exe Show
shell\open\Default=1//
shell\explore=×ÊÔ´¹ÜÀíÆ÷(&X)
shell\explore\Command=recycle.{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\Setup.exe Show

Other Details

This file infector deletes itself after execution.

NOTES:

It also creates a registry entry for certain application names located under the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\
Image File Execution Options

The created entry contains the following data value:

Debugger = "ntsd"

Affected application keys are as follows:

360hotfix.exe
360rp.exe
360rpt.exe
360safe.exe
360safebox.exe
360sd.exe
360se.exe
360SoftMgrSvc.exe
360speedld.exe
360tray.exe
ast.exe
avcenter.exe
avgnt.exe
avguard.exe
avmailc.exe
avp.exe
avwebgrd.exe
bdagent.exe
CCenter.exe
ccSvcHst.exe
egui.exe
ekrn.exe
kavstart.exe
kissvc.exe
kmailmon.exe
kpfw32.exe
kpfwsvc.exe
krnl360svc.exe
kswebshield.exe
KVMonXP.kxp
KVSrvXP.exe
kwatch.exe
livesrv.exe
Mcagent.exe
mcmscsvc.exe
McNASvc.exe
Mcods.exe
McProxy.exe
McSACore.exe
Mcshield.exe
mcsysmon.exe
mcvsshld.exe
MpfSrv.exe
MPMon.exe
MPSVC.exe
MPSVC1.exe
MPSVC2.exe
msksrver.exe
qutmserv.exe
RavMonD.exe
RavTask.exe
RsAgent.exe
rsnetsvr.exe
RsTray.exe
safeboxTray.exe
ScanFrm.exe
sched.exe
seccenter.exe
SfCtlCom.exe
TMBMSRV.exe
TmProxy.exe
UfSeAgnt.exe
vsserv.exe
zhudongfangyu.exe
ÐÞ¸´¹¤¾ß.exe

SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 6.840.06

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 11 Feb 2010

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 6.841.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 11 Feb 2010

Step 1

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.

Step 2

Before doing any scans, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.

Step 3

Identify and delete files detected as PE_DOWN.A-O using either the Startup Disk or Recovery Console

[ Learn More ]

To identify and delete the malware/grayware file:

• On Windows XP and Server 2003 systems:

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and then take note of the names of the malware/grayware files detected.
Click Start>Run. In the Open input box, type secpol.msc and press Enter.
In the left panel, double-click Local Policies>Security Options.
In the right panel, double-click Recovery Console: Allow floppy copy and access to all drives and folders.
Select Enabled and click OK.
Insert the Windows Installation CD into the CD drive, then restart your computer.
When prompted, press any key to boot from the CD.
On the main menu, type r to go to the Recovery Console.
Type the number that corresponds to the drive and directory that contains Windows (usually C:\WINDOWS) and press Enter.
Type the Administrator password and press Enter.
In the input box, type the following then press Enter:
SET AllowAllPaths = TRUE
del "{malware/grayware path and file name}"
Type exit and press Enter to restart the system normally.

• On Windows Vista and 7 systems:

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and then take note of the names of the malware/grayware files detected.
Insert your Windows Installation DVD in the DVD drive, then Press the restart button.
When prompted, press any key to boot from the CD.
Depending on your Windows Installation DVD, you might be required to select the installation language. Then on the Install Windows window, choose your language, locale, and keyboard layout or input method. Click Next, then click Repair your computer.
Select Use recovery tools that can help fix problems starting Windows. Select your installation of Windows. Click Next.
If the Startup Repair window appears, click Cancel, Yes, then Finish.
In the System Recovery Options window, click Command Prompt.
In the Command Prompt window, type the following then press Enter:
BootRec.exe /fixmbr
del "{malware/grayware path and file name}"
Type exit and press Enter to close the Command Prompt window.
Click Restart to restart the system normally.

Step 4

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 NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- 360hotfix.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- 360rp.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- 360rpt.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- 360safe.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- 360safebox.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- 360sd.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- 360se.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- 360SoftMgrSvc.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- 360speedld.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- 360tray.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- ast.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- avcenter.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- avgnt.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- avguard.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- avmailc.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- avp.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- avwebgrd.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- bdagent.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- CCenter.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- ccSvcHst.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- egui.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- ekrn.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- kavstart.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- kissvc.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- kmailmon.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- kpfw32.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- kpfwsvc.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- krnl360svc.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- kswebshield.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- KVMonXP.kxp
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- KVSrvXP.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- kwatch.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- livesrv.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- Mcagent.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- mcmscsvc.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- McNASvc.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- Mcods.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- McProxy.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- McSACore.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- Mcshield.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- mcsysmon.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- mcvsshld.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- MpfSrv.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- MPMon.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- MPSVC.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- MPSVC1.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- MPSVC2.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- msksrver.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- qutmserv.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- RavMonD.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- RavTask.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- RsAgent.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- rsnetsvr.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- RsTray.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- safeboxTray.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- ScanFrm.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- sched.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- seccenter.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- SfCtlCom.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- TMBMSRV.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- TmProxy.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- UfSeAgnt.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- vsserv.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- zhudongfangyu.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- ÐÞ¸´¹¤¾ß.exe

To delete the registry key this malware/grayware created:

Open Registry Editor. Click Start>Run, type REGEDIT, then press Enter.
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows NT>CurrentVersion>Image File Execution Options
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
360hotfix.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
360rp.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
360rpt.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
360safe.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
360safebox.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
360sd.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
360se.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
360SoftMgrSvc.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
360speedld.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
360tray.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
ast.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
avcenter.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
avgnt.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
avguard.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
avmailc.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
avp.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
avwebgrd.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
bdagent.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
CCenter.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
ccSvcHst.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
egui.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
ekrn.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
kavstart.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
kissvc.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
kmailmon.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
kpfw32.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
kpfwsvc.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
krnl360svc.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
kswebshield.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
KVMonXP.kxp
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
KVSrvXP.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
kwatch.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
livesrv.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
Mcagent.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
mcmscsvc.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
McNASvc.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
Mcods.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
McProxy.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
McSACore.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
Mcshield.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
mcsysmon.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
mcvsshld.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
MpfSrv.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
MPMon.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
MPSVC.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
MPSVC1.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
MPSVC2.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
msksrver.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
qutmserv.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
RavMonD.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
RavTask.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
RsAgent.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
rsnetsvr.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
RsTray.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
safeboxTray.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
ScanFrm.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
sched.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
seccenter.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
SfCtlCom.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
TMBMSRV.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
TmProxy.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
UfSeAgnt.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
vsserv.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
zhudongfangyu.exe
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
ÐÞ¸´¹¤¾ß.exe
Close Registry Editor.

Step 5

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.

{Removable Drive}:\recycle.{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}

Step 6

Search and delete AUTORUN.INF files created by PE_DOWN.A-O that contain these strings

[ Learn More ]

Step 7

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as PE_DOWN.A-O. 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

Restoring Deleted Registry Keys

Still in Registry Editor, in the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SYSTEM>CurrentControlSet>
Control>SafeBoot>Minimal
Right-click on the key and choose New>Key. Change the value of the new key to:
{4D36E967-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
Right-click on the value name and choose Modify. Change the value data of this entry to:
DiskDrive
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SYSTEM>CurrentControlSet>
Control>SafeBoot>Network
Right-click on the key and choose New>Key. Change the value of the new key to:
{4D36E967-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
Right-click on the value name and choose Modify. Change the value data of this entry to:
DiskDrive
Close Registry Editor.

Step 9

Restore this deleted registry key/value from backup

*Note: Only Microsoft-related keys/values will be restored. If the malware/grayware also deleted registry keys/values related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on your computer.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\AppMgmt

Did this description help? Tell us how we did.

Related Blog Entries

12 for 2012: What Will The New Year Bring?

PE_DOWN.A-O

OVERVIEW

TECHNICAL DETAILS

SOLUTION

Related Blog Entries

Resources

Support

About Trend

Country Headquarters

PE_DOWN.A-O

OVERVIEW

TECHNICAL DETAILS

SOLUTION

Related Blog Entries

Resources

Support

About Trend

Country Headquarters

The Americas

Middle East & Africa

Europe

Asia & Pacific