Analysis by: Francis Xavier Antazo
 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: File infector

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

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 files by overwriting code in the entry point and saving the overwritten code in the virus body. It then appends the virus body to the host file.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

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 files:

  • C:\test\7-64.sys (copy of original 7-64.dll)
  • C:\test\xp.sys (copy of original xp.dll)
  • C:\test\vista.sys (copy of original vista.dll)
  • C:\test\7-32.sys (copy of original 7-32.dll)
  • C:\test\8-32.sys (copy of original 8-32.dll)
  • C:\test\8-64.sys (copy of original 8-64.dll)
  • %User Temp%\regsvr.dll (detected as PTCH_ELICOP.SM)

(Note: %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)

It then creates the following non-malicious file(s):

  • %System%\dllcache\kernel32.sys (encrypted original kernel32.dll)
  • %Windows%\ServicePackFiles\i386\kernel32.sys (encrypted original kernel32.dll)
  • %System%\kernel32.sys (encrypted original kernel32.dll)
  • %Windows%\SysWOW64\kernel32.sys (encrypted original kernel32.dll)

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.. %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

It adds the following processes:

  • svchost.exe
  • %User Temp%\dllhost.exe
  • %Windows%\SysWOW64\regsvr32.exe ( to load %User Temp%\regsvr.dll )

(Note: %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.. %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

It injects codes into the following process(es):

  • created svchost.exe

Other System Modifications

This file infector adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\
Services\sr\Parameters
FirstRun = "1"

File Infection

This file infector infects the following files:

  • %System%\dllcache\kernel32.dll (if affected system is 32 bit)
  • %Windows%\ServicePackFiles\i386\kernel32.dll (if affected system is 32 bit)
  • %System%\kernel32.dll (if affected system is 32 bit)
  • %Windows\SysWOW64\kernel32.dll (if affected system is 64 bit)
  • C:\test\7-64.dll
  • C:\test\xp.dll
  • C:\test\vista.dll
  • C:\test\7-32.dll
  • C:\test\8-32.dll
  • C:\test\8-64.dll

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.. %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

It overwrites code found in the entry point of a target file. It then appends the virus body to the target file. The overwritten code is saved in the virus body.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.750

Step 1

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

Step 2

Note that not all files, folders, and registry keys and entries are installed on your computer during this malware's/spyware's/grayware's execution. This may be due to incomplete installation or other operating system conditions. If you do not find the same files/folders/registry information, please proceed to the next step.

Step 3

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 4

Remove the malware/grayware file dropped/downloaded by PE_ELICOP.B. (Note: Please skip this step if the threat(s) listed below have already been removed.)

Step 5

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Sr\Parameters
    • FirstRun = "1"

Step 6

Search and delete this file

[ Learn More ]
There may be some 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. DATA_GENERIC
  • In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer then press Enter.
  • Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
    *Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).

    • • For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:

    1. Open a Windows Explorer window.
      • For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
      • For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, then click File Explorer.
    2. In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
      DATA_GENERIC
    3. Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
      *Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.

    Step 7

    Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as PE_ELICOP.B. 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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