PE_VIRUT.TUS
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
Threat Type: File infector
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted:
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.
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 creates the following folders:
- %System%\dllchache
- %Program Files%\Microsoft
(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (64-bit).)
Autostart Technique
This file infector adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Blank AntiViri = "%System Root%\AUT0EXEC.BAT StartUp"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Secure64 = "%System%\dllcache\Regedit32.com StartUp"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Secure32 = "%System%\dllcache\Shell32.com StartUp"
It modifies the following registry entries to ensure it automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Userinit = "%System%\userinit.exe, %System%\M5VBVM60.EXE StartUp "
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %Windows%\system32\userinit.exe,.)
Other System Modifications
This file infector adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
CabinetState
FullPathAddress = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
ShowSuperHidden = "0"
It modifies the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
CabinetState
FullPath = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Hidden = "1"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 2.)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
HideFileExt = "1"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Control\SafeBoot
AlternateShell = "%System Root%\AUT0EXEC.BAT StartUp"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is cmd.exe.)
Dropping Routine
This file infector drops the following files:
- cmgr.exe
- %System Root%\(Read Me)Pendekar Blank.txt
- %Program Files%\Microsoft\px8.tmp
- %User Temp%\ie46F7.tmp
- %System%\dllChache\msvbvm60.dll
- %System Root%\msvbvm60.dll
- %System%\dllcache\msvbvm60.dll
- %System%\dllChache\Empty.jpg
- %System%\dllChache\Blank.doc
- %System%\dllChache\Zero.txt
- %System%\dllChache\Hole.zip
- %System%\dllChache\Unoccupied.reg
- %System Root%\AUT0EXEC.BAT
- %System%\rund1132.exe
- %System%\dllcache\Regedit32.com
- %System%\dllcache\Shell32.com
- %System%\M5VBVM60.EXE
- %System%.exe
- %System%\dllchache.exe
- %Program Files%\Microsoft\WaterMark.exe
Other Details
This file infector connects to the following possibly malicious URL:
- {BLOCKED}0.1
- {BLOCKED}57.27
- {BLOCKED}206.229
- {BLOCKED}3.13.21
- {BLOCKED}.42.156
- {BLOCKED}121.246
- {BLOCKED}.58.73
- {BLOCKED}108.27
- {BLOCKED}108.52
- {BLOCKED}3.124.193
- {BLOCKED}108.11
- {BLOCKED}.197.200
- {BLOCKED}.54.238
- {BLOCKED}.54.135
- {BLOCKED}.228.60
- {BLOCKED}.8.187
This report is generated via an automated analysis system.
SOLUTION
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
Identify and delete files detected as PE_VIRUT.TUS using either the Startup Disk or Recovery Console
Step 3
Delete this registry value
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\CurrentVersion\Run
- Blank AntiViri = "%System Root%\AUT0EXEC.BAT StartUp"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- Secure64 = "%System%\dllcache\Regedit32.com StartUp"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- Secure32 = "%System%\dllcache\Shell32.com StartUp"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CabinetState
- FullPathAddress = "1"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
- ShowSuperHidden = "0"
Step 4
Restore these modified registry values
Important:Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this only if you know how to or you can seek your system administrator's help. You may also check out this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CabinetState
- FullPath = "1"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
- From: Hidden = "1"
To: Hidden = ""2""
- From: Hidden = "1"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
- From: HideFileExt = "1"
To: HideFileExt = ""1""
- From: HideFileExt = "1"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\SafeBoot
- From: AlternateShell = "%System Root%\AUT0EXEC.BAT StartUp"
To: AlternateShell = ""cmd.exe""
- From: AlternateShell = "%System Root%\AUT0EXEC.BAT StartUp"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
- From: Userinit = "%System%\userinit.exe, %System%\M5VBVM60.EXE StartUp "
To: Userinit = ""%Windows%\system32\userinit.exe,""
- From: Userinit = "%System%\userinit.exe, %System%\M5VBVM60.EXE StartUp "
Step 5
Search and delete these components
- cmgr.exe
- %System Root%\(Read Me)Pendekar Blank.txt
- %Program Files%\Microsoft\px8.tmp
- %User Temp%\ie46F7.tmp
- %System%\dllChache\msvbvm60.dll
- %System Root%\msvbvm60.dll
- %System%\dllcache\msvbvm60.dll
- %System%\dllChache\Empty.jpg
- %System%\dllChache\Blank.doc
- %System%\dllChache\Zero.txt
- %System%\dllChache\Hole.zip
- %System%\dllChache\Unoccupied.reg
- %System Root%\AUT0EXEC.BAT
- %System%\rund1132.exe
- %System%\dllcache\Regedit32.com
- %System%\dllcache\Shell32.com
- %System%\M5VBVM60.EXE
- %System%.exe
- %System%\dllchache.exe
- %Program Files%\Microsoft\WaterMark.exe
Step 6
Search and delete these folders
- %System%\dllchache
- %Program Files%\Microsoft
Step 7
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to clean files detected as PE_VIRUT.TUS. 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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