Analysis by: Sabrina Lei Sioting
ALIASES:

Trojan.Activehijack [Symantec]; W97M/CVE-2011-1980.B [Norman]

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Trojan comes with a .DLL file which is executed when Microsoft Word is successfully exploited.

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 does not have any propagation routine.

It does not have any backdoor routine.

It does not have any downloading capability.

It does not have any information-stealing capability.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 25,088 bytes
File Type: DOC
Initial Samples Received Date: 24 Mar 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.

Propagation

This Trojan does not have any propagation routine.

Backdoor Routine

This Trojan does not have any backdoor routine.

Download Routine

This Trojan does not have any downloading capability.

Information Theft

This Trojan does not have any information-stealing capability.

NOTES:

Other Details

It takes advantage of the following software vulnerability:

  • Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Could Allow Remote Code Execution

More information on this vulnerability can be found below:

This specially-crafted .DOC file takes advantage of vulnerability in certain versions of Microsoft Office to execute a file named imeshare.dll in the malware's current folder. After successfully executing the .DLL file, it then deletes the file and drops a non-malicious file named, Thumbs.db, in the malware's current folder.

As a result, malicious routines of the .DLL file are then exhibited on the affected system.

The said .DLL file is detected by Trend Micro as TROJ_MOONDRP.A.

It does not have rootkit capabilities.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 8.860.08
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 24 Mar 2012
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 8.861.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 24 Mar 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 TROJ_ACTIVEHIJ.B

Step 3

Search and delete this file

[ 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.
  • {malware path}\Thumbs.db

Step 4

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

Step 5

Download and apply this security patch Refrain from using these products until the appropriate patches have been installed. Trend Micro advises users to download critical patches upon release by vendors.


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