ALIASES:

Backdoor:Win32/PcClient (Microsoft); MaskPE packed app (McAfee); Trojan.Dropper (Symantec); PAK:PE_Patch.MaskPE, PAK:PE_Patch.MaskPE, PAK:PE_Patch.MaskPE, PAK:PE_Patch, PAK:PE_Patch.PseudoSign (Kaspersky); Packed.Win32.MaskPE (v) (Sunbelt); GenPack:Backdoor.Agent.YYF (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 deletes the initially executed copy of itself.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 376,305 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 16 Feb 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.

Autostart Technique

This Trojan registers as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup by adding the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\gmehjj\Parameters

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\
Services\gmehjj\Parameters

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet003\
Services\gmehjj\Parameters

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SvcHost
gmehjj = ""gmehjj""

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\gmehjj\Parameters
ServiceDll = "%SystemRoot%\System32\gmehjj.dll"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\gmehjj
Start = "2"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\gmehjj
Description = "Microsoft .NET Framework TPM"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\
Services\gmehjj\Parameters
ServiceDll = "%SystemRoot%\System32\gmehjj.dll"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\
Services\gmehjj
Start = "2"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\
Services\gmehjj
Description = "Microsoft .NET Framework TPM"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet003\
Services\gmehjj\Parameters
ServiceDll = "%SystemRoot%\System32\gmehjj.dll"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet003\
Services\gmehjj
Start = "2"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet003\
Services\gmehjj
Description = "Microsoft .NET Framework TPM"

Dropping Routine

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %System%\gmehjj.dll

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\System32 on Windows NT and 2000, or C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP and Server 2003.)

Other Details

This Trojan deletes the initially executed copy of itself

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\gmehjj
    • Parameters
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Services\gmehjj
    • Parameters
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet003\Services\gmehjj
    • Parameters

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SvcHost
    • gmehjj = ""gmehjj""
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\gmehjj\Parameters
    • ServiceDll = "%SystemRoot%\System32\gmehjj.dll"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\gmehjj
    • Start = "2"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\gmehjj
    • Description = "Microsoft .NET Framework TPM"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Services\gmehjj\Parameters
    • ServiceDll = "%SystemRoot%\System32\gmehjj.dll"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Services\gmehjj
    • Start = "2"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Services\gmehjj
    • Description = "Microsoft .NET Framework TPM"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet003\Services\gmehjj\Parameters
    • ServiceDll = "%SystemRoot%\System32\gmehjj.dll"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet003\Services\gmehjj
    • Start = "2"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet003\Services\gmehjj
    • Description = "Microsoft .NET Framework TPM"

Step 5

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.
  • %System%\gmehjj.dll

Step 6

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


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.