PLATFORM:

Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type:

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Trojan adds registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup.



It connects to certain URLs. It may do this to remotely inform a malicious user of its installation. It may also do this to download possibly malicious files onto the computer, which puts the computer at a greater risk of infection by other threats.



  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 235008 bytes
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 19 Dec 2009

Installation


This Trojan drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

    • %Current%\acon.exe



Autostart Technique


This Trojan adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:



Other System Modifications


This Trojan adds the following registry keys:



Download Routine


This Trojan connects to the following malicious URLs:

    • {BLOCKED}
    • {BLOCKED}


  SOLUTION


Step 1


Terminate the malware/grayware/spyware process:

[ Learn More ]
Notes=
  • For Windows 98 and ME users, Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
  • If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  • If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.


    • Step 2


    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.

    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\acon
      • day=2009-11-27
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\Windows\CURRENTVERSION\Run\acon
      • %Current%\acon.exe=REG_SZ


    Step 3


    Search and delete these files

    [ 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.
    • %Current%\acon.exe


    Note: To do a search for the following files, right-click Start then click Search... or Find..., depending on the version of Windows you are running. For each file to be deleted, type its file name in the Named input box. In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer, then press Enter.
  • Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the file.
  • Repeat the said steps for all files listed.


    • Step 4


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

    *Note: 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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