Analysis by: Lord Alfred Remorin
 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 may be dropped by other malware.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 75,704 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 16 Aug 2012

Arrival Details

This Trojan may be dropped by the following malware:

  • TROJ_ARTIEF.LOG

Installation

This Trojan drops the following component file(s):

  • %User Startup%\SystemDebugger.lnk

(Note: %User Startup% is the current user's Startup folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.)

Autostart Technique

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

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
SystemDebugger = "{malware path}"

Download Routine

This Trojan downloads an updated copy of itself from the following website(s):

  • http://{BLOCKED}unty.net
  • http://{BLOCKED}stingtalk.com

It connects to the following website(s) to download and execute a malicious file:

  • http://{BLOCKED}unty.net/first-time/msreg.exe - detected as TSPY_KEYLOG.ZGD

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • %User Profile%\programs\msreg.exe

(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name} on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name} on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 9.328.06
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 16 Aug 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 the malware/grayware file that dropped/downloaded TROJ_DLOADR.ZGD

     
    • TROJ_ARTIEF.LOG

Step 3

Remove malware/grayware files dropped/downloaded by TROJ_DLOADR.ZGD

Step 4

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as TROJ_DLOADR.ZGD

Step 5

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 6

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • SystemDebugger = "{malware path}"

Step 7

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.
  • %User Startup%\SystemDebugger.lnk

Step 8

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