Analysis by: Christopher Daniel So
ALIASES:

Rogue:Win32/PakeRean (Microsoft), UltraDefraggerFraud (Symantec), FakeAlert-Rena.ac (McAfee)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • 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 executes the dropped file(s). As a result, malicious routines of the dropped files are exhibited on the affected system.

It deletes itself after execution.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 954,880 bytes
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 09 Sep 2011
Payload: Drops files

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.

Dropping Routine

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\Security Protection.lnk

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

It drops the following files:

  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\defender.exe - detected by Trend Micro as TROJ_FKEAV.SME3

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

It executes the dropped file(s). As a result, malicious routines of the dropped files are exhibited on the affected system.

Other Details

This Trojan deletes itself after execution.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 8.416.10
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 09 Sep 2011
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 8.417.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 09 Sep 2011

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_FAKEAV.ARL

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.
  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\Security Protection.lnk

Step 4

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