TROJ_FAKEAV.ASH
Microsoft: Rogue:Win32/FakeRean; McAfee: FakeAlert-Rena.ac; Kaspersky: Trojan.Win32.Diple.admf; Symantec: UltraDefraggerFraud
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
Threat Type: Trojan
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: No
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 installs a fake antivirus/antispyware software. It displays fake alerts that warn users of infection. It also displays fake scanning results of the affected system. It then asks for users to purchase it once scanning is completed. If users decide to purchase the rogue product, users are directed to a certain website asking for sensitive information, such as credit card numbers.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
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.
Installation
This Trojan drops the following component file(s):
- %Desktop%\Security Protection.lnk
(Note: %Desktop% is the current user's desktop, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Desktop on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Desktop on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Desktop on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)
It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\defender.exe
(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)
Autostart Technique
This Trojan adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Security Protection = "%System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\defender.exe"
Other System Modifications
This Trojan adds the following registry keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\479C586E30E338587ADD7208914D942E
Other Details
This Trojan connects to the following possibly malicious URL:
- http://{BLOCKED}x.com/scripts/ss.php?id=111
- http://{BLOCKED}ssecrets.com/video/s.php?id=111
Rogue Antivirus Routine
This Trojan installs a fake antivirus/antispyware software.
It displays fake alerts that warn users of infection. It also displays fake scanning results of the affected system. It then asks for users to purchase it once scanning is completed. If users decide to purchase the rogue product, users are directed to a certain website asking for sensitive information, such as credit card numbers.
SOLUTION
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
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.ASH
Step 3
Restart in Safe Mode
Step 4
Delete this registry value
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
- Security Protection = "%System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\defender.exe"
- Security Protection = "%System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\defender.exe"
Step 5
Delete this registry key
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. Before you could do this, you must restart in Safe Mode. For instructions on how to do this, you may refer to this page If the preceding step requires you to restart in safe mode, you may proceed to edit the system registry.
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
- 479C586E30E338587ADD7208914D942E
- 479C586E30E338587ADD7208914D942E
Step 6
Search and delete this file
- %Desktop%\Security Protection.lnk
Step 7
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.ASH. 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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