TROJ_FAKEAV.EAZ
Rogue:Win32/FakeRean (Microsoft); FakeAlert-MY (McAfee)
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
![](/vinfo/imgFiles/legend.jpg)
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 employs registry shell spawning by adding certain registry entries. This allows this malware to execute even when other applications are opened.
It deletes the initially executed copy of itself.
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 files:
- %Application Data%\1gx8VwiF
(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)
It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:
- %Application Data%\av.exe
(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)
Autostart Technique
This Trojan employs registry shell spawning to ensure its execution when certain file types are accessed by adding the following entries:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\secfile\shell\
open\command
(Default) = ""%Application Data%\av.exe" /START "%1" %*"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\shell\
open\command
(Default) = ""%Application Data%\av.exe" /START "%1" %*"
Other System Modifications
This Trojan adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows
Identity = "{hex value}"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\DomainProfile
EnableFirewall = "0"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\DomainProfile
DoNotAllowExceptions = "0"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\DomainProfile
DisableNotifications = "1"
It modifies the following registry entries:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe
(Default) = "secfile"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is exefile.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\
StartMenuInternet\FIREFOX.EXE\shell\
open\command
(Default) = ""%Application Data%\av.exe" /START "%Program Files%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe""
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %Program Files%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\
StartMenuInternet\FIREFOX.EXE\shell\
safemode\command
(Default) = ""%Application Data%\av.exe" /START "%Program Files%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -safe-mode"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is "%Program Files%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -safe-mode.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\
StartMenuInternet\IEXPLORE.EXE\shell\
open\command
(Default) = ""%Application Data%\av.exe" /START "%Program Files%\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe""
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %Program Files%\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
AntiVirusDisableNotify = "1"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 0.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
FirewallDisableNotify = "1"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 0.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
UpdatesDisableNotify = "1"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 0.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
AntiVirusOverride = "1"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 0.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
FirewallOverride = "1"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 0.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess
Start = "4"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 2.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile
EnableFirewall = "0"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile
DisableNotifications = "1"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 0.)
Other Details
This Trojan connects to the following possibly malicious URL:
- {BLOCKED}ubalino.com
- {BLOCKED}rus-one-care2010.com
- {BLOCKED}barilos.com
- {BLOCKED}unelo.com
- {BLOCKED}ertunad.com
- {BLOCKED}c-care.com
- {BLOCKED}re-antivirus.com
- {BLOCKED}e-antivirus2010.com
- {BLOCKED}care.com
- {BLOCKED}care2010.com
- {BLOCKED}ertuga.com
- {BLOCKED}uberade.com
- {BLOCKED}ty-pccare.com
- {BLOCKED}typccare.com
- {BLOCKED}tubalin.com
- {BLOCKED}nerduma.com
- {BLOCKED}galion.com
- {BLOCKED}e-care.com
- {BLOCKED}e-care21.com
It deletes the initially executed copy of itself
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
Identify and terminate files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.EAZ
- 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 3
Restore this modified 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.
- HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\secfile\shell\open\command
- HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\shell\open\command
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
- Identity = "{hex value}"
- Identity = "{hex value}"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\DomainProfile
- EnableFirewall = "0"
- EnableFirewall = "0"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\DomainProfile
- DoNotAllowExceptions = "0"
- DoNotAllowExceptions = "0"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\DomainProfile
- DisableNotifications = "1"
- DisableNotifications = "1"
Step 5
Restore this modified 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_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe
- From: (Default) = "secfile"
To: (Default) = "exefile"
- From: (Default) = "secfile"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\FIREFOX.EXE\shell\open\command
- From: (Default) = ""%Application Data%\av.exe" /START "%Program Files%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe""
To: (Default) = "%Program Files%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"
- From: (Default) = ""%Application Data%\av.exe" /START "%Program Files%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe""
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\FIREFOX.EXE\shell\safemode\command
- From: (Default) = ""%Application Data%\av.exe" /START "%Program Files%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -safe-mode"
To: (Default) = ""%Program Files%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -safe-mode"
- From: (Default) = ""%Application Data%\av.exe" /START "%Program Files%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -safe-mode"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\IEXPLORE.EXE\shell\open\command
- From: (Default) = ""%Application Data%\av.exe" /START "%Program Files%\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe""
To: (Default) = "%Program Files%\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe"
- From: (Default) = ""%Application Data%\av.exe" /START "%Program Files%\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe""
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center
- From: AntiVirusDisableNotify = "1"
To: AntiVirusDisableNotify = "0"
- From: AntiVirusDisableNotify = "1"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center
- From: FirewallDisableNotify = "1"
To: FirewallDisableNotify = "0"
- From: FirewallDisableNotify = "1"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center
- From: UpdatesDisableNotify = "1"
To: UpdatesDisableNotify = "0"
- From: UpdatesDisableNotify = "1"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center
- From: AntiVirusOverride = "1"
To: AntiVirusOverride = "0"
- From: AntiVirusOverride = "1"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center
- From: FirewallOverride = "1"
To: FirewallOverride = "0"
- From: FirewallOverride = "1"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess
- From: Start = "4"
To: Start = "2"
- From: Start = "4"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile
- From: EnableFirewall = "0"
To: EnableFirewall = "1"
- From: EnableFirewall = "0"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile
- From: DisableNotifications = "1"
To: DisableNotifications = "0"
- From: DisableNotifications = "1"
Step 6
Search and delete this file
- %Application Data%\1gx8VwiF
Step 7
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.EAZ. 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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