TROJ_FAKEAV.QUIN
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
![](/vinfo/imgFiles/legend.jpg)
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 displays fake alerts.
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 copies of itself into the affected system:
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random filename}.exe
(Note: %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.)
It creates the following folders:
- %User Temp%\smtmp
- %User Temp%\smtmp\1
- %User Temp%\smtmp\2
- %User Temp%\smtmp\3
- %User Temp%\smtmp\4
(Note: %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)
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
{malware file name} = {malware path and file name}
Other System Modifications
This Trojan adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
ActiveDesktop
NoChangingWallPaper = 1
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Associations
LowRiskFileTypes = {hq:/s`s:/ogn:/uyu:/dyd:/c`u:/bnl:/ble:/sdf:/lrh:/iul:/iulm:/fhg:/clq:/kqf:/`wh:/lqf:/lqdf:/lnw:/lq2:/l2t:/v`w:/rbs:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Attachments
SaveZoneInformation = 1
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
DisableTaskMgr = 1
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
NoDesktop = 1
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
5fa38b7-8b94-4995-ad32-52e938867954 = {blank}
It modifies the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Hidden = 0
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Download
CheckExeSIgnatures = no
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is yes.)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced SuperHidden
SuperHidden = 1
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 0.)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
ShowSuperHidden = 0
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
StartPage
Favorites = FF
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {binary data which contains the pinned programs in the Start Menu, cannot be restored}.)
Rogue Antivirus Routine
This Trojan displays fake alerts.
NOTES:
This malware moves specific files in the following directories:
Operating System major version is 5 (XP, 2000, 2003):
From: %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\
To: %User Temp%\smtmp\1\
From: %User Profile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\
To: %User Temp%\smtmp\2\
From: %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\
To: %User Temp%\smtmp\4\
Operating System major version is 6 (Vista, 2008, 7)
From: %System Root%\ProgramData\Start Menu\
To: %User Temp%\smtmp\1\
From: %User Profile%\Application Data\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\
To: %User Temp%\smtmp\2\
From: %User Profile%\Application Data\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar\
To: %User Temp%\smtmp\3\
From: %System Root%\ProgramData\Desktop\
To: %User Temp%\smtmp\4\
It then sets the attributes of all folders and files in the system to Hidden. It also changes the desktop wallpaper to black. Certain error messages prompts the user that an error is detected and will reboot the machine. These behaviors make the user think that the system has errors.
SOLUTION
Step 1
Before doing any scans, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.
Step 2
Identify and terminate files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.QUIN
- 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 3
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
- {malware file name} = {malware path and file name}
- {malware file name} = {malware path and file name}
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop
- NoChangingWallPaper = 1
- NoChangingWallPaper = 1
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Associations
- LowRiskFileTypes = {hq:/s`s:/ogn:/uyu:/dyd:/c`u:/bnl:/ble:/sdf:/lrh:/iul:/iulm:/fhg:/clq:/kqf:/`wh:/lqf:/lqdf:/lnw:/lq2:/l2t:/v`w:/rbs:
- LowRiskFileTypes = {hq:/s`s:/ogn:/uyu:/dyd:/c`u:/bnl:/ble:/sdf:/lrh:/iul:/iulm:/fhg:/clq:/kqf:/`wh:/lqf:/lqdf:/lnw:/lq2:/l2t:/v`w:/rbs:
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments
- SaveZoneInformation = 1
- SaveZoneInformation = 1
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
- DisableTaskMgr = 1
- DisableTaskMgr = 1
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
- NoDesktop = 1
- NoDesktop = 1
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
- 5fa38b7-8b94-4995-ad32-52e938867954 = {blank}
- 5fa38b7-8b94-4995-ad32-52e938867954 = {blank}
Step 4
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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
- From: Hidden = 0
To: Hidden = 1
- From: Hidden = 0
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Download
- From: CheckExeSIgnatures = no
To: CheckExeSIgnatures = yes
- From: CheckExeSIgnatures = no
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced SuperHidden
- From: SuperHidden = 1
To: SuperHidden = 0
- From: SuperHidden = 1
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
- From: ShowSuperHidden = 0
To: ShowSuperHidden = 1
- From: ShowSuperHidden = 0
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage
- From: Favorites = FF
To: Favorites = {binary data which contains the pinned programs in the Start Menu, cannot be restored}
- From: Favorites = FF
Step 5
- Open a command prompt.
- For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 users, click Start>Run. In the Search box, type CMD then press Enter.
- For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users, click Start, type CMD in the Search input field then press Enter.
- For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower-left corner of the screen, click Command Prompt.
- In the CMD console, type the following:
ATTRIB [+R | -R] [+A | -A ] [+S | -S] [+H | -H] [+I | -I] [drive:][path][file name] [/S [/D] [/L]]
Where:
+ Sets an attribute.
- Clears an attribute
R Read-only file attribute
A Archive file attribute
S System file attribute
H Hidden file attribute
I Not content indexed file attribute
[drive:][path][filename]
Specifies a file or files for attrib to process
/S Processes matching files in the current folder and all subfolders.
/D Processes folders
/L Work on the attributes of the Symbolic Link versus the target of the Symbolic Link
Example:
To unhide all files and folders (including subfolders) in drive D:
ATTRIB –H D:\* /S /D
- Repeat Step 3 for folders and files in other drives or folders.
Step 6
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.QUIN. 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.
NOTES:
To Restore Files to its Original Location:
Open %User Temp%\smtmp and copy the files as follows:
If operating system major version is 5 (XP, 2000, 2003):
From: %User Temp%\smtmp\1\
To: %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\
From: %User Temp%\smtmp\2\
To: %User Profile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\
From: %User Temp%\smtmp\4\
To: %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\
If operating system major version is 6 (Vista, 2008, 7)
From: %User Temp%\smtmp\1\
To: %System Root%\ProgramData\Start Menu\
From: %User Temp%\smtmp\2\
To: %User Profile%\Application Data\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\
From: %User Temp%\smtmp\3\
To: %User Profile%\Application Data\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar\
From: %User Temp%\smtmp\4\
To: %System Root%\ProgramData\Desktop\
After moving the files, delete the folder %User Temp%\smtmp.
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