TROJ_FAKEAV.TWT

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. When users agree to buy the software, it connects to a certain URL.

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:

• %Application Data%\Protector-{random}.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.)

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Direct3D\MostRecentApplication
Name = "Protector-{random}.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
system
EnableLUA = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
system
ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
system
ConsentPromptBehaviorUser = "0"

It adds the following registry keys as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Direct3D

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
DirectDraw\MostRecentApplication
Name = "Protector-{random}.exe"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is "googletalk.exe".)

Dropping Routine

This Trojan drops the following files:

• %System%\d3d9caps.dat

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\System32 on Windows NT and 2000, or C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP and Server 2003.)

Other Details

This Trojan connects to the following URL(s) to get the affected system's IP address:

• http://www.cmyip.com/

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.

When users agree to buy the software, it connects to the following URL to continue the purchase:

• http://{BLOCKED}t.onlinesecstats.info

NOTES:

This Trojan adds the following registry entries to disable the Registry Editor and Task Manager:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\regedit.exe
Debugger = "%Application Data%\Protector-lujx.exee reg"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\taskmgr.exe
Debugger = "%Application Data%\Protector-lujx.exee task"

It also prevents the execution of several security related processes by creating the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\{exe file}
Debugger = "svchost.exe"

{exe file} is a list of the following:

• avgctrl.exe
• avgdumpx.exe
• avgemc.exe
• avgiproxy.exe
• avgnsx.exe
• avgnt.exe
• avgrsx.exe
• avgscanx.exe
• avgserv.exe
• avgserv9.exe
• avgsrmax.exe
• avgtray.exe
• avguard.exe
• avgui.exe
• avgupd.exe
• avgw.exe
• avgwdsvc.exe
• avkpop.exe
• avkserv.exe
• avkservice.exe
• avkwctl9.exe
• avltmain.exe
• avmailc.exe
• avmcdlg.exe
• avnotify.exe
• avnt.exe
• avp32.exe
• avpcc.exe
• avpdos32.exe
• avpm.exe
• avptc32.exe
• avpupd.exe
• avsched32.exe
• avshadow.exe
• avsynmgr.exe
• avupgsvc.exe
• AVWEBGRD.EXE
• avwin.exe
• avwin95.exe
• avwinnt.exe
• avwsc.exe
• avwupd.exe
• avwupd32.exe
• avwupsrv.exe
• avxmonitor9x.exe
• avxmonitornt.exe
• avxquar.exe
• b.exe
• backweb.exe
• bargains.exe
• bd_professional.exe
• bdfvcl.exe
• bdfvwiz.exe
• BDInProcPatch.exe
• bdmcon.exe
• BDMsnScan.exe
• BDSurvey.exe
• beagle.exe
• belt.exe
• bidef.exe
• bidserver.exe
• bipcp.exe
• bipcpevalsetup.exe
• bisp.exe
• blackd.exe
• blackice.exe
• blink.exe
• blss.exe
• bootconf.exe
• bootwarn.exe
• borg2.exe
• bpc.exe
• brasil.exe
• brastk.exe
• brw.exe
• bs120.exe
• bspatch.exe
• bundle.exe
• bvt.exe
• c.exe
• cavscan.exe
• ccapp.exe
• ccevtmgr.exe
• ccpxysvc.exe
• ccSvcHst.exe
• cdp.exe
• cfd.exe
• cfgwiz.exe
• cfiadmin.exe
• cfiaudit.exe
• cfinet.exe
• cfinet32.exe
• cfp.exe
• cfpconfg.exe
• cfplogvw.exe
• cfpupdat.exe
• claw95.exe
• claw95cf.exe
• clean.exe
• cleaner.exe
• cleaner3.exe
• cleanIELow.exe
• cleanpc.exe
• click.exe
• cmd32.exe
• cmdagent.exe
• cmesys.exe
• cmgrdian.exe
• cmon016.exe
• connectionmonitor.exe
• control
• cpd.exe
• cpf9x206.exe
• cpfnt206.exe
• crashrep.exe
• csc.exe
• cssconfg.exe
• cssupdat.exe
• cssurf.exe
• ctrl.exe
• cv.exe
• cwnb181.exe
• cwntdwmo.exe
• d.exe
• datemanager.exe
• dcomx.exe
• defalert.exe
• defscangui.exe
• defwatch.exe
• deloeminfs.exe
• deputy.exe
• divx.exe
• dllcache.exe
• dllreg.exe
• doors.exe
• dop.exe
• dpf.exe
• dpfsetup.exe
• dpps2.exe
• driverctrl.exe
• drwatson.exe
• drweb32.exe
• drwebupw.exe
• dssagent.exe
• dvp95.exe
• dvp95_0.exe
• ecengine.exe
• efpeadm.exe
• emsw.exe
• ent.exe
• esafe.exe
• escanhnt.exe
• escanv95.exe
• espwatch.exe
• ethereal.exe
• etrustcipe.exe
• evpn.exe
• exantivirus-cnet.exe
• exe.avxw.exe
• expert.exe
• explore.exe
• f-agnt95.exe
• f-prot.exe
• f-prot95.exe
• f-stopw.exe
• fact.exe
• fameh32.exe
• fast.exe
• fch32.exe
• fih32.exe
• findviru.exe
• firewall.exe
• fixcfg.exe
• fixfp.exe
• fnrb32.exe
• fp-win.exe
• fp-win_trial.exe
• fprot.exe
• frmwrk32.exe
• frw.exe
• fsaa.exe
• fsav.exe
• fsav32.exe
• fsav530stbyb.exe
• fsav530wtbyb.exe
• fsav95.exe
• fsgk32.exe
• fsm32.exe
• fsma32.exe
• fsmb32.exe
• gator.exe
• gav.exe
• gbmenu.exe
• gbn976rl.exe
• gbpoll.exe
• generics.exe
• gmt.exe
• guard.exe
• guarddog.exe
• guardgui.exe
• hacktracersetup.exe
• hbinst.exe
• hbsrv.exe
• History.exe
• homeav2010.exe
• hotactio.exe
• hotpatch.exe
• htlog.exe
• htpatch.exe
• hwpe.exe
• hxdl.exe
• hxiul.exe
• iamapp.exe
• iamserv.exe
• iamstats.exe
• ibmasn.exe
• ibmavsp.exe
• icload95.exe
• icloadnt.exe
• icmon.exe
• icsupp95.exe
• icsuppnt.exe
• Identity.exe
• idle.exe
• iedll.exe
• iedriver.exe
• IEShow.exe
• iface.exe
• ifw2000.exe
• inetlnfo.exe
• infus.exe
• infwin.exe
• init.exe
• init32.exe
• install[1].exe
• install[2].exe
• install[3].exe
• install[4].exe
• install[5].exe
• intdel.exe
• intren.exe
• iomon98.exe
• istsvc.exe
• jammer.exe
• jdbgmrg.exe
• jedi.exe
• JsRcGen.exe
• kavlite40eng.exe
• kavpers40eng.exe
• kavpf.exe
• kazza.exe
• keenvalue.exe
• kerio-pf-213-en-win.exe
• kerio-wrl-421-en-win.exe
• kerio-wrp-421-en-win.exe
• killprocesssetup161.exe
• ldnetmon.exe
• ldpro.exe
• ldpromenu.exe
• ldscan.exe
• licmgr.exe
• lnetinfo.exe
• loader.exe
• localnet.exe
• lockdown.exe
• lockdown2000.exe
• lookout.exe
• lordpe.exe
• lsetup.exe
• luall.exe
• luau.exe
• lucomserver.exe
• luinit.exe
• luspt.exe
• MalwareRemoval.exe
• mapisvc32.exe
• mbam.exe
• mbamgui.exe
• mbamservice.exe
• mcagent.exe
• mcmnhdlr.exe
• mcmpeng.exe
• mcmscsvc.exe
• mcnasvc.exe
• mcproxy.exe
• McSACore.exe
• mcshell.exe
• mcshield.exe
• mcsysmon.exe
• mctool.exe
• mcupdate.exe
• mcvsrte.exe
• mcvsshld.exe
• md.exe
• mfin32.exe
• mfw2en.exe
• mfweng3.02d30.exe
• mgavrtcl.exe
• mgavrte.exe
• mghtml.exe
• mgui.exe
• minilog.exe
• mmod.exe
• monitor.exe
• moolive.exe
• mostat.exe
• mpfagent.exe
• mpfservice.exe
• MPFSrv.exe
• mpftray.exe
• mrflux.exe
• mrt.exe
• msa.exe
• msapp.exe
• MSASCui.exe
• msbb.exe
• msblast.exe
• mscache.exe
• msccn32.exe
• mscman.exe
• msconfig
• msdm.exe
• msdos.exe
• msiexec16.exe
• mslaugh.exe
• msmgt.exe
• msmsgri32.exe
• msseces.exe
• mssmmc32.exe
• mssys.exe
• msvxd.exe
• mu0311ad.exe
• mwatch.exe
• n32scanw.exe
• nav.exe
• navap.navapsvc.exe
• navapsvc.exe
• navapw32.exe
• navdx.exe
• navlu32.exe
• navnt.exe
• navstub.exe
• navw32.exe
• navwnt.exe
• nc2000.exe
• ncinst4.exe
• ndd32.exe
• neomonitor.exe
• neowatchlog.exe
• netarmor.exe
• netd32.exe
• netinfo.exe
• netmon.exe
• netscanpro.exe
• netspyhunter-1.2.exe
• netutils.exe
• nisserv.exe
• nisum.exe
• nmain.exe
• nod32.exe
• normist.exe
• norton_internet_secu_3.0_407.exe
• notstart.exe
• npf40_tw_98_nt_me_2k.exe
• npfmessenger.exe
• nprotect.exe
• npscheck.exe
• npssvc.exe
• nsched32.exe
• nssys32.exe
• nstask32.exe
• nsupdate.exe
• nt.exe
• ntrtscan.exe
• ntvdm.exe
• ntxconfig.exe
• nui.exe
• nupgrade.exe
• nvarch16.exe
• nvc95.exe
• nvsvc32.exe
• nwinst4.exe
• nwservice.exe
• nwtool16.exe
• OAcat.exe
• OAhlp.exe
• OAReg.exe
• oasrv.exe
• oaui.exe
• oaview.exe
• ODSW.exe
• ollydbg.exe
• onsrvr.exe
• optimize.exe
• ostronet.exe
• otfix.exe
• outpost.exe
• outpostinstall.exe
• outpostproinstall.exe
• ozn695m5.exe
• padmin.exe
• panixk.exe
• patch.exe
• pav.exe
• pavcl.exe
• PavFnSvr.exe
• pavproxy.exe
• pavprsrv.exe
• pavsched.exe
• pavsrv51.exe
• pavw.exe
• pc.exe
• PC_Antispyware2010.exe
• pccwin98.exe
• pcfwallicon.exe
• pcip10117_0.exe
• pcscan.exe
• pctsAuxs.exe
• pctsGui.exe
• pctsSvc.exe
• pctsTray.exe
• pdfndr.exe
• pdsetup.exe
• PerAvir.exe
• periscope.exe
• persfw.exe
• personalguard
• personalguard.exe
• perswf.exe
• pf2.exe
• pfwadmin.exe
• pgmonitr.exe
• pingscan.exe
• platin.exe
• pop3trap.exe
• poproxy.exe
• popscan.exe
• portdetective.exe
• portmonitor.exe
• powerscan.exe
• ppinupdt.exe
• pptbc.exe
• ppvstop.exe
• prizesurfer.exe
• prmt.exe
• prmvr.exe
• procdump.exe
• processmonitor.exe
• procexplorerv1.0.exe
• programauditor.exe
• proport.exe
• protector.exe
• protectx.exe
• PSANCU.exe
• PSANHost.exe
• PSANToManager.exe
• PsCtrls.exe
• PsImSvc.exe
• PskSvc.exe
• pspf.exe
• PSUNMain.exe
• purge.exe
• qconsole.exe
• qh.exe
• qserver.exe
• Quick Heal.exe
• QuickHealCleaner.exe
• rapapp.exe
• rav7.exe
• rav7win.exe
• rav8win32eng.exe
• ray.exe
• rb32.exe
• rcsync.exe
• realmon.exe
• reged.exe
• regedt32.exe
• rescue.exe
• rescue32.exe
• rrguard.exe
• rscdwld.exe
• rshell.exe
• rtvscan.exe
• rtvscn95.exe
• rulaunch.exe
• rwg.exe
• SafetyKeeper.exe
• safeweb.exe
• sahagent.exe
• Save.exe
• SaveArmor.exe
• SaveDefense.exe
• SaveKeep.exe
• savenow.exe
• sbserv.exe
• sc.exe
• scam32.exe
• scan32.exe
• scan95.exe
• scanpm.exe
• scrscan.exe
• Secure Veteran.exe
• secureveteran.exe
• Security Center.exe
• SecurityFighter.exe
• securitysoldier.exe
• serv95.exe
• setloadorder.exe
• setup_flowprotector_us.exe
• setupvameeval.exe
• sgssfw32.exe
• sh.exe
• shellspyinstall.exe
• shield.exe
• shn.exe
• showbehind.exe
• signcheck.exe
• smart.exe
• smartprotector.exe
• smc.exe
• smrtdefp.exe
• sms.exe
• smss32.exe
• snetcfg.exe
• soap.exe
• sofi.exe
• SoftSafeness.exe
• sperm.exe
• spf.exe
• sphinx.exe
• spoler.exe
• spoolcv.exe
• spoolsv32.exe
• spywarexpguard.exe
• spyxx.exe
• srexe.exe
• srng.exe
• ss3edit.exe
• ssg_4104.exe
• ssgrate.exe
• st2.exe
• start.exe
• stcloader.exe
• supftrl.exe
• support.exe
• supporter5.exe
• svc.exe
• svchostc.exe
• svchosts.exe
• svshost.exe
• sweep95.exe
• sweepnet.sweepsrv.sys.swnetsup.exe
• symlcsvc.exe
• symproxysvc.exe
• symtray.exe
• system.exe
• system32.exe
• sysupd.exe
• tapinstall.exe
• taumon.exe
• tbscan.exe
• tc.exe
• tca.exe
• tcm.exe
• tds-3.exe
• tds2-98.exe
• tds2-nt.exe
• teekids.exe
• tfak.exe
• tfak5.exe
• tgbob.exe
• titanin.exe
• titaninxp.exe
• TPSrv.exe
• trickler.exe
• trjscan.exe
• trjsetup.exe
• trojantrap3.exe
• TrustWarrior.exe
• tsadbot.exe
• tsc.exe
• tvmd.exe
• tvtmd.exe
• undoboot.exe
• updat.exe
• upgrad.exe
• utpost.exe
• vbcmserv.exe
• vbcons.exe
• vbust.exe
• vbwin9x.exe
• vbwinntw.exe
• vcsetup.exe
• vet32.exe
• vet95.exe
• vettray.exe
• vfsetup.exe
• vir-help.exe
• virusmdpersonalfirewall.exe
• VisthAux.exe
• VisthLic.exe
• VisthUpd.exe
• vnlan300.exe
• vnpc3000.exe
• vpc32.exe
• vpc42.exe
• vpfw30s.exe
• vptray.exe
• vscan40.exe
• vscenu6.02d30.exe
• vsched.exe
• vsecomr.exe
• vshwin32.exe
• vsisetup.exe
• vsmain.exe
• vsmon.exe
• vsstat.exe
• vswin9xe.exe
• vswinntse.exe
• vswinperse.exe
• w32dsm89.exe
• W3asbas.exe
• w9x.exe
• watchdog.exe
• webdav.exe
• WebProxy.exe
• webscanx.exe
• webtrap.exe
• wfindv32.exe
• whoswatchingme.exe
• wimmun32.exe
• win-bugsfix.exe
• win32.exe
• win32us.exe
• winactive.exe
• winav.exe
• windll32.exe
• window.exe
• windows Police Pro.exe
• windows.exe
• wininetd.exe
• wininitx.exe
• winlogin.exe
• winmain.exe
• winppr32.exe
• winrecon.exe
• winservn.exe
• winssk32.exe
• winstart.exe
• winstart001.exe
• wintsk32.exe
• winupdate.exe
• wkufind.exe
• wnad.exe
• wnt.exe
• wradmin.exe
• wrctrl.exe
• wsbgate.exe
• wscfxas.exe
• wscfxav.exe
• wscfxfw.exe
• wsctool.exe
• wupdater.exe
• wupdt.exe
• wyvernworksfirewall.exe
• xp_antispyware.exe
• xpdeluxe.exe
• xpf202en.exe
• zapro.exe
• zapsetup3001.exe
• zatutor.exe
• zonalm2601.exe
• zonealarm.exe

This Trojan poses as a legitimate antivirus software that displays deceptive warnings and misleading scan results:

If users agree to purchase the software and fully clean the system, they are redirected to the following page: