TROJ_FAKEAV.ZBS
Microsoft: Trojan:Win32/FakeSysdef
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
![](/vinfo/imgFiles/legend.jpg)
Threat Type: Trojan
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: No
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
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.
This Trojan may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.
It connects to certain websites to send and receive information.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Arrival Details
This Trojan may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.
Installation
This Trojan drops the following files:
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random}
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\~{random}
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\~{random}r
- %Desktop%\Windows XP Recovery.lnk
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Windows XP Recovery\Uninstall Windows XP Recovery.lnk
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Windows XP Recovery\Windows XP Recovery.lnk
(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.. %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.. %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows NT and C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu 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\{random}.exe
(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)
It creates the following folders:
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Windows XP Recovery
(Note: %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows NT and C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)
Other System Modifications
This Trojan adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Use FormSuggest = "Yes"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
WarnOnZoneCrossing = "0"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
WarnonBadCertRecving = "0"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
CertificateRevocation = "0"
It modifies the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
Zones\3
1601 = "0"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)
Other Details
This Trojan connects to the following website to send and receive information:
- http://{BLOCKED}ant.org
- http://{BLOCKED}began.org
NOTES:
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 the following website asking for sensitive information, such as credit card numbers:
- http://{BLOCKED}began.org
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.ZBS
- 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
Search and delete these folders
Step 4
Search and delete this file
Step 5
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\Internet Explorer\Main
- Use FormSuggest = "Yes"
- Use FormSuggest = "Yes"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
- WarnOnZoneCrossing = "0"
- WarnOnZoneCrossing = "0"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
- WarnonBadCertRecving = "0"
- WarnonBadCertRecving = "0"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
- CertificateRevocation = "0"
- CertificateRevocation = "0"
Step 6
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\Internet Settings\Zones\3
- From: 1601 = "0"
To: 1601 = "1"
- From: 1601 = "0"
Step 7
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.ZBS. 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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