Analysis by: Nice Yutuc

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • 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

File Size: 451,366 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 17 Jan 2012

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:

  • {all users' profiles}\{random}.exe
  • {all users' profiles}\Application Data\{random}
  • {all users' profiles}\Application Data\{random}.exe
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\System Check.lnk
  • %User Profile%\Desktop\System Check.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\System Check\System Check.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\System Check\Uninstall System Check.lnk

(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name} on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name} on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} 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:

  • {all users' profiles}\Application Data\{random}.exe

It creates the following folders:

  • %Start Menu%\Programs\System Check

(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.)

Autostart Technique

This Trojan adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{random}.exe = "%All Users%\Application Data\{random}.exe"

Other System Modifications

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Use FormSuggest = "Yes"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
EnableAutoTray = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
NoFileFolderConnection = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
WarnOnZoneCrossing = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
WarnonBadCertRecving = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
system
DisableTaskMgr = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
TaskbarGlomLevel = "2"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Start_ShowUser = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Start_ShowControlPanel = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Start_ShowHelp = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Start_ShowMyComputer = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Start_ShowMyDocs = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Start_ShowMyMusic = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Start_ShowMyGames = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Start_ShowMyPics = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Start_ShowPrinters = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Start_ShowRun = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Start_ShowSearch = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Start_ShowSetProgramAccessAndDefaults = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Start_ShowNetConn = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Start_ShowNetPlaces = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
CertificateRevocation = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
ActiveDesktop
HidNoChangingWallPaperden = "1"

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\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate
UserRequestedUpdate = "0"

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Download
CheckExeSignatures = "no"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is yes.)

Rogue Antivirus Routine

This Trojan displays fake alerts.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 8.714.10
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 17 Jan 2012
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 8.715.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 18 Jan 2012

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_FAKESYSD.UI

Step 3

Terminate a process file/s detected as TROJ_FAKESYSD.UI

[ Learn More ]

*Note: If the detected file/s is/are not displayed in theWindows Task Manager, continue doing the next steps.

Step 4

Restore this modified registry value

[ Learn More ]

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\Download
    • From: CheckExeSignatures = "no"
      To: CheckExeSignatures = "yes"

Step 5

Delete this registry value

[ Learn More ]

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • {random}.exe = "{all users' profiles}\Application Data\{random}.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
    • Use FormSuggest = "Yes"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • EnableAutoTray = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • NoFileFolderConnection = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • WarnOnZoneCrossing = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • WarnonBadCertRecving = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies
    • systemDisableTaskMgr = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • AdvancedTaskbarGlomLevel = "2"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft
    • AdvancedStart_ShowUser = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
    • Start_ShowControlPanel = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • AdvancedStart_ShowHelp = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • AdvancedStart_ShowMyComputer = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • AdvancedStart_ShowMyDocs = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • AdvancedStart_ShowMyMusic = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • AdvancedStart_ShowMyGames = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • AdvancedStart_ShowMyPics = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • AdvancedStart_ShowPrinters = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • AdvanceStart_ShowRun = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • AdvancedStart_ShowSearch = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • AdvancedStart_ShowSetProgramAccessAndDefaults = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • AdvancedStart_ShowNetConn = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • AdvancedStart_ShowNetPlaces = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • CertificateRevocation = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
    • ActiveDesktopHidNoChangingWallPaperden = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
    • AttachmentsSaveZoneInformation = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
    • SystemDisableTaskMgr = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
    • ExplorerNoDesktop = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate
    • UserRequestedUpdate = "0"

Step 6

Search and delete these files

[ Learn More ]
There may be some component files that are hidden. Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden files and folders in the search result.
  • {all users' profiles}\{random}.exe
  • {all users' profiles}\Application Data\{random}
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\System Check.lnk

Step 7

Search and delete this folder

[ Learn More ]
Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden folders in the search result.
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\System Check

Step 8

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_FAKESYSD.UI. 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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