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%\RECYCLER\wpnedit.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:
(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)
It stays memory-resident by creating remote threads:
Autostart Technique
This Trojan adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Taskman = "%System Root%\RECYCLER\wpnedit.exe"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Window Remote Managements = "%System Root%\RECYCLER\wpnedit.exe"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Shell = "explorer.exe, %System Root%\RECYCLER\wpnedit.exe"
Dropping Routine
This Trojan drops the following files:
- %System Root%\RECYCLER\Desktop.ini
(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)
NOTES:
This Trojan sets the file attributes of the dropped copy %System Root%\RECYCLER\wpnedit.exe to Read only, Hidden, and System.
It attempts to establish a connection to the following remote server:
The remote server may send data containing IP addresses to TROJ_LETHIC.EW. Then, TROJ_LETHIC.EW may send traffic to these IP addresses. However, as of this writing, the said site is inaccessible.
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 delete files detected as TROJ_LETHIC.EW using either the Startup Disk or Recovery Console
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To identify and delete the malware/grayware file:
• On Windows XP and Server 2003 systems:
- Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and then take note of the names of the malware/grayware files detected.
- Click Start>Run. In the Open input box, type secpol.msc and press Enter.
- In the left panel, double-click Local Policies>Security Options.
- In the right panel, double-click Recovery Console: Allow floppy copy and access to all drives and folders.
- Select Enabled and click OK.
- Insert the Windows Installation CD into the CD drive, then restart your computer.
- When prompted, press any key to boot from the CD.
- On the main menu, type r to go to the Recovery Console.
- Type the number that corresponds to the drive and directory that contains Windows (usually C:\WINDOWS) and press Enter.
- Type the Administrator password and press Enter.
- In the input box, type the following then press Enter:
SET AllowAllPaths = TRUE
del "{malware/grayware path and file name}" - Type exit and press Enter to restart the system normally.
• On Windows Vista and 7 systems:
- Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and then take note of the names of the malware/grayware files detected.
- Insert your Windows Installation DVD in the DVD drive, then Press the restart button.
- When prompted, press any key to boot from the CD.
- Depending on your Windows Installation DVD, you might be required to select the installation language. Then on the Install Windows window, choose your language, locale, and keyboard layout or input method. Click Next, then click Repair your computer.
- Select Use recovery tools that can help fix problems starting Windows. Select your installation of Windows. Click Next.
- If the Startup Repair window appears, click Cancel, Yes, then Finish.
- In the System Recovery Options window, click Command Prompt.
- In the Command Prompt window, type the following then press Enter:
BootRec.exe /fixmbr
del "{malware/grayware path and file name}" - Type exit and press Enter to close the Command Prompt window.
- Click Restart to restart the system normally.
Step 3
Delete this registry value
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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 NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
- Taskman = %System Root%\RECYCLER\wpnedit.exe
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- Window Remote Managements = %System Root%\RECYCLER\wpnedit.exe
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
- Shell = explorer.exe,%System Root%\RECYCLER\wpnedit.exe
To delete the registry value this malware/grayware created:
- Open Registry Editor. Click Start>Run, type REGEDIT, then press Enter.
- In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows NT>CurrentVersion>Winlogon - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
Taskman = %System Root%\RECYCLER\wpnedit.exe - In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Run - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
Window Remote Managements = %System Root%\RECYCLER\wpnedit.exe - In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft>Windows NT>CurrentVersion>Winlogon - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
Shell = explorer.exe,%System Root%\RECYCLER\wpnedit.exe - Close Registry Editor.
Step 4
Search and delete this folder
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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.
To delete the malware/grayware folder:
- Right-click Start then click Search... or Find..., depending on the version of Windows you are running.
- In the Named input box, type:
- In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer, then press Enter.
- Once located, select the folder then press SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the folder.
Step 5
Search and delete this file
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There may be some 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.
- %System Root%\RECYCLER\Desktop.ini
To manually delete a malware/grayware file from an affected system:
• For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:
- Right-click Start then click Search....
- In the left panel, click All Files.
- In the Named input box, type the following:
- %System Root%\RECYCLER\Desktop.ini
- In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer then press Enter.
- Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
• For Windows Vista and Windows 7 users:
- Click Start>Computer.
- In the Search input box, type the following:
- %System Root%\RECYCLER\Desktop.ini
- Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
*Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.
Step 6
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_LETHIC.EW. 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.
