TROJ_MAHATO.AP
Backdoor:Win32/Bifrose.gen!F (Microsoft); Trojan.Gen.2 (Symantec); Trojan.Win32.Mahato.dbt (Kaspersky); Trojan.Win32.Generic!BT (Sunbelt); Gen:Variant.Barys.351 (FSecure)
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
![](/vinfo/imgFiles/legend.jpg)
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.
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:
- %Windows%\localhosts.exe
(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows or C:\WINNT.)
It creates the following folders:
- %Windows%\ap0calypse_68AD0FD0
- %Windows%\ap0calypse_68AD0FD0\ServerLogs
- %Windows%\ap0calypse_68AD0FD0\ServerLogs\Wilbert
(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows or C:\WINNT.)
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
apocalyps32 = "%Windows%\localhosts.exe"
It modifies the following registry entries to ensure it automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
UserInit = "%System%\userinit.exe,%Windows%\localhosts.exe"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %Windows%\system32\userinit.exe,.)
Other System Modifications
This Trojan adds the following registry keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Control\MediaResources\msvideo
It adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Grup = "apocalypse"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Ad = "ap0calypse"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Sifre = "ap0calypse"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Delay = "10000"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Baglantilar = "hosang12.codns.com:2871;"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
MsgGoster = "0"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Buton = "0"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Icon = "0"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Bindir = "0"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Mutex = "apocalyps32"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Baslangic = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Anahtar = "apocalyps32"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
YuklenenDizin = "%Windows%"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
ProgramAdi = "localhosts.exe"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
ActiveX = "{DP4E1576-3A8V-7451-02D0-6YWPX5HU2V83}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Injecsiyon = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Persistent = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
UserMode = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
KernelMode = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
SafeMode = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Offline = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Melt = "0"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
OlderDate = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
DisableSafeMode = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Hidden = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
System = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
Archive = "1"
Dropping Routine
This Trojan drops the following files:
- htm.htm
- %Windows%\localhosts.exe
(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows or C:\WINNT.)
This report is generated via an automated analysis system.
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 delete files detected as TROJ_MAHATO.AP using either the Startup Disk or Recovery Console
Step 3
Delete this registry key
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
- apocalyps32
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\MediaResources
- msvideo
Step 4
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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- apocalyps32 = "%Windows%\localhosts.exe"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- Grup = "apocalypse"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- Ad = "ap0calypse"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- Sifre = "ap0calypse"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- Delay = "10000"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- Baglantilar = "hosang12.codns.com:2871;"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- MsgGoster = "0"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- Buton = "0"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- Icon = "0"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- Bindir = "0"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- Mutex = "apocalyps32"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- Baslangic = "1"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- Anahtar = "apocalyps32"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- YuklenenDizin = "%Windows%"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- ProgramAdi = "localhosts.exe"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- ActiveX = "{DP4E1576-3A8V-7451-02D0-6YWPX5HU2V83}"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- Injecsiyon = "1"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- Persistent = "1"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- UserMode = "1"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- KernelMode = "1"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- SafeMode = "1"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- Offline = "1"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- Melt = "0"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- OlderDate = "1"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- DisableSafeMode = "1"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- Hidden = "1"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- System = "1"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\apocalyps32
- Archive = "1"
Step 5
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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
- From: UserInit = "%System%\userinit.exe,%Windows%\localhosts.exe"
To: UserInit = ""%Windows%\system32\userinit.exe,""
- From: UserInit = "%System%\userinit.exe,%Windows%\localhosts.exe"
Step 6
Search and delete these files
- htm.htm
- %Windows%\localhosts.exe
Step 7
Search and delete these folders
- %Windows%\ap0calypse_68AD0FD0
- %Windows%\ap0calypse_68AD0FD0\ServerLogs
- %Windows%\ap0calypse_68AD0FD0\ServerLogs\Wilbert
Step 8
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_MAHATO.AP. 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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