Analysis by: Erika Bianca Mendoza
 Modified by: Michael Cabel
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This .PDF file poses as a harmless document that bore the titles "25th Annual Huntsville Post SAME Golf Tournament" and "Tibetan New Year". It specifically targets nuclear and energy sector companies.

To get a one-glance comprehensive view of the behavior of this Trojan, refer to the Threat Diagram shown below.

This Trojan takes advantage of the following software vulnerabilities to drop malicious files:

This Trojan arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users. It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 90,112 bytes
File Type: PDF
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 08 Nov 2010
Payload: Drops files

Arrival Details

This Trojan arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users.

It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

Installation

This Trojan drops and executes the following files:

  • %User Temp%\svchost.exe - detected by Trend Micro as BKDR_PROXY.ARX
  • %User Temp%\ctfmon.exe - detected by Trend Micro as TROJ_MECIV.A

Dropping Routine

This Trojan takes advantage of the following software vulnerabilities to drop malicious files:

Other Details

More information on this vulnerability can be found below:

NOTES:

The .PDF file disguises as a harmless document with the following titles:

  • 25th Annual Huntsville Post SAME Golf Tournament
  • Tibetan New Year

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 7.602.10
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 08 Nov 2010
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 7.603.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 09 Nov 2010

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

Remove malware files dropped/downloaded by TROJ_PIDIEF.SMZX

Step 3

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_PIDIEF.SMZX. 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.

Step 4

Download and apply these security patches Refrain from using these products until the appropriate patches have been installed. Trend Micro advises users to download critical patches upon release by vendors.


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