Analysis by: adel

 PLATFORM:

Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Trojan has received attention from independent media sources and/or other security firms.

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

This Trojan may be downloaded by other malware/grayware/spyware from remote sites. It may be dropped by other malware.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 22,016 bytes
File Type: PE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 03 Nov 2009
Payload: Connects to URLs/Ips

Arrival Details

This Trojan may be downloaded by other malware/grayware/spyware from remote sites.

It may be dropped by other malware.

Installation

This Trojan drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %{UserTemp}%\setup.exe

It injects codes into the following process(es):

  • svchost.exe

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
MCAFEEIPS = %{UserTemp}%\setup.exe

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 8.900
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 6.602.01
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 03 Nov 2009
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 6.603.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 03 Nov 2009

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • MCAFEEIPS = %{User Temp}%\setup.exe

Step 4

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.
  • %{User Temp}%\runinfo.ex

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_SCAR.AGQX. 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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