TROJ_STARTPA.AIX
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 creates the following folders:
- %User Temp%\eIntaller
- %User Temp%\eIntaller\B148BBD4F59A4f03B17593F2F843B6BA
- %User Profile%\Application Data\eSafe
- %User Profile%\eSafe\log
(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.)
Autostart Technique
This Trojan registers as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup by adding the following registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\EventLog\Application\
WsysSvc
Other System Modifications
This Trojan modifies the following file(s):
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Internet Explorer.lnk
(Note: %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu on Windows Vista and 7.)
It adds the following registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\dosearchesSoftware
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\dosearchesSoftware\
dosearcheshp
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\SearchScopes
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
dosearches Browser Protecter
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WsysControl
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\eSafeSecControl
It adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Default_Page_URL = "{random characters}"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\dosearchesSoftware\
dosearcheshp
oem = "slbnew"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing
NewTabPageShow = "1"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
dosearches Browser Protecter
DisplayName = "dosearches Browser Protecter"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
dosearches Browser Protecter
UninstallString = "{random characters}"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
dosearches Browser Protecter
DisplayIcon = "%User Profile%\Application Data\dosearches.exe"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
dosearches Browser Protecter
Publisher = "dosearches"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WsysControl
DisplayName = "Wsys Control 10.2.1.2652"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WsysControl
DisplayVersion = "10.2.1.2652"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WsysControl
publisher = "Wsys Co., Ltd."
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WsysControl
UninstallString = "%User Profile%\eSafe\eGdpSvc.exe -unsvc"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WsysControl
DisplayIcon = "%User Profile%\eSafe\eGdpSvc.exe"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\eSafeSecControl
sid = "eGdp"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\eSafeSecControl
channel = "eGdp"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\eSafeSecControl
pid = "eSafe"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\eSafeSecControl
ver = "10.2.1.2652"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\Eventlog\Application\
WsysSvc
EventMessageFile = "%User Profile%\eSafe\eGdpSvc.exe"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\Eventlog\Application\
WsysSvc
TypesSupported = "7"
It modifies the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Start Page = "{random characters}"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd={SUB_PRD}&clcid={SUB_CLSID}&pver={SUB_PVER}&ar=home.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Default_Page_URL = "{random characters}"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=msnhome.)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Start Page = "{random characters}"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=msnhome.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Search
CustomizeSearch = "{random characters}"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is http://ie.search.msn.com/{SUB_RFC1766}/srchasst/srchcust.htm.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Search
SearchAssistant = "{random characters}"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is http://ie.search.msn.com/{SUB_RFC1766}/srchasst/srchasst.htm.)
Dropping Routine
This Trojan drops the following files:
- %User Temp%\eIntaller\B148BBD4F59A4f03B17593F2F843B6BA\Config.ini
- %User Temp%\eIntaller\B148BBD4F59A4f03B17593F2F843B6BA\ep.zip
- %User Temp%\eIntaller\B148BBD4F59A4f03B17593F2F843B6BA\temp_000.exe
- %User Temp%\eIntaller\B148BBD4F59A4f03B17593F2F843B6BA\help.exe
- %User Temp%\eIntaller\B148BBD4F59A4f03B17593F2F843B6BA\help.exe.bk
- %User Temp%\eIntaller\B148BBD4F59A4f03B17593F2F843B6BA\eGdpSvc.exe
- %User Temp%\eIntaller\B148BBD4F59A4f03B17593F2F843B6BA\eGdpSvc.exe.bk
- %User Profile%\Quick Launch\Launch Internet Explorer Browser.lnk
- %User Profile%\eSafe\eGdpSvc.exe
- %User Profile%\Application Data\dosearches.exe
(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.)
Other Details
This Trojan connects to the following possibly malicious URL:
- http://dl.{BLOCKED}x.soft365.com/dl/get_tab
- http://dl.{BLOCKED}x.soft365.com/www.microsoft.com/help.exe
- http://dl.{BLOCKED}x.soft365.com/www.microsoft.com/eGdpSvc.exe
This report is generated via an automated analysis system.
SOLUTION
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
Restart in Safe Mode
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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\EventLog\Application
- WsysSvc
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
- dosearchesSoftware
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\dosearchesSoftware
- dosearcheshp
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer
- SearchScopes
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer
- TabbedBrowsing
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
- dosearches Browser Protecter
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
- WsysControl
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
- eSafeSecControl
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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
- Default_Page_URL = "{random characters}"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\dosearchesSoftware\dosearcheshp
- oem = "slbnew"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing
- NewTabPageShow = "1"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\dosearches Browser Protecter
- DisplayName = "dosearches Browser Protecter"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\dosearches Browser Protecter
- UninstallString = "{random characters}"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\dosearches Browser Protecter
- DisplayIcon = "%User Profile%\Application Data\dosearches.exe"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\dosearches Browser Protecter
- Publisher = "dosearches"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\WsysControl
- DisplayName = "Wsys Control 10.2.1.2652"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\WsysControl
- DisplayVersion = "10.2.1.2652"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\WsysControl
- publisher = "Wsys Co., Ltd."
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\WsysControl
- UninstallString = "%User Profile%\eSafe\eGdpSvc.exe -unsvc"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\WsysControl
- DisplayIcon = "%User Profile%\eSafe\eGdpSvc.exe"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\eSafeSecControl
- sid = "eGdp"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\eSafeSecControl
- channel = "eGdp"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\eSafeSecControl
- pid = "eSafe"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\eSafeSecControl
- ver = "10.2.1.2652"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\Eventlog\Application\WsysSvc
- EventMessageFile = "%User Profile%\eSafe\eGdpSvc.exe"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\Eventlog\Application\WsysSvc
- TypesSupported = "7"
Step 5
Restore these modified registry values
Important:Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this only if you know how to or you can seek your system administrator's help. You may also check out this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
- From: Start Page = "{random characters}"
To: Start Page = ""http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd={SUB_PRD}&clcid={SUB_CLSID}&pver={SUB_PVER}&ar=home""
- From: Start Page = "{random characters}"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
- From: Default_Page_URL = "{random characters}"
To: Default_Page_URL = ""http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=msnhome""
- From: Default_Page_URL = "{random characters}"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
- From: Start Page = "{random characters}"
To: Start Page = ""http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=msnhome""
- From: Start Page = "{random characters}"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search
- From: CustomizeSearch = "{random characters}"
To: CustomizeSearch = ""http://ie.search.msn.com/{SUB_RFC1766}/srchasst/srchcust.htm""
- From: CustomizeSearch = "{random characters}"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search
- From: SearchAssistant = "{random characters}"
To: SearchAssistant = ""http://ie.search.msn.com/{SUB_RFC1766}/srchasst/srchasst.htm""
- From: SearchAssistant = "{random characters}"
Step 6
Search and delete these components
- %User Temp%\eIntaller\B148BBD4F59A4f03B17593F2F843B6BA\Config.ini
- %User Temp%\eIntaller\B148BBD4F59A4f03B17593F2F843B6BA\ep.zip
- %User Temp%\eIntaller\B148BBD4F59A4f03B17593F2F843B6BA\temp_000.exe
- %User Temp%\eIntaller\B148BBD4F59A4f03B17593F2F843B6BA\help.exe
- %User Temp%\eIntaller\B148BBD4F59A4f03B17593F2F843B6BA\help.exe.bk
- %User Temp%\eIntaller\B148BBD4F59A4f03B17593F2F843B6BA\eGdpSvc.exe
- %User Temp%\eIntaller\B148BBD4F59A4f03B17593F2F843B6BA\eGdpSvc.exe.bk
- %User Profile%\Quick Launch\Launch Internet Explorer Browser.lnk
- %User Profile%\eSafe\eGdpSvc.exe
- %User Profile%\Application Data\dosearches.exe
Step 7
Search and delete these folders
- %User Temp%\eIntaller
- %User Temp%\eIntaller\B148BBD4F59A4f03B17593F2F843B6BA
- %User Profile%\Application Data\eSafe
- %User Profile%\eSafe\log
Step 8
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TROJ_STARTPA.AIX. 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 9
Restore deleted/modified files and/or registry entries from backup
*Note: Only Microsoft-related files/keys/values will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted registry keys/values related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on your computer.
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Internet Explorer.lnk
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