TROJ_TIBS.ARE
Rogue:Win32/Fakeinit (Microsoft); Trojan.FakeAV (Symantec); Trojan-Downloader.Win32.Fakeinit (v) (Sunbelt); Trojan.Generic.1824622 (FSecure)
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
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.
It disables Task Manager, Registry Editor, and Folder Options.
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:
- %System%\frmwrk32.exe
(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\System32 on Windows NT and 2000, or C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP and Server 2003.)
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
Framework Windows = "frmwrk32.exe"
Other System Modifications
This Trojan adds the following registry keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
ActiveDesktop
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
ActiveDesktop
It adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
ActiveDesktop
NoChangingWallpaper = "1"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
Explorer
NoSetActiveDesktop = "1"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
ActiveDesktop
NoChangingWallpaper = "1"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
Explorer
NoActiveDesktopChanges = "1"
It creates the following registry entry(ies) to disable Task Manager, Registry Tools and Folder Options:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
DisableTaskMgr = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
NoSetActiveDesktop = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
NoActiveDesktopChanges = "1"
Dropping Routine
This Trojan drops the following files:
- %User Temp%\~syst
- %System%\warning.gif
- %System%\frmwrk32.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.. %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\System32 on Windows NT and 2000, or C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP and Server 2003.)
Other Details
This Trojan connects to the following possibly malicious URL:
- http://{BLOCKED}notifyq.net/loads.php?code=0000464
- http://{BLOCKED}untc.com/cgi-bin/promo.pl?code=0000464
- http://{BLOCKED}notifyq.net/warning.gif
- http://{BLOCKED}notifyq.net/winlogon.htm
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
Restart in Safe Mode
Step 3
Enable Registry Editor, Task Manager, and Folder options
Step 4
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\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
- System
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
- ActiveDesktop
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
- Explorer
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
- ActiveDesktop
Step 5
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
- Framework Windows = "frmwrk32.exe"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop
- NoChangingWallpaper = "1"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer
- NoSetActiveDesktop = "1"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\ActiveDesktop
- NoChangingWallpaper = "1"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer
- NoActiveDesktopChanges = "1"
Step 6
Search and delete these files
- %User Temp%\~syst
- %System%\warning.gif
- %System%\frmwrk32.exe
Step 7
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TROJ_TIBS.ARE. 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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