TROJ_VCARED.KS
Trojan:Win32/Vcaredrix.A (Microsoft), PAK:ASPack (Kaspersky), Trojan Horse (Symantec), Generic.dx!bfb4 (NAI), Troj/Scar-BS (Sophos), Trojan.Generic.KDV.673369 (FSecure), Trojan.Win32.Scar.ba (v) (Sunbelt), TR/Vcaredrix.A.3 (Antivir), Trojan.Generic.KDV.673369 (Bitdefender), PUA.Win32.Packer.Asprotect-2 (Clamav), W32/Scar.BS!tr (Fortinet), Trojan.Win32.Vcaredrix (Ikarus), Win32/Vcaredrix.A trojan (NOD32), Generic (Panda)
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
Threat Type: Trojan
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: Yes
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 creates folders where it drops its files. It is injected into all running processes to remain memory resident.
It deletes the initially executed copy of itself.
It receives commands from a server that may be controlled by a bot or a malicious user.
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 a copy of itself in the following folders using different file names:
- %User Profile%\Application Data\xsecva\xsecva.exe
(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name} on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name} on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)
It creates the following folders:
- %User Profile%\Application Data\xsecva
(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name} on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name} on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)
It is injected into all running processes to remain memory resident.
It terminates the execution of the copy it initially executed and executes the copy it drops instead.
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
XSECVA = %User Profile%\Application Data\xsecva\xsecva.exe -s
Adware Routine
This Trojan connects to the following URL(s) to display ads on the affected system:
- http://{BLOCKED}v.{BLOCKED}l.com/
- http://{BLOCKED}d.{BLOCKED}raffic.com/feed.php
- http://{BLOCKED}y.{BLOCKED}rdr.com/
Information Theft
This Trojan gathers the following data:
- User's IP address
- Current Country
- Inputted Keywords
- Accessed URLs
Other Details
Internet activities are monitored by a malicious user.
It deletes the initially executed copy of itself
Denial of Service
This Trojan receives commands from a server that may be controlled by a bot or a malicious user.
NOTES:
This Trojan connects from the server http://{BLOCKED}a.net/, which may be controlled by a bot or a malicious user.
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
Search and delete these folders
- %User Profile%\Application Data\xsecva
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
- XSECVA = "%User Profile%\Application Data\xsecva\xsecva.exe -s"
- XSECVA = "%User Profile%\Application Data\xsecva\xsecva.exe -s"
Step 5
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TROJ_VCARED.KS. 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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