Analysis by: Anthony Joe Melgarejo
ALIASES:

PWS:Win32/Fareit (Microsoft), Trojan.FakeAV (Symantec), Troj/FakeAV-GHC (Sophos), TR/PSW.Fareit.257 (Antivir), W32/FakeAV.GHC!tr (Fortinet), Virus.Win32.Cryptor (Ikarus), Win32/Injector.AAYF trojan (NOD32), Trj/Ransom.AB (Panda)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This spyware arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

It deletes the initially executed copy of itself.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 107,520 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 17 Dec 2012

Arrival Details

This spyware arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

Other System Modifications

This spyware adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR
HWID = "{random value}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR
Client Hash = "{random value}"

Dropping Routine

This spyware drops the following files:

  • %Current%\out.bin

Download Routine

This spyware accesses the following websites to download files:

  • http://{BLOCKED}n-node.com/1.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}n-node.com/6.exe

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • %User Temp%\{random numbers}.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.)

Other Details

This spyware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.137.237/gate.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.138.212/gate.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.139.225/gate.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.140.218/gate.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.141.214/gate.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.142.202/gate.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.143.189/gate.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.144.219/gate.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.145.215/gate.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.146.203/gate.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.147.203/gate.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.148.198/gate.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.149.202/gate.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}-cdn-node.com/gate.php

It deletes the initially executed copy of itself

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.300

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

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\WinRAR
    • HWID = "{random value}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR
    • Client Hash = "{random value}"

Step 3

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.
  • %Current%\out.bin
  • %User Temp%\{random numbers}.exe

Step 4

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TSPY_FAREIT.DCD. 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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