Analysis by: Sabrina Lei Sioting
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Worm

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This worm drops copies of itself into the affected system. It modifies registry entries to hide files with Hidden attributes.

It uses the SendMessageA API to close the applications when the windows title is similar to any of the strings in a specific list.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 237,568 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 11 Oct 2010

Installation

This worm drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %User Profile%\{computer name}1\winlogon.exe

(Note: %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.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %User Profile%\{computer name}1

(Note: %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 System Modifications

This worm adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Default_Search_URL = "http://www.{BLOCKED}aq.fm"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Default_Page_URL = "http://www.{BLOCKED}aq.fm"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
UACDisableNotify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
system
EnableLUA = "0"

It modifies the following registry entries to hide files with Hidden attributes:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Hidden = "2"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
HideFileExt = "3"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 0.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
ShowSuperHidden = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)

NOTES:
This worm uses the SendMessageA API to close the applications when the windows title is similar to any of the strings below:

  • Troya
  • error
  • hosts
  • AdSense
  • AdWords
  • seguri
  • gusano
  • actuali
  • anos un mensaje
  • aware
  • pajina
  • advanced
  • agnitum
  • restor
  • Caballo
  • Arovax
  • Sweeper
  • Destroy
  • Malware
  • blackice
  • centinel
  • command
  • deerfield
  • dvpinit
  • etrust
  • HijackThis
  • IniRem
  • inoculate
  • updat
  • intercheck
  • security
  • kerio
  • Memor
  • moosoft
  • murphy
  • nai_vs_stat
  • neowatch
  • outpost
  • pcinternet
  • pestpatrol
  • schscnt
  • secureup
  • Winspector
  • superdat
  • surfsecret
  • sygate
  • system
  • monitor
  • sistema
  • tcactive
  • running
  • trojan
  • troyan
  • TuneUp
  • Detective
  • WinPatrol
  • firewall
  • Trend
  • elimina
  • espia
  • cambiar
  • homepage
  • pagina
  • spiware
  • change
  • trollano
  • quitar
  • quito
  • kitar
  • bloquear
  • blokear
  • infec
  • borrar
  • restaurar
  • Kaspersky
  • Active
  • ZoneAlarm
  • F-Secure
  • Defender
  • BullGuard
  • Ashampoo
  • CyberScrub
  • Avast
  • F-Prot
  • McAfee
  • Panda
  • Norman
  • ArcaVir
  • Norton
  • Rising
  • DrWeb
  • Dr.Web
  • Cillin
  • VBA32
  • Sophos
  • matar
  • Zondex
  • Vexira
  • Comodo
  • Squared
  • Ikarus
  • ClamWin
  • Quick
  • Protector
  • Guard
  • Hunter
  • VirIT
  • E-Trust
  • Remover
  • Remove
  • Abacre
  • Filterbit
  • folder
  • carpeta

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 8.900
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 7.531.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 11 Oct 2010

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\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
    • Default_Search_URL = http://www.{BLOCKED}aq.fm
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
    • Default_Page_URL = http://www.{BLOCKED}aq.fm
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center
    • UACDisableNotify = 1
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system
    • EnableLUA = 0

Step 3

Restore this modified 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\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
    • From: Hidden = 2
      To: Hidden = 1
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
    • From: HideFileExt = 3
      To: HideFileExt = 0
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
    • From: ShowSuperHidden = 0
      To: ShowSuperHidden = 1

Step 4

Search and delete this folder

[ Learn More ]
Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden folders in the search result.
  • %User Profile%\{computer name}1

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as WORM_ESFURY.SMR. 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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