TROJ_DROPPR.PIE

 Analysis by: Adrian Cofreros

 ALIASES:

PWS:Win32/OnLineGames.MY(Microsoft),Trojan.Win32.Patched.ox(Kaspersky),Dropped:Generic.Malware.P.84116CC4(Bit Defender)

 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:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • 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.

It deletes registry entries, causing some applications and programs to not function properly.

It deletes itself after execution.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

270,336 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

09 Oct 2013

Payload:

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 and executes the following files:

  • %System%\drivers\xpV3001.sys
  • %System%\drivers\420a0a1f.sys

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)

Autostart Technique

This Trojan registers its dropped component as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup. It does this by creating the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\neverdeath
DisplayName = "neverdeath"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\neverdeath
ErrorControl = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\neverdeath
ImagePath = "\??\%System%\drivers\xpV3001.sys"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\neverdeath
Start = "2"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\neverdeath
Type = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\neverdeath
Security = "{hex values}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\420a0a1f
DisplayName = "420a0a1f"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\420a0a1f
ErrorControl = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\420a0a1f
ImagePath = "\??\%System%\drivers\420a0a1f.sys"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\420a0a1f
Start = "2"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\420a0a1f
Type = "1"

Other System Modifications

This Trojan deletes the following files:

  • %System%\Drivers\EstRtw.sys
  • %System%\dia3.ini

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)

It adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\neverdeath

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\420a0a1f

It deletes the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
AhnLab V3Lite Tray Process = "{system value}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
ALYac = "{system value}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
AVP = "{system value}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\V3 Lite Service
ImagePath = "{system value}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\ALYac_UpdSrv
ImagePath = "{system value}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\ALYac_RTSrv
ImagePath = "{system value}"

Other Details

This Trojan deletes itself after execution.

NOTES:

It will terminate windows with the following string in its title:

  • AhnLab
  • III
  • Tray Application
  • V3 Lite
  • archeage
  • cabal2
  • lineage windows client
  • maplestory

It deletes the service registry for the following:

  • v3engine
  • ascrts_V3LITE30
  • ascrts_V3LITE{value}

It terminates the following processes:

  • NVCAGENT.NPC

It deletes values in the following registry key with the data contains the string “{%User Temp%}”:

  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

It creates a copy the following system files:

  • %System%\ws2help.dll
  • %System%\ws2helpXP.dll %System%\ws2help.dll
  • %System%\ws2help.dll.{random characters}.tmp
  • %System%\ws2help.dll
  • %System%\dllcache\ws2help.dll

It replaces the following system file(s):

  • %System%\ws2help.dll - detected as Mal_OLGM-42

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

10.334.01

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

11 Oct 2013

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

10.335.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

12 Oct 2013

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

Remove malware/grayware files dropped/downloaded by TROJ_DROPPR.PIE

     
    • Mal_OLGM-42

Step 3

Delete this registry key

[ 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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
    • neverdeath
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
    • 420a0a1f

Step 4

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.
  • %System%\drivers\xpV3001.sys
  • %System%\drivers\420a0a1f.sys

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_DROPPR.PIE. 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.

Step 6

Restore these deleted registry keys/values from backup

*Note: Only Microsoft-related keys/values will be restored. If the malware/grayware also deleted registry keys/values related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on your computer.

 
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • AhnLab V3Lite Tray Process = "{system value}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • ALYac = "{system value}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • AVP = "{system value}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\V3 Lite Service
    • ImagePath = "{system value}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ALYac_UpdSrv
    • ImagePath = "{system value}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ALYac_RTSrv
    • ImagePath = "{system value}"

Step 7

Restore this file from backup only Microsoft-related files will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted files related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on you computer again.

  • %System%\Drivers\EstRtw.sys
  • %System%\dia3.ini

NOTES:

If a file is detected as Mal_OLGM-42, rename any of the following files to %System%\ws2help.dll:

  • %System%\ws2helpXP.dll
  • %System%\ws2help.dll.{random characters}.tmp
  • %System%\dllcache\ws2help.dll


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