TROJ_FAKEAV.ZDF

 Analysis by: MarfelTi

 ALIASES:

Symantec: Trojan.FakeAV; Microsoft: Rogue:Win32/FakePSP; Kaspersky: Trojan.Win32.FakeAV.dtex; Mcafee: Generic FakeAlert.cl

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • 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 poses as an antispyware application that uses pop-up messages displayed on the System Tray to make users think that their systems are infected. This tricks users to purchase the complete version of the said application. It poses as an antispyware application that displays deceptive warnings and misleading scan results. It may also add other applications which it detects upon its installation. It displays fake alerts that warn users of infection. It also displays fake scanning results of the affected system. It then asks for users to purchase it once scanning is completed. If users decide to purchase the rogue product, users are directed to a certain website asking for sensitive information, such as credit card numbers.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

902,656 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

28 Jun 2011

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 copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random name}.pspro

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

Autostart Technique

This Trojan adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{random name}.pspro = "%System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random name}.pspro --run"

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.pspro

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
PSP

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.pspro
@ = "exefile"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.pspro
Content Type = "application/x-msdownload"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
PSP\shell\open\
command
@ = ""%System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\58AqlP8C8B2.pspro" --startexe "%1""

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
PSP\DefaultIcon
@ = "%1"

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe
@ = "PSP"

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.exe
@ = "PSP"

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

Rogue Antivirus Routine

This Trojan poses as an antispyware application that uses pop-up messages on the System Tray to make users think that their systems are infected. This tricks users to purchase the complete version of the said application.

It poses as an antispyware application that displays deceptive warnings and misleading scan results. It may also add other applications which it detects upon its installation.

It displays fake alerts that warn users of infection. It also displays fake scanning results of the affected system. It then asks for users to purchase it once scanning is completed. If users decide to purchase the rogue product, users are directed to a certain website asking for sensitive information, such as credit card numbers.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

8.900

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

Identify and terminate files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.ZDF

[ Learn More ]
  1. If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  2. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

Step 3

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\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • {random name}.pspro = "%System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{random name}.pspro --run"

Step 4

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\SOFTWARE\Classes\
    • .pspro

Step 5

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\.exe
    • From: @ = "exefile"
      To: "PSP"

  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe
    • From: @ = "exefile"
      To: "PSP"

Step 6

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.ZDF. 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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