Arrival Details
This worm arrives via removable drives.
It 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 worm drops the following files:
- %System Root%\Google\GoogleUpdate.lnk
- %System Root%\Google\Windows Update.lnk
- {removable drive letter}:\Skypee\GoogleUpdate.lnk
- {removable drive letter}:\Skypee\Windows Update.lnk
(Note: %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.)
It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:
- %System Root%\Google\{malware filename}.exe
(Note: %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.)
It creates the following folders:
- %System Root%\Skypee
- %System Root%\Google
(Note: %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.)
Autostart Technique
This worm adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Windows Update = "%System Root%\Google\Windowsupdate.lnk"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Windows Update = "%System Root%\Google\Windowsupdate.lnk"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
JavaUpdate = "%System Root%\Google\GoogleUpdate.lnk"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
AdopeUpdate = "%System Root%\Google\GoogleUpdate.lnk"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
NewJavaInstall = "%System Root%\Google\{malware filename}.exe"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
AdopeFlash = "%System Root%\Google\{malware filename}.exe"
It drops the following file(s) in the Windows Common Startup folder to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
Other System Modifications
This worm modifies the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
ShowSuperHidden = "0"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {user-defined}.)
Propagation
This worm creates the following folders in all removable drives:
- {removable drive letter}:\Skypee
It drops the following copy of itself in all physical and removable drives:
- {removable drive letter}:\Skypee\{malware filename}.exe
Other Details
This worm connects to the following possibly malicious URL:
- http://cola.{BLOCKED}tp.com/
It accesses the following URL(s) to get the affected system's location:
- http://www.geoplugin.net/json.gp
NOTES:
This malware creates the following shortcut (.LNK) files in removable drives that points to its copy:
- Downloads
- Hot
- Movies
- My Games
- My Pictuers
- My Videos
- Skypee\Skypee.lnk
It also creates shortcut (.LNK) files using folder names as file names in folders in all drives.
It copies all files found in the current malware path to the created Skypee folder.
It deletes the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\lnkfile
IsShortcut = ""
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
Restart in Safe Mode
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To restart in Safe Mode:
• For Windows 2000 users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 when you see the Starting Windows bar at the bottom of the screen.
- Choose the Safe Mode option from the Windows Advanced Options menu then press Enter.
• For Windows XP users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 after the Power-On Self Test (POST) routine is done. If the Windows Advanced Options menu does not appear, try restarting then pressing F8 several times when the POST screen appears.
- Choose the Safe Mode option from the Windows Advanced Options menu then press Enter.
• For Windows Server 2003 users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 after Windows starts up. If the Windows Advanced Options menu does not appear, try restarting again and pressing F8 several times afterward.
- On the Windows Advanced Option menu, use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode then press Enter.
• For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 after the Power-On Self Test (POST) routine is done. If the Advanced Boot Options menu does not appear, try restarting and then pressing F8 several times after the POST screen is displayed.
- On the Advanced Boot Options menu, use the arrow keys to select the Safe Mode option, and then press Enter.
• For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users
- Access the Charms bar by moving your mouse pointer to the upper right corner of the screen.
- Move your mouse pointer down and click Settings>Change your PC Settings.
- In the left panel, click General.
- In the right panel, scroll down to the bottom to find the Advanced startup section, then click the Restart now button and wait for the system to restart.
- In the Advanced Startup menu, click Troubleshoot>Advanced Options>Startup Settings>Restart and wait for the system to restart.
- In the Startup Settings menu, press 4 to enable safe mode.
Step 3
Restore this modified registry value
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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: ShowSuperHidden = "0"
To: ShowSuperHidden = "{user-defined}"
To restore the registry value this malware/grayware modified:
- Open Registry Editor.
» For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 users, click Start>Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter.
» For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users, click the Start button, type regedit in the Search input field then press Enter.
» For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter. - In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Explorer>Advanced - In the right panel, locate the registry value:
ShowSuperHidden = "0" - Right-click on the value name and choose Modify. Change the value data of this entry to:
ShowSuperHidden = "{user-defined}" - Close Registry Editor.
Step 4
Delete this registry value
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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\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- Windows Update = "%System Root%\Google\Windowsupdate.lnk"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- Windows Update = "%System Root%\Google\Windowsupdate.lnk"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- JavaUpdate = "%System Root%\Google\GoogleUpdate.lnk"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- AdopeUpdate = "%System Root%\Google\GoogleUpdate.lnk"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- NewJavaInstall = "%System Root%\Google\{malware filename}.exe"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- AdopeFlash = "%System Root%\Google\{malware filename}.exe"
To delete the registry value this malware created:
- Open Registry Editor. To do this:
» For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 users, click Start>Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter.
» For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users, click the Start button, type regedit in the Search input field then press Enter.
» For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter. - In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>Software>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Run - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
Windows Update = "%System Root%\Google\Windowsupdate.lnk" - In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Run - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
Windows Update = "%System Root%\Google\Windowsupdate.lnk" - Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
JavaUpdate = "%System Root%\Google\GoogleUpdate.lnk" - Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
AdopeUpdate = "%System Root%\Google\GoogleUpdate.lnk" - Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
NewJavaInstall = "%System Root%\Google\{malware filename}.exe" - Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
AdopeFlash = "%System Root%\Google\{malware filename}.exe" - Close Registry Editor.
Step 5
Restore this deleted registry key/value 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\Classes\lnkfile
Step 6
Search and delete these folders
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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.
- %System Root%\Skypee
- %System Root%\Google
- {removable drive letter}:\Skypee
To delete malware/grayware/spyware folders:
For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:
- Right-click Start then click Search... or Find..., depending on the version of Windows you are running.
- In the File name* input box, type:
- %System Root%\Skypee
- %System Root%\Google
- {removable drive letter}:\Skypee
- In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer, then press Enter.
- Once located, select the folder then press SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the folder.
- Repeat steps 2 to 4 for the remaining folders:
- %System Root%\Skypee
- %System Root%\Google
- {removable drive letter}:\Skypee
*Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).
For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:
- Open a Windows Explorer window.
- For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
- For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, then click File Explorer.
- In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
- %System Root%\Skypee
- %System Root%\Google
- {removable drive letter}:\Skypee
- Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the folder.
- Repeat steps 2-3 for the remaining folders:
- %System Root%\Skypee
- %System Root%\Google
- {removable drive letter}:\Skypee
*Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.
Step 7
Search and delete this file
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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.
- {removable drive letter}:\Downloads.lnk
- {removable drive letter}:\Hot.lnk
- {removable drive letter}:\Movies.lnk
- {removable drive letter}:\My Games.lnk
- {removable drive letter}:\My Pictuers.lnk
- {removable drive letter}:\My Videos.lnk
- {removable drive letter}:\Skypee\Skypee.lnk
To manually delete a malware/grayware file from an affected system:
• For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:
- Right-click Start then click Search....
- In the File name* input box, type the following:
- {removable drive letter}:\Downloads.lnk
- {removable drive letter}:\Hot.lnk
- {removable drive letter}:\Movies.lnk
- {removable drive letter}:\My Games.lnk
- {removable drive letter}:\My Pictuers.lnk
- {removable drive letter}:\My Videos.lnk
- {removable drive letter}:\Skypee\Skypee.lnk
- In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer then press Enter.
- Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
*Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).
• For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:
- Open a Windows Explorer window.
- For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
- For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, then click File Explorer.
- In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
- {removable drive letter}:\Downloads.lnk
- {removable drive letter}:\Hot.lnk
- {removable drive letter}:\Movies.lnk
- {removable drive letter}:\My Games.lnk
- {removable drive letter}:\My Pictuers.lnk
- {removable drive letter}:\My Videos.lnk
- {removable drive letter}:\Skypee\Skypee.lnk
- Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
*Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.
Step 8
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as WORM_IPPEDO.EO. 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.
