Downloader-AQV

Downloaders are designed to pull files from a remote website and execute the files that have been downloaded.

As it is trivial for the malware author to modify the Downloader to refer to a different website or web address, McAfee write detection routines for Downloaders which as a general rule do not include these strings in the detection routines.

This allows McAfee to write more generic detections for these threats and to proactively protect customers against future minor variants.

Therefore it is not possible to guarantee which website and/or port is being communicated with.

Also, as the website being communicated is normally controlled by the malware author, any files being downloaded can be remotely modified and the behaviour of these new binaries altered - possibly with every user infection.

Upon execution the sample evaluated copies itself to the system
and configures itself to load at system startup.

System Changes

File Added

• %WINDIR%\inet20041\services.exe
• %WINDIR%\system.ini ( 282 bytes ) 
• %WINDIR%\inet20021\services.exe

Registry

The following registry keys are written:

• hkey_current_user\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion
  \internet settings\zonemap\\proxybypass="1"
• hkey_current_user\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion
  \internet settings\zonemap\\intranetname="1"
• hkey_current_user\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion
  \internet settings\zonemap\\uncasintranet="1"
• hkey_current_user\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run
  \xp_system="%WINDIR%\inet20041\services.exe"
• hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run
  \xp_system="%WINDIR%\inet20041\services.exe"
• hkey_current_user\software\microsoft\windows nt\currentversion
  \windows\run="%WINDIR%\inet20041\services.exe"
• hkey_current_user\software\microsoft\windows nt\currentversion
  \windows\run="%WINDIR%\inet20021\services.exe"
• hkey_current_user\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run
  \xp_system="%WINDIR%\inet20021\services.exe"
• hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run
  \xp_system="%WINDIR%\inet20021\services.exe"

The applications creates the following network connection(s):

• services.exe server:traff-store.com port:80 
• res.exe server:traff-store.com port:80 
• bin4.exe server:traff-store.com port:80

N/A. Downloaders are not viruses, and as such do not themselves contain any method to replicate. However they may themselves be downloaded by other viruses and/or Trojans to be installed on the user's system.

Many of these additionally are mass spammed by the author to entice people into double-clicking on them.

Alternatively they may be installed by visiting a malicious web page (either by clicking on a link, or by the website hosting a scripted exploit which installs the Downloader onto the user's system with no user interaction.

All Windows Users:
Use current engine and DAT files for detection and removal.

Manual Removal Instructions

Delete the registry key(s) as mentioned above
Information on deleting registry keys

Restart the computer

Delete the files mentioned above

Additional Windows ME/XP removal considerations