Overview
This is a trojan detection. Unlike viruses, trojans do not self-replicate. They are spread manually, often under the premise that they are beneficial or wanted. The most common installation methods involve system or security exploitation, and unsuspecting users manually executing unknown programs. Distribution channels include email, malicious or hacked web pages, Internet Relay Chat (IRC), peer-to-peer networks, etc.
This detection specificaly deals with the Backdoor-EMN related to the Internet Explorer 0day described at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/981374.mspx
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Minimum DAT
5916 (2010-03-10) Updated DAT5917 (2010-03-11) |
Minimum Engine
5.4.00 File Lengthvarious |
Description Added
2010-03-09 Description Modified2010-03-09 |
Malware Proliferation
Characteristics
This backdoor is related to the newly discovered Internet Explorer 0-day, according to the CVE-2010-0806 and Microsoft security advisory: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/981374.mspx
When run, the malware will create copy itself to:
- C:\Documents and Settings\<USERNAME>\Local Settings\Temp\note.exe
- C:\Documents and Settings\<USERNAME>\Local Settings\Temp\clipsvc.exe
- C:\Documents and Settings\<USERNAME>\Local Settings\Temp\wshipl.dll
And create a registry key to ensure that it will run when the system restarts:
- Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\note: "C:\Documents and Settings\<USERNAME>\Local Settings\Temp\note.exe -installkys"
Symptoms
- Presence of the files mentioned above
- Unexplained activity on the victim's machine indicative of someone having remote access via the client component
- Network connection to remote host notes.topix21century.com
Method of Infection
- This trojan infects a machine after the exploitation of the Internet Explorer vulnerability described at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/981374.mspx
Also, as a general rule:
- Trojans do not self-replicate. They spread manually, often under the premise that the executable is something beneficial.
- Trojans may also be received as a result of poor security practices, or un-patched machines and vulnerable systems.
- Distribution channels include IRC, peer-to-peer networks, email, newsgroups postings, etc.
Removal
All Users:
Use current engine and DAT files for detection and removal.
Modifications made to the system Registry and/or INI files for the purposes of hooking system startup, will be successfully removed if cleaning with the recommended engine and DAT combination (or higher).
Variants