Trojan.Ecure

SUMMARY

Trojan.Ecure is a Trojan horse that modifies the Hosts file and Internet Explorer home page.

Note: Virus definitions dated June 28th, 2004 or earlier may detect this as Trojan Horse.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) June 30, 2004
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) June 29, 2004

Threat Assessment

Wild

• Wild Level: Low
• Number of Infections: 0 - 49
• Number of Sites: 0 - 2
• Geographical Distribution: Low
• Threat Containment: Easy
• Removal: Easy

Damage

• Damage Level: Low
• Modifies Files: Modifies the Windows Hosts file.

Distribution

• Distribution Level: Low

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When Trojan.Ecure is executed, it performs the following actions:

1. Creates the file, %Windir%secure.html.
   
   Note: %Windir% is a variable. The Trojan locates the Windows installation folder (by default, this is C:Windows or C:Winnt) and copies itself to that location.
   
   
2. Modifies the values:
   
   "Local Page"="%Windir%secure.html"
   "Start Page"="%Windir%secure.html"
   "Default_Page_URL"="%Windir%secure.html"
   
   in the registry keys:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain
   
   
3. Adds the following entries to the Hosts file:
   
   127.0.0.1 ruworld.com
   127.0.0.1 maxxxhosters.com
   127.0.0.1 therealsearch.com
   127.0.0.1 thumbest-traffic.com
   127.0.0.1 600pics.com
   127.0.0.1 tonser.4-counter.com
   127.0.0.1 free.sinpussy.com
   127.0.0.1 hightcalldialer.com
   127.0.0.1 bestpornnews.com
   127.0.0.1 thumberland.com
   127.0.0.1 greg-search.com
   127.0.0.1 connect.online-dialer.com
   127.0.0.1 0190-dialer.com
   127.0.0.1 approvedlinks.com
   127.0.0.1 install.xxxtoolbar.com
   127.0.0.1 download.buxomatic.com
   127.0.0.1 dia.4-counter.com
   127.0.0.1 vse-moe.biz
   127.0.0.1 crue.global-counter.com
   127.0.0.1 line-plus.com
   127.0.0.1 porno-links.biz
   127.0.0.1 download.tntdialer.com
   127.0.0.1 freelivesex.org
   127.0.0.1 free3xmatures.com
   127.0.0.1 bestpics.net
   127.0.0.1 dikai.com
   127.0.0.1 world-search.biz
   127.0.0.1 1-se.com
   127.0.0.1 58q.com
   127.0.0.1 aifind.cc
   127.0.0.1 aifind.info
   127.0.0.1 allneedsearch.com
   127.0.0.1 auto.ie.searchforge.com
   127.0.0.1 awebfind.biz
   127.0.0.1 best.royalsearch.net
   127.0.0.1 cracks.am
   127.0.0.1 default-homepage-network.com
   127.0.0.1 find.microgirls.com
   127.0.0.1 find4u.net
   127.0.0.1 freshvideogals.com
   127.0.0.1 i-lookup.com
   127.0.0.1 ie-search.com
   127.0.0.1 in.webcounter.cc
   127.0.0.1 itseasy.us
   127.0.0.1 just.find-itnow.com
   127.0.0.1 link.startmake.com
   127.0.0.1 mysearchnow.com
   127.0.0.1 nativehardcore.com
   127.0.0.1 qwertysearch123.biz
   127.0.0.1 search.ieplugin.com
   127.0.0.1 search.psn.cn
   127.0.0.1 searchbar.findthewebsiteyouneed.com
   127.0.0.1 searchcentrix.com
   127.0.0.1 searchmyrequest.com
   127.0.0.1 super-spider.com
   127.0.0.1 t.rack.cc
   127.0.0.1 teen-biz.com
   127.0.0.1 teenhqpics.com
   127.0.0.1 tits.hardcore4ever.net
   127.0.0.1 webcoolsearch.com
   127.0.0.1 wmmse.com
   127.0.0.1 008i.com
   127.0.0.1 2fastsearch.net
   127.0.0.1 8095.com
   127.0.0.1 alfa-search.com
   127.0.0.1 boredlife.com
   127.0.0.1 couldnotfind.com
   127.0.0.1 cracks.am
   127.0.0.1 daum.net
   127.0.0.1 dreamwiz.com
   127.0.0.1 find-itnow.com
   127.0.0.1 find4u.net
   127.0.0.1 firstbookmark.com
   127.0.0.1 gajai.com
   127.0.0.1 hand-book.com
   127.0.0.1 hao123.com
   127.0.0.1 hotsearchbox.com
   127.0.0.1 hotwebsearch.com
   127.0.0.1 hugesearch.net
   127.0.0.1 iquicksearch.com
   127.0.0.1 lookfor.cc
   127.0.0.1 naver.com
   127.0.0.1 nkvd.us
   127.0.0.1 novafuck.com
   127.0.0.1 ohcorea.com
   127.0.0.1 omega-search.com
   127.0.0.1 onet.pl
   127.0.0.1 power-search.info
   127.0.0.1 rightfinder.net
   127.0.0.1 search-1.net
   127.0.0.1 search-and-go.com
   127.0.0.1 search-dot.com
   127.0.0.1 search-space.com
   127.0.0.1 searchforge.com
   127.0.0.1 searching-the-net.com
   127.0.0.1 searchv.com
   127.0.0.1 searchxl.com
   127.0.0.1 seznam.cz
   127.0.0.1 slotch.com
   127.0.0.1 spidersearch.com
   127.0.0.1 startium.com
   127.0.0.1 ttjj.com
   127.0.0.1 viewpornkey.com
   127.0.0.1 wazzupnet.com
   127.0.0.1 websearch.com
   127.0.0.1 windowws.cc
   127.0.0.1 xgmm.com
   127.0.0.1 xwebsearch.biz
   127.0.0.1 yourbookmarks.ws
   127.0.0.1 collections.inhost.info
   127.0.0.1 collections.inhost2.info
   127.0.0.1 www.ruworld.com
   127.0.0.1 www.maxxxhosters.com
   127.0.0.1 www.therealsearch.com
   127.0.0.1 www.thumbest-traffic.com
   127.0.0.1 www.600pics.com
   127.0.0.1 www.hightcalldialer.com
   127.0.0.1 www.bestpornnews.com
   127.0.0.1 www.thumberland.com
   127.0.0.1 www.greg-search.com
   127.0.0.1 www.0190-dialer.com
   127.0.0.1 www.approvedlinks.com
   127.0.0.1 www.vse-moe.biz
   127.0.0.1 www.line-plus.com
   127.0.0.1 www.porno-links.biz
   127.0.0.1 www.freelivesex.org
   127.0.0.1 www.free3xmatures.com
   127.0.0.1 www.bestpics.net
   127.0.0.1 www.dikai.com
   127.0.0.1 www.world-search.biz
   127.0.0.1 www.1-se.com
   127.0.0.1 www.58q.com
   127.0.0.1 www.aifind.cc
   127.0.0.1 www.aifind.info
   127.0.0.1 www.allneedsearch.com
   127.0.0.1 www.awebfind.biz
   127.0.0.1 www.cracks.am
   127.0.0.1 www.default-homepage-network.com
   127.0.0.1 www.find4u.net
   127.0.0.1 www.freshvideogals.com
   127.0.0.1 www.i-lookup.com
   127.0.0.1 www.ie-search.com
   127.0.0.1 www.itseasy.us
   127.0.0.1 www.mysearchnow.com
   127.0.0.1 www.nativehardcore.com
   127.0.0.1 www.qwertysearch123.biz
   127.0.0.1 www.searchcentrix.com
   127.0.0.1 www.searchmyrequest.com
   127.0.0.1 www.super-spider.com
   127.0.0.1 www.teen-biz.com
   127.0.0.1 www.teenhqpics.com
   127.0.0.1 www.webcoolsearch.com
   127.0.0.1 www.wmmse.com
   127.0.0.1 www.008i.com
   127.0.0.1 www.2fastsearch.net
   127.0.0.1 www.8095.com
   127.0.0.1 www.alfa-search.com
   127.0.0.1 www.boredlife.com
   127.0.0.1 www.couldnotfind.com
   127.0.0.1 www.cracks.am
   127.0.0.1 www.daum.net
   127.0.0.1 www.dreamwiz.com
   127.0.0.1 www.find-itnow.com
   127.0.0.1 www.find4u.net
   127.0.0.1 www.firstbookmark.com
   127.0.0.1 www.gajai.com
   127.0.0.1 www.hand-book.com
   127.0.0.1 www.hao123.com
   127.0.0.1 www.hotsearchbox.com
   127.0.0.1 www.hotwebsearch.com
   127.0.0.1 www.hugesearch.net
   127.0.0.1 www.iquicksearch.com
   127.0.0.1 www.lookfor.cc
   127.0.0.1 www.naver.com
   127.0.0.1 www.nkvd.us
   127.0.0.1 www.novafuck.com
   127.0.0.1 www.ohcorea.com
   127.0.0.1 www.omega-search.com
   127.0.0.1 www.onet.pl
   127.0.0.1 www.power-search.info
   127.0.0.1 www.rightfinder.net
   127.0.0.1 www.search-1.net
   127.0.0.1 www.search-and-go.com
   127.0.0.1 www.search-dot.com
   127.0.0.1 www.search-space.com
   127.0.0.1 www.searchforge.com
   127.0.0.1 www.searching-the-net.com
   127.0.0.1 www.searchv.com
   127.0.0.1 www.searchxl.com
   127.0.0.1 www.seznam.cz
   127.0.0.1 www.slotch.com
   127.0.0.1 www.spidersearch.com
   127.0.0.1 www.startium.com
   127.0.0.1 www.ttjj.com
   127.0.0.1 www.viewpornkey.com
   127.0.0.1 www.wazzupnet.com
   127.0.0.1 www.websearch.com
   127.0.0.1 www.windowws.cc
   127.0.0.1 www.xgmm.com
   127.0.0.1 www.xwebsearch.biz
   127.0.0.1 www.yourbookmarks.ws
   
   so that these URLs are redirected to %Windir%secure.html.
   
   
4. Deletes the following registry keys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunControlPanel
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunKey2
   
   
5. Attempts to stop the following processes:
   
   • ATUPDATER.EXE
   • AUPDATE.EXE
   • AUTODOWN.EXE
   • AUTOTRACE.EXE
   • AUTOUPDATE.EXE
   • AVPUPD.EXE
   • AVWUPD32.EXE
   • AVXQUAR.EXE
   • CFIAUDIT.EXE
   • DRWEBUPW.EXE
   • ICSSUPPNT.EXE
   • ICSUPP95.EXE
   • LUALL.EXE
   • MCUPDATE.EXE
   • NUPGRADE.EXE
   • UPDATE.EXE

Recommendations

Symantec Security Response encourages all users and administrators to adhere to the following basic security "best practices":

• Turn off and remove unneeded services. By default, many operating systems install auxiliary services that are not critical, such as an FTP server, telnet, and a Web server. These services are avenues of attack. If they are removed, blended threats have less avenues of attack and you have fewer services to maintain through patch updates.
• If a blended threat exploits one or more network services, disable, or block access to, those services until a patch is applied.
• Always keep your patch levels up-to-date, especially on computers that host public services and are accessible through the firewall, such as HTTP, FTP, mail, and DNS services (for example, all Windows-based computers should have the current Service Pack installed.). Additionally, please apply any security updates that are mentioned in this writeup, in trusted Security Bulletins, or on vendor Web sites.
• Enforce a password policy. Complex passwords make it difficult to crack password files on compromised computers. This helps to prevent or limit damage when a computer is compromised.
• Configure your email server to block or remove email that contains file attachments that are commonly used to spread viruses, such as .vbs, .bat, .exe, .pif and .scr files.
• Isolate infected computers quickly to prevent further compromising your organization. Perform a forensic analysis and restore the computers using trusted media.
• Train employees not to open attachments unless they are expecting them. Also, do not execute software that is downloaded from the Internet unless it has been scanned for viruses. Simply visiting a compromised Web site can cause infection if certain browser vulnerabilities are not patched.

REMOVAL

The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.

1. Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
2. Update the virus definitions.
3. Restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode.
4. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Trojan.Ecure.
5. Reset the Internet Explorer home page.
6. Delete the added lines from the Windows Hosts file.
   

For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. To disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP)
If you are running Windows Me or Windows XP, we recommend that you temporarily turn off System Restore. Windows Me/XP uses this feature, which is enabled by default, to restore the files on your computer in case they become damaged. If a virus, worm, or Trojan infects a computer, System Restore may back up the virus, worm, or Trojan on the computer.

Windows prevents outside programs, including antivirus programs, from modifying System Restore. Therefore, antivirus programs or tools cannot remove threats in the System Restore folder. As a result, System Restore has the potential of restoring an infected file on your computer, even after you have cleaned the infected files from all the other locations.

Also, a virus scan may detect a threat in the System Restore folder even though you have removed the threat.

For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows documentation, or one of the following articles:

• "How to disable or enable Windows Me System Restore"
• "How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore"

Note: When you are completely finished with the removal procedure and are satisfied that the threat has been removed, re-enable System Restore by following the instructions in the aforementioned documents.


For additional information, and an alternative to disabling Windows Me System Restore, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article, "Antivirus Tools Cannot Clean Infected Files in the _Restore Folder," Article ID: Q263455.

2. To update the virus definitions
Symantec Security Response fully tests all the virus definitions for quality assurance before they are posted to our servers. There are two ways to obtain the most recent virus definitions:

• Running LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions: These virus definitions are posted to the LiveUpdate servers once each week (usually on Wednesdays), unless there is a major virus outbreak. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by LiveUpdate, refer to the Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate).
• Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted on U.S. business days (Monday through Friday). You should download the definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site and manually install them. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, refer to the Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater).
  
  The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are available: Read "How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater" for detailed instructions.

3. To restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode
Shut down the computer and turn off the power. Wait for at least 30 seconds, and then restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode.

• For Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, or XP users, restart the computer in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document, "How to start the computer in Safe Mode."
• For Windows NT 4 users, restart the computer in VGA mode.

4. To scan for and delete the infected files

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
   • For Norton AntiVirus consumer products: Read the document, "How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files."
   • For Symantec AntiVirus Enterprise products: Read the document, "How to verify that a Symantec Corporate antivirus product is set to scan all files."
2. Run a full system scan.
3. If any files are detected as infected with Trojan.Ecure, click Delete.
   

Note: If your Symantec antivirus product reports that it cannot delete an infected file, Windows may be using the file. To fix this, run the scan in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document, "How to start the computer in Safe Mode." Once you have restarted in Safe mode, run the scan again.

(After the files are deleted, you can leave the computer in Safe mode and proceed with section 4. When that is done, restart the computer in Normal mode.)

5. To reset the Internet Explorer home page

1. Start Microsoft Internet Explorer.
2. Connect to the Internet, and then go to the page that you want to set as your home page.
3. Click Tools > Internet Options.
4. In the Home page section of the General tab, click Use Current > OK.

For additional information, or if this procedure does not work, read the Microsoft® Knowledge Base article, "Home Page Setting Changes Unexpectedly, or You Cannot Change Your Home Page Setting, Article ID 320159."

6. To delete the added lines from the Windows Hosts file

Note: The location of the Hosts file may vary and some computers may not have this file. For example, if the file exists in Windows 98, it will usually be in C:Windows; and it is located in the C:WINNTsystem32driversetc folder in Windows 2000. There may also be multiple copies of this file in different locations.


Follow the instructions for your operating system:

• Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000
  1. Click Start, point to Find or Search, and then click Files or Folders.
  2. Make sure that "Look in" is set to (C:) and that "Include subfolders" is checked.
  3. In the "Named" or "Search for..." box, type:
     
     hosts
     
     
  4. Click Find Now or Search Now.
  5. For each Hosts file that you find, right-click the file, and then click Open With.
  6. Deselect the "Always use this program to open this program" check box.
  7. Scroll through the list of programs and double-click Notepad.
  8. When the file opens, delete all the entries in the Hosts file, except for the following line:
     
     127.0.0.1     localhost
     
     
  9. Close Notepad and save your changes when prompted.
     
     
• Windows XP
  1. Click Start > Search.
  2. Click All files and folders.
  3. In the "All or part of the file name" box, type:
     
     hosts
     
     
  4. Verify that "Look in" is set to "Local Hard Drives" or to (C:).
  5. Click More advanced options.
  6. Check Search system folders.
  7. Check Search subfolders.
  8. Click Search.
  9. Click Find Now or Search Now.
  10. For each Hosts file that you find, right-click the file, and then click Open With.
  11. Deselect the "Always use this program to open this program" check box.
  12. Scroll through the list of programs and double-click Notepad.
  13. When the file opens, delete all the entries in the Hosts file except for the following line:
      
      127.0.0.1     localhost
      
      
  14. Close Notepad and save your changes when prompted.