Threat Spotlight

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For the week of 04 Jan 2010
Threat 1

Stubborn Internet Explorer toolbar hard to remove

Threat Name:

Potentially unwanted application: Widgi Toolbar

Users at Risk:

Internet Explorer users on Windows

Also Known As:

  • McAfee: Widgi Toolbar

Removal Instructions:

If you've received an alert for a blocked PUA or adware and decide that the application is not suitable for your workplace, then follow the instructions for removing PUAs.

About:

The worm also modifies the following configuration files:

  • com.apple.ksyslog.plist
  • com.apple.period.plist

Widgi Toolbar is a browser helper object bundled with some freeware applications. It registers itself as a toolbar named WidgiToolbarIE.

The freeware installation may have the Widgi Toolbar optional but the option to decline the toolbar install may be convoluted or hidden.

Widgi Toolbar creates the following registry keys:

HKCR/CLSID/C089D5FC-CFE2-4BCD-A522-2981448227CE
HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Internet Explorer/Toolbar/C089D5FC-CFE2-4BCD-A522-2981448227CE
HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Browser Helper Objects/C089D5FC-CFE2-4BCD-A522-2981448227CE

Widgi Toolbar redirects 404 page not found and DNS error pages to another website. It also resets the default browser search page.

Threat 2

Christmas card email attachment really a malware attack

Threat Name:

Trojan: Troj/CryptBx-ZP

Users at Risk:

Windows users

Also Known As:

  • Kaspersky: Trojan.Win32.Buzus.cvcz
  • McAfee: Generic.dx!kxt
  • Microsoft: Worm:Win32/Prolaco.gen!C
  • Trend Micro: WORM_PROLACO.AQP

Removal Instructions:

Please follow the instructions for removing Trojans.

About:

Troj/CryptBx-ZP is an example of the many different malware that use fake greetings to spread during the holidays. Hackers attach the malware to a fake Christmas card greeting email. The file attached to the email, named Christmas Card.zip, contains malware detected by Sophos as Mal/CryptBox-A. When users extract the attachment and click on the fake Christmas card executable, the malware runs in the background.

Threat 3

Fake browser plug-in exploits holiday cheer

Threat Name:

Trojan: Troj/Dropr-CL

Users at Risk:

Windows users

Also Known As:

  • Kaspersky: Trojan-Downloader.Win32.Piker.bcd
  • Microsoft: Trojan:Win32/Oficla.E
  • Trend Micro: TROJ_PIKER.BX

Further Reading:

SophosLabs blog: Flash, Christmas and the new year

Removal Instructions:

Please follow the instructions for removing Trojans.

About:

Troj/Dropr-CL is another piece of malware exploiting the friendly spirit of the holidays. This threat uses the strategy of an infected website delivering a fake browser plug-in.

When run, Troj/Dropr-CL creates following files:

%SystemRoot%\system32\fimp.elo (detected as Mal/Sasfis-D)

—and adjusts the following registry entry:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
"Shell"

The Trojan also adds "rundll32.exe fimp.elo pufxcp" to the entry, which allows the malware to be activated every time Windows restarts.