JS.Seeker.J

SUMMARY

JS.Seeker.J is a Trojan Horse that attempts to modify the settings in the Internet Explorer Web browser.

Antivirus Protection Dates

• Initial Rapid Release version January 10, 2003
• Latest Rapid Release version January 10, 2003
• Initial Daily Certified version January 10, 2003
• Latest Daily Certified version January 10, 2003
• Initial Weekly Certified release date January 10, 2003

Threat Assessment

Wild

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

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When JS.Seeker.J is executed, it performs the following:

1. Attempts to modify the following registry keys:
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\Start Page
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\First Home Page
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\Default_Page_URL
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\Search Page
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\(Default)
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\Start Page
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel\HomePage
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel\SecChangeSettings
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\\RegisterOrganization
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\\RegisterOwner
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\\Policies\NoRun
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\\Policies\System\DisableRegistryTools
     
     
2. Modifies the registry to change the last 15 visited Web addresses to be the same adult content Web site.
3. Attempts to create several Web links in the following folders:
   • <user's favorites folder>
   • C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
   • C:\Windows\Start Menu
   • C:\Windows\Desktop
   • C:\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

Recommendations

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

• Use a firewall to block all incoming connections from the Internet to services that should not be publicly available. By default, you should deny all incoming connections and only allow services you explicitly want to offer to the outside world.
• 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.
• Ensure that programs and users of the computer use the lowest level of privileges necessary to complete a task. When prompted for a root or UAC password, ensure that the program asking for administration-level access is a legitimate application.
• Disable AutoPlay to prevent the automatic launching of executable files on network and removable drives, and disconnect the drives when not required. If write access is not required, enable read-only mode if the option is available.
• Turn off file sharing if not needed. If file sharing is required, use ACLs and password protection to limit access. Disable anonymous access to shared folders. Grant access only to user accounts with strong passwords to folders that must be shared.
• Turn off and remove unnecessary services. By default, many operating systems install auxiliary services that are not critical. These services are avenues of attack. If they are removed, threats have less avenues of attack.
• If a 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.
• Configure your email server to block or remove email that contains file attachments that are commonly used to spread threats, such as .vbs, .bat, .exe, .pif and .scr files.
• Isolate compromised computers quickly to prevent threats from spreading further. 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.
• If Bluetooth is not required for mobile devices, it should be turned off. If you require its use, ensure that the device's visibility is set to "Hidden" so that it cannot be scanned by other Bluetooth devices. If device pairing must be used, ensure that all devices are set to "Unauthorized", requiring authorization for each connection request. Do not accept applications that are unsigned or sent from unknown sources.
• For further information on the terms used in this document, please refer to the Security Response glossary.

REMOVAL

These instructions are for all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.

1. Update the virus definitions.
2. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as JS.Seeker.J.
3. Clear the recently visited history cache and delete the Temporary Internet Files in Internet Explorer.
4. Delete or modify the values from the registry.
   
   
   • Delete the following values:
     
     (Default)
     Start Page
     
     from the registry key:
     
     HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
     
     
   • Delete the value:
     
     NoRun
     
     from the registry key:
     
     HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
     
     
   • Delete the value:
     
     DisableRegistryTools
     
     from the registry key:
     
     HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
     
     
   • Delete the following values:
     
     HomePage
     SecChangeSettings
     
     from the registry key:
     
     HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel
     
     
   • Modify the following values:
     
     RegisteredOrganization
     RegisteredOwner
     
     to your own information from the registry key:
     
     HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
     
     
   • Modify the following values:
     
     Start Page
     First Home Page
     Default_Page_URL
     Local Page
     Search Page
     
     to where you want to point, from the registry key:
     
     HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
     
     
   • Delete the link files created by JS.Seeker.J in the following folders:
     
     <user's favorites folder>
     C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
     C:\Windows\Start Menu
     C:\Windows\Desktop
     C:\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
     
     NOTE: The names of the link files are in Chinese.
     

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

1. Updating 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 the 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), in the "Protection" section, at the top of this writeup.
• 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), in the "Protection" section, at the top of this writeup.
  
  The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are available here. For detailed instructions on how to download and install the Intelligent Updater virus definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site, click here.

2. Scanning for and deleting 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 JS.Seeker.J, click Delete.

3. Clearing the History and Temporary Internet Files folders in Internet Explorer

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Click the Tools menu, and then click "Internet Options."
3. Click the "Clear History" button.
4. Click the "Delete Files" button.

4. Removing or modifying the values from the registry

CAUTION: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before you make any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify the specified keys only. Read the document, "How to make a backup of the Windows registry," for instructions.

1. Click Start, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
2. Type regedit, and then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)
3. Navigate to, delete, or modify the following keys:
   
   
   • Navigate to the following key:
     
     HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
     
   • In the right pane, delete the values:
     
     (Default)
     Start Page
     
   • Navigate to the key:
     
     HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
     
   • In the right pane, delete the value:
     
     NoRun
     
   • Navigate to the key:
     
     HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
     
   • In the right pane, delete the value:
     
     DisableRegistryTools
     
   • Navigate to the key:
     
     HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel
     
   • In the right pane, delete the values:
     
     HomePage
     SecChangeSettings
     
   • Navigate to the key:
     
     HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
     
   • In the right pane, modify the following values:
     
     RegisteredOrganization
     RegisteredOwner
     
     to your own information.
     
   • Navigate to the key:
     
     HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
     
   • In the right pane, modify the following values:
     
     Start Page
     First Home Page
     Default_Page_URL
     Local Page
     Search Page
     
     to where you want to point.
     
   • Exit the Registry Editor.