Trojan.Magise

Risk Level 1: Very Low

Discovered:
March 21, 2005
Updated:
February 13, 2007 12:35:38 PM
Type:
Trojan Horse
Systems Affected:
Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP

SUMMARY



Trojan.Magise is a Trojan horse program that exploits the Microsoft Internet Explorer HTML Help Control Local Zone Security Restriction Bypass Vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-001) and downloads remote files. The Trojan attempts to redirect several search Web sites.



Removing entries from the Hosts file
If this threat has modified the Windows Hosts file, there are two ways to remove these entries:
  • Install and run the current version of LiveUpdate. This will remove only the entries that refer to Symantec domains.
  • Manually edit the Hosts file and remove all the entries that the worm added.

To run the current version of LiveUpdate
  1. Click download LiveUpdate.

    Note:
    If you are not reading this Web page on the computer that is getting the error notice, the address for downloading the file is:

    ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/liveupdate/lusetup.exe

    If necessary, you can type this address into the address bar of the problem computer. Changes to the Hosts file will not stop you from getting to this site.

  2. Save the file to the Windows desktop.
  3. Double-click the lusetup.exe icon on the desktop to install LiveUpdate.
  4. Run LiveUpdate.
  5. Did you see the message "LU1860: LiveUpdate has detected a potential security compromise on your computer"?
    • If you did, let LiveUpdate "Remove these entries from the hosts files" (Recommended).
      This should allow LiveUpdate to run.
    • If you did not, that was not the cause of the problem. Return to the Removal section.


To manually edit the Hosts file and remove all the entries that the worm added

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:\WINNT\system32\drivers\etc 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 Step 31 of the "Technical Details" section.
    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 Step 31 of the "Technical Details" section.
    14. Close Notepad and save your changes when prompted.

Antivirus Protection Dates

  • Initial Rapid Release version March 22, 2005
  • Latest Rapid Release version March 8, 2011 revision 004
  • Initial Daily Certified version March 22, 2005 revision 002
  • Latest Daily Certified version March 8, 2011 revision 020
  • Initial Weekly Certified release date March 23, 2005
Click here for a more detailed description of Rapid Release and Daily Certified virus definitions.

Threat Assessment

Wild

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

Damage

  • Damage Level: Low

Distribution

  • Distribution Level: Low

TECHNICAL DETAILS


When Trojan.Magise runs, it does the following:

  1. Attempts to drop the following file from the HTML page that exploits the Microsoft Internet Explorer HTML Help Control Local Zone Security Restriction Bypass Vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-001) :

    %SystemDrive%\help.vbs

    Note: %SystemDrive% is a variable that refers to the drive on which Windows is installed. By default, this is drive C.

  2. Downloads the following file from http:/ /69.50.182.8x/file/loadsp2.exe, saving it as the following and executing it:

    %SystemDrive%\help2.exe

    Note: The executable is a downloader for the actual Trojan.

  3. Attempts to download the following file located at www.win-update.net/tb/ or www.network-tool.net/tb/ and register it using regsvr32.exe:

    %SystemDrive%\msearch.dll

  4. Registers the library msearch.dll as a Browser Helper Object (Internet Explorer plug-in) and will display a search toolbar in Internet Explorer.

  5. Adds the value:

    "(Default)" = "C:\msearch.dll"

    to the registry subkeys:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{A6790AA5-C6C7-4BCF-A46D-0FDAC4EA90EB}\InprocServer32
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D7BF3304-138B-4DD5-86EE-491BB6A2286C}\InprocServer32
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{FFF5092F-7172-4018-827B-FA5868FB0478}\InprocServer32
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{84C94803-B5EC-4491-B2BE-7B113E013B77}\1.0\0\win32


  6. Adds the value:

    "ThreadingModel" = "Apartment"

    to the registry subkeys:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{A6790AA5-C6C7-4BCF-A46D-0FDAC4EA90EB}\InprocServer32
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D7BF3304-138B-4DD5-86EE-491BB6A2286C}\InprocServer32
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{FFF5092F-7172-4018-827B-FA5868FB0478}\InprocServer32

  7. Adds the value:

    "(Default)" = "ZToolbar.StockBar.1"

    to the registry subkeys:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{A6790AA5-C6C7-4BCF-A46D-0FDAC4EA90EB}\ProgID
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ZToolbar.StockBar\CurVer

  8. Adds the value:

    "(Default)"  = "{84C94803-B5EC-4491-B2BE-7B113E013B77}"

    to the registry subkeys:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D7BF3304-138B-4DD5-86EE-491BB6A2286C}\TypeLib
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{FFF5092F-7172-4018-827B-FA5868FB0478}\TypeLib
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{A6790AA5-C6C7-4BCF-A46D-0FDAC4EA90EB}\TypeLib

  9. Adds the value:

    "(Default)" = "ZToolbar.ParamWr.1"

    to the registry subkeys:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D7BF3304-138B-4DD5-86EE-491BB6A2286C}\ProgID
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ZToolbar.ParamWr\CurVer

  10. Adds the value:

    "(Default)" = "ZToolbar.activator.1"

    to the registry subkeys:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{FFF5092F-7172-4018-827B-FA5868FB0478}\ProgID
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ZToolbar.activator\CurVer

  11. Adds the value:

    "(Default)" = "ZToolbar Activator Class"

    to the registry subkeys:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{FFF5092F-7172-4018-827B-FA5868FB0478}
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ZToolbar.activator.1
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ZToolbar.activator

  12. Adds the value:

    "(Default)" = "{FFF5092F-7172-4018-827B-FA5868FB0478}"

    to the registry subkeys:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ZToolbar.activator.1\CLSID
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ZToolbar.activator\CLSID

  13. Adds the value:

    "(Default)" = "CParamWr Class"

    to the registry subkeys:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ZToolbar.ParamWr.1
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ZToolbar.ParamWr
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D7BF3304-138B-4DD5-86EE-491BB6A2286C}

  14. Adds the value:

    "(Default)" = "{D7BF3304-138B-4DD5-86EE-491BB6A2286C}"

    to the registry subkeys:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ZToolbar.ParamWr.1\CLSID
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ZToolbar.ParamWr\CLSID

  15. Adds the value:

    "(Default)" = "ZToolbar"

    to the registry subkeys:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ZToolbar.StockBar.1
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ZToolbar.StockBar

  16. Adds the value:

    "(Default)" = "{A6790AA5-C6C7-4BCF-A46D-0FDAC4EA90EB}"

    to the registry subkeys:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ZToolbar.StockBar.1\CLSID
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ZToolbar.StockBar\CLSID

  17. Adds the values:

    "DateTimeHigh" = "[a DWORD value]"
    "DateTimeLow" = "[a DWORD value]"
    "DisplayName" = "Magic Search Toolbar"
    "UninstallString" = "regsvr32 /u /s "C:\msearch.dll""


    to the registry subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\MagicSearchCo\MagicSearch

  18. Adds the value:

    "(Default)" = "Magic Search Toolbar"

    to the registry subkey:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{A6790AA5-C6C7-4BCF-A46D-0FDAC4EA90EB}

  19. Adds the value:

    "(Default)" = "ZToolbar.StockBar"

    to the registry subkey:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{A6790AA5-C6C7-4BCF-A46D-0FDAC4EA90EB}\VersionIndependentProgID

  20. Adds the value:

    "(Default)" = "0"

    to the registry subkey:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D7BF3304-138B-4DD5-86EE-491BB6A2286C}\MiscStatus

  21. Adds the value:

    "(Default)" = "131473"

    to the registry subkey:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D7BF3304-138B-4DD5-86EE-491BB6A2286C}\MiscStatus\1

  22. Adds the value:

    "(Default)" = "C:\msearch.dll, 105"

    to the registry subkey:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D7BF3304-138B-4DD5-86EE-491BB6A2286C}\ToolboxBitmap32

  23. Adds the value:

    "(Default)" = "1.0"

    to the registry subkey:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D7BF3304-138B-4DD5-86EE-491BB6A2286C}\Version\

  24. Adds the value:

    "(Default)" = "ZToolbar.ParamWr"

    to the registry subkey:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D7BF3304-138B-4DD5-86EE-491BB6A2286C}\VersionIndependentProgID

  25. Adds the value:

    "(Default)" = "ZToolbar.activator"

    to the registry subkey:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{FFF5092F-7172-4018-827B-FA5868FB0478}\VersionIndependentProgID

  26. Adds the value:

    "(Default)" = "C:\"

    to the registry subkey:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{84C94803-B5EC-4491-B2BE-7B113E013B77}\1.0\HELPDIR

  27. Adds the value:

    "{A6790AA5-C6C7-4BCF-A46D-0FDAC4EA90EB}" = "[zero-length binary value]"

    to the registry subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar

  28. Adds the registry subkeys:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\ZToolbar.activator
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\ZToolbar.activator.1
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\ZToolbar.ParamWr
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\ZToolbar.ParamWr.1
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\ZToolbar.StockBar
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\ZToolbar.StockBar.1

  29. Activates when Internet Explorer is executed and attempts to download a configuration file from www.win-update.net/tb/msearch.xml or www.network-tool.net/tb/msearch.xml and interpret the downloaded content.

  30. Uses the data in the configuration file to create ad related links and contains information primarily related to popup ads.

  31. Using the configuration file, may direct the Trojan to perform typical back door activities such as download, execute, and overwrite files on the computer or to insert registry entries, all without user's knowledge or consent.

  32. Replaces the Hosts file with the following text from a downloaded file:

    69.50.182.88 auto.search.msn.com
    69.50.182.88 search.msn.com
    69.50.182.88 ie.search.msn.com
    69.50.136.245 www.madthumbs.com
    69.50.136.245 madthumbs.com www.sexocean.com sexocean.com www.cowlist.com cowlist.com www.easygals.com easygals.com www.muyzorras.com muyzorras.com www.xnxx.com xnxx.com
    69.50.136.245 www.pichunter.com pichunter.com www.88by88.com 88by88.com www.rubias19.com rubias19.com hqgal.com www.hqgal.com petiteteenager.com www.petiteteenager.com petardas.com www.petardas.com
    69.50.136.245 puppykibble.com www.puppykibble.com www.sweetiestgp.com sweetiestgp.com www.bunnyteens.com bunnyteens.com www.amateurcurves.com amateurcurves.com thumbzilla.com www.thumbzilla.com
    69.50.136.245 sexape.com www.sexape.com picwarehouse.com www.picwarehouse.com sublimedirectory.com www.sublimedirectory.com fuckk.com www.fuckk.com youngerbabes.com www.youngerbabes.com 1storgasm.com www.1storgasm.com slickgalleries.com
    69.50.136.245 www.madteenies.com madteenies.com www.slickgalleries.com 10fuck.com www.10fuck.com smashingthumbs.com www.thumbnailseries.com thumbnailseries.com goatlist.com www.goatlist.com teentiger.com www.teentiger.com
    69.50.136.245 www.worldsex.com worldsex.com www.al4a.com al4a.com www.89.com 89.com www.thumberland.com thumberland.com www.freeheaven.com freeheaven.com www.spyass.com spyass.com www.ampland.com ampland.com secretarygalleries.com
    69.50.136.245 amandalist.com www.amandalist.com www.absolut-series.com absolut-series.com lloronas.com www.lloronas.com p0rno.org www.p0rno.org www.starslist.com starslist.com gigagalleries.com
    69.50.136.245 dianapost.com www.dianapost.com www.zadina.com zadina.com www.frogsex.com frogsex.com teenagesecrets.biz www.teenagesecrets.biz ratemycameltoe.com www.mature-post.com mature-post.com www.call-kelly.com
    69.50.136.245 elreyano.com www.elreyano.com purextc.com www.purextc.com officespy.com www.officespy.com www.secretarygalleries.com www.gigagalleries.com www.croseries.com croseries.com www.top-galleries.com top-galleries.com
    69.50.136.245 pussy.org www.pussy.org freesmutseries.net www.freesmutseries.net porno-pics-free.com www.porno-pics-free.com catlist.com www.smashingthumbs.com call-kelly.com www.boneme.com boneme.com www.series-xxx.com series-xxx.com
    69.50.136.245 teeniefiles.com www.teeniefiles.com jpeg4free.com www.jpeg4free.com www.catlist.com www.ratemycameltoe.com sleazydream.com www.sleazydream.com www.justacthard.com justacthard.com
    69.50.136.245 sexyfotky.cz www.sexyfotky.cz hammervideo.com www.hammervideo.com rawpussy.com www.rawpussy.com teeniesxxx.com www.teeniesxxx.com porn-view.com www.porn-view.com dailybasis.com www.dailybasis.com
    69.50.136.245 pornstarfinder.net www.pornstarfinder.net jennysbookmarks.com www.jennysbookmarks.com babes4free.com www.babes4free.com 3pic.com www.3pic.com www.freefoto.cz freefoto.cz
    69.50.136.245 searchgals.com www.searchgals.com picsmonster.com www.picsmonster.com sublimepie.com www.sublimepie.com pornhelious.com www.pornhelious.com galleries4free.com www.galleries4free.com


  33. Causes mistyped or unreachable Web sites searches to be directed through the malicious Web server instead of Microsoft's portal (auto.search.msn.com) displaying unwanted ads in the result page.

  34. Attempts to display the Internet Explorer start page from www.online-service.cc, regardless of user's setting for the home page.

  35. Using the toolbar displayed by the Trojan in Internet Explorer, will return results from www.search-toolbar.com.

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


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. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Trojan.Magise.
  4. Delete the value that was added to the registry.
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:
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 daily. 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.

    Note: If you see an error, such as LU1418, when you try to run LiveUpdate and you cannot get the Web site hosting the Intelligent Updater, it is likely that the worm has modified the Hosts file. You can either download and install LiveUpdate 2.5, which can remove Symantec entries from that file, or you can edit it yourself. See the instructions for both in the "Additional Information" section below.

3. 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.
  2. Run a full system scan.
  3. If any files are detected as infected with Trojan.Magise, 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, restart the computer in Normal mode and proceed with section 4.
4. To delete the value from the registry
Important: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before making any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify the specified subkeys only. Read the document, "How to make a backup of the Windows registry," for instructions.
  1. Click Start > Run.
  2. Type regedit

    Then click OK.

  3. Navigate to and delete the subkeys:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{A6790AA5-C6C7-4BCF-A46D-0FDAC4EA90EB}
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D7BF3304-138B-4DD5-86EE-491BB6A2286C}
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{FFF5092F-7172-4018-827B-FA5868FB0478}
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{84C94803-B5EC-4491-B2BE-7B113E013B77}
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ZToolbar.activator.1
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ZToolbar.activator
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ZToolbar.ParamWr.1
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ZToolbar.ParamWr
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ZToolbar.StockBar.1
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ZToolbar.StockBar
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\MagicSearchCo
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\ZToolbar.activator
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\ZToolbar.activator.1
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\ZToolbar.ParamWr
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\ZToolbar.ParamWr.1
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\ZToolbar.StockBar
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\ZToolbar.StockBar.1

  4. Exit the Registry Editor.