Discovered: February 19, 2004
Updated: February 13, 2007 12:17:45 PM
Type: Trojan Horse
Systems Affected: Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows XP
The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.
- Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
- Update the virus definitions.
- Delete the values that were added to the registry.
- Uninstall and re-install Norton AntiVirus.
- Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Backdoor.IRC.Aladinz.K.
For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.
1. Disabling 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. 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 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. Deleting the values from the registry
WARNING: 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 keys only. Read the document, "
How to make a backup of the Windows registry," for instructions.
- Click Start, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
- Type regedit
Then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)
- Navigate to the key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- In the right pane, delete the value:
"PrinterSpool"="%System%\PLUGINS\RESTORE.EXE %System%\PLUGINS\SPOOL.EXE"
- Navigate to the key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\mIRC
Note: If you do not use mIRC, you can delete this key and go to step i. If you use mIRC, complete steps f through h.
- Navigate to the key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\mIRC\UserName
and reset the value:
"(Default)"
to the correct value.
- Navigate to the key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\mIRC\License
and reset the value:
"(Default)"
to the correct value.
- Navigate to the key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\mIRC\LastRun
and reset the value:
"(Default)"
to the correct value.
- Exit the Registry Editor.
4. Uninstalling and re-installing Norton AntiVirus
Since Backoor.IRC.Aladinz.K attempts to modify certain Norton AntiVirus files, you will need to uninstall and re-install Norton AntiVirus to completely remove this Trojan. For instructions, read the following document relevant to your version of Norton AntiVirus:
5. Scanning for and deleting the infected files
- Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
- Run a full system scan.
- If any files are detected as Backdoor.IRC.Aladinz.K, Backdoor.Trojan, Hacktool.HideWindow, or Hacktool.X-Scan, click Delete.
Symantec Security Response also recommends that you also delete all the other files that Backdoor.IRC.Aladinz.K dropped, as described in steps 1 and 2 of the "Technical Details" section.
Writeup By: Fergal Ladley