Prevx Research Division
HOSTS.EXE
Cloaked MalwareFree PC Cleanup from Webroot
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Associated Malware Groups
The unsafe files using this name are associated with the malware groups:
- Cloaked Malware
- Malware Downloader
- Malicious Software
File Behavior
HOSTS.EXE has been seen to perform the following behavior:
- The Process is packed and/or encrypted using a software packing process
- Found on infected systems and resists interrogation by security products
- The Process is polymorphic and can change its structure
- This Process is a file infector which modifies program files to include a copy of the infection
- Looks at the contents of the autoexec.bat file
- Reads email address and phone book details
- Opens browser pop ups
- Uses DNS to retrieve the IP address for web sites
- Adds a Registry Key (RUN) to auto start Programs on system start up
- This process creates other processes on disk
- Executes a Process
- Writes to another Process's Virtual Memory (Process Hijacking)
- Can communicate with other computer systems using HTTP protocols
- Uses hidden browser windows to connect to web sites without telling you
- Creates system tray popups, messages, errors and security warnings
- Runs Javascript code
- Modifies the Windows Host File which could be used to stop you visiting specific web sites by redirecting you to alternative addresses without you knowing
- Registers a Dynamic Link Library File
- Uses rootkit techniques to conceal its presence, interrogation or removal
HOSTS.EXE has been the subject of the following behavior:
- Created as a process on disk
- Executed as a Process
- Added as a Registry auto start to load Program on Boot up
- Registered as a Dynamic Link Library File
- Created by processes which appear to be checking for interception by security products
- Has code inserted into its Virtual Memory space by other programs
- Deleted as a process from disk
Country Of Origin
The filename HOSTS.EXE was first seen on Sep 1 2007 in the following geographical regions of the Webroot community:
- Spain on Sep 1 2007
- Poland on Sep 1 2007
- Uruguay on Aug 29 2008
- The United States on Oct 24 2008
- Turkey on May 24 2012
Filesizes
The following file size has been seen:
- 29,134 bytes
- 29,834 bytes
- 476,805 bytes
- 73,728 bytes
- 25,594 bytes
- 24,576 bytes
- 96,732 bytes
File Type
The filename HOSTS.EXE refers to many versions of an executable program.
File Activity
One or more files with the name HOSTS.EXE creates, deletes, copies or moves the following files and folders:
- Creates c:\documents and settings\user\local settings\temporary internet files\content.ie5\2lcwzf76\navcancl[1]
- Opens/modifes c:\autoexec.bat
- Creates c:\docume~1\user\locals~1\temp\others.ini
- Deletes c:\docume~1\user\locals~1\temp\others.ini
- Creates c:\documents and settings\user\local settings\temporary internet files\content.ie5\2lcwzf76\ErrorPageTemplate[1]
- Creates c:\documents and settings\user\local settings\temporary internet files\content.ie5\4cvefhyb\errorPageStrings[1]
- Creates c:\documents and settings\user\local settings\temporary internet files\content.ie5\7gddxlhz\httpErrorPagesScripts[1]
- Creates c:\documents and settings\user\local settings\temporary internet files\content.ie5\67acpgmg\background_gradient[1]
- Creates c:\documents and settings\user\local settings\temporary internet files\content.ie5\2lcwzf76\info_48[1]
- Creates c:\documents and settings\user\local settings\temporary internet files\content.ie5\4cvefhyb\bullet[1]
Website Activity
One or more files with the name HOSTS.EXE interacts with the following web sites and pages. Web addresses have been deliberately modified to prevent unintentional use.
- TCP:127.0.0.1:1077 Port:20
- Port 80 IP:68.180.151.74
- Port 80 IP:84.45.224.22
- Port 80 IP:4.78.241.104
- Port 80 IP:84.45.224.16
- Port 80 IP:93.188.128.39
- Port 80 IP:194.129.79.24
- Port 80 IP:84.45.224.6
- Port 80 IP:12.130.60.3
- Port 80 IP:64.158.223.128
- Port 80 IP:217.118.135.100
- Port 80 IP:84.45.224.7
- Port 80 IP:209.62.176.152
- Port 80 IP:216.73.84.17
- Port 80 IP:209.62.178.57
- Port 80 IP:216.73.84.107
- Port 80 IP:217.118.135.104
- Port 80 IP:62.25.103.43
- Port 80 IP:89.202.193.174
- Port 80 IP:64.154.80.254
- Port 80 IP:168.75.68.97
- Port 80 IP:168.75.68.60
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