A new Trojan horse attack has been spotted in the wild. According to the research team at Symantec, the malware known as MSIL.Stimilik is primarily distributed via Steam instant messages.
| Name | MSIL.Stimilik |
| Type | Trojan Horse, keylogger |
| Short Description | The Trojan horse is most likely designed to harvest passwords through a keylogger. |
| Symptoms | Entries are added to the Registry, files are added or deleted from the system. |
| Distribution Method | Instant messages |
| Detection tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By MSIL.Stimilik |
Systems Affected by MSIL.Stimilik
The Trojan is designed to affect the following versions of the Windows operating system:
Windows 2000, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows XP
MSIL.Stimilik Technical Details
The MSIL.Stimilik Trojan is most likely capable of executing several malicious activities on the affected machine – adding and deleting files and folders, tempering with the Windows registry, connecting to a remote server to receive commands.
Once the Trojan has sneaked into the system, it may create multiple files:
- %SystemDrive%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\[FOLDER name]\[FILE name].exe
- %Temp%\difdicrj.txt
- %Temp%\visited.txt
- %Temp%\[RANDOM CHARACTERS].vbs
Besides adding new files, MSIL.Stimilik can delete all of the files in the following folder:
- %SystemDrive%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
According to Symantec, new registry entries will also be added:
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\”Microsoft” = “[PATH TO MALWARE]”
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\”shell” = “[PATH TO MALWARE], explorer.exe”
Our research indicates that the MSIL.Stimilik Trojan may have keylogging capabilities. According to a VirusTotal scan report, the fade.exe process is associated with the Trojan.
We have already discussed the fade.exe process. It is an executable file, a keylogger in nature, designed to start a parasite on an infected computer. Once executed, fade.exe will run a process and activate a payload.
Fade.exe may be detected as any of the following:
- MSIL:GenMalicious-AUQ [Trj] – Avast
- Gen:Variant.Zusy.143004 – BitDefender
- a variant of MSIL/Stimilik.AG – ESET NOD-32
- Trojan.Passwords.STM – MalwareBytes
- Trojan-PSW.MSIL.Steam.gq – Kaspersky
- Trojan:Win32/Skeeyah.A!rf – Microsoft
- Infostealer.Stimaler – Sophos
Other processes that can be affected by MSIL.Stimilik include:
dimariqq_crypt.exe; screenshot.exe; Vintrila.exe
MSIL.Stimilik Removal Options
As visible by the information provided in this article, this particular Trojan is most likely designed to harvest passwords via a keylogger. However, other types of personal information, such as banking credentials, may be targeted as well. Dealing with the Trojan may not be as easy as it seems.
Even though it is possible to manually locate and remove the threat, relying on professional AV software is recommended. MSIL.Stimilik tempers with the Windows Registry and hides in multiple directories, and a manual removal may leave traces behind
If you feel confident enough to deal with the Trojan, you can refer to our removal guide just below the article.
Step 1: Start Your PC in Safe Mode to Remove MSIL.Stimilik.
Removing MSIL.Stimilik from Windows XP, Vista, 7 systems:
1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.
2. Select one of the two options provided below:
– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.
– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.
3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account
While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.
Removing MSIL.Stimilik from Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 systems:
Substep 1:
Open the Start Menu
Substep 2:
Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.
Substep 3:
After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.
Substep 4:
You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.
Substep 5:
After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Substep 6:
Click on Restart.
Substep 7:
A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart and boot into Safe Mode so you can scan for and remove MSIL.Stimilik.
Step 2: Remove MSIL.Stimilik automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program.
To clean your computer you should download an updated anti-malware program on a safe PC and then install it on the affected computer in offline mode. After that you should boot into safe mode and scan your computer to remove all MSIL.Stimilik associated objects.
