Mal/JSRedir-M

Posted: October 29, 2012

Threat Metric

The Threat Meter is a malware assessment that SpywareRemove.com's research team is able to give every identifiable malware threat. Our Threat Meter includes several criteria based off of specific malware threats to value their severity, reach and volume. The Threat Meter is able to give you a numerical breakdown of each threat's initial Threat Level, Detection Count, Volume Count, Trend Path and Percentage Impact. The overall ranking of each threat in the Threat Meter is a basic breakdown of how all threats are ranked within our own extensive malware database. The scoring for each specific malware threat can be easily compared to other emerging threats to draw a contrast in its particular severity. The Threat Meter is a useful tool in the endeavor of seeking a solution to remove a threat or pursue additional analytical research for all types of computer users.

The following fields listed on the Threat Meter containing a specific value, are explained in detail below:

Threat Level: The threat level scale goes from 1 to 10 where 10 is the highest level of severity and 1 is the lowest level of severity. Each specific level is relative to the threat's consistent assessed behaviors collected from SpyHunter's risk assessment model.

Detection Count: The collective number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular malware threat. The detection count is calculated from infected PCs retrieved from diagnostic and scan log reports generated by SpyHunter.

Volume Count: Similar to the detection count, the Volume Count is specifically based on the number of confirmed and suspected threats infecting systems on a daily basis. High volume counts usually represent a popular threat but may or may not have infected a large number of systems. High detection count threats could lay dormant and have a low volume count. Criteria for Volume Count is relative to a daily detection count.

Trend Path: The Trend Path, utilizing an up arrow, down arrow or equal symbol, represents the level of recent movement of a particular threat. Up arrows represent an increase, down arrows represent a decline and the equal symbol represent no change to a threat's recent movement.

% Impact (Last 7 Days): This demonstrates a 7-day period change in the frequency of a malware threat infecting PCs. The percentage impact correlates directly to the current Trend Path to determine a rise or decline in the percentage.

Threat Level:	9/10
Infected PCs:	30

First Seen:	October 29, 2012
Last Seen:	July 8, 2022
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

Mal/JSRedir-M or Trojan.JS.Agent.HLU is a JavaScript-based redirect that exposes your browser to Blackhole Exploit Kit-based attacks. These attacks have been known to install several types of malware including high-level PC threats like banking Trojans and are flexible enough to affect many different system setups. Mal/JSRedir-M attacks tend to be experienced after the victim opens a fake picture file in e-mail spam that actually is a deliberately mislabeled HTM file, Mal/JSRedir-M. The initial redirect by Mal/JSRedir-M will display a fake web page message about being forwarded to the intended destination, but there are no other symptoms of the attack or the accompanying payload. Since the Blackhole Exploit Kit and malware programs that are linked to Mal/JSRedir-M can be considered some of the most dangerous and widespread PC threats at this time, SpywareRemove.com malware analysts strongly encourage proactive protection against Mal/JSRedir-M, as well as the application of anti-malware software after any exposure to Mal/JSRedir-M.

Mal/JSRedir-M and the 'Photos' that Have Only Drive-By-Download Exploits to Show You

Like so many other browser redirect-based Trojans, Mal/JSRedir-M is distributed through misleading e-mail messages that carry Mal/JSRedir-M as a file attachment. Although Mal/JSRedir-M may appear to be an archive of pictures and is described as a set of photos in the main body of its e-mail spam, Mal/JSRedir-M actually is a simple HTM file that exploits JavaScript to redirect your browser. E-mail spam that carries Mal/JSRedir-M can portray itself as being sent by LinkedIn and SpywareRemove.com malware analysts especially encourage anti-malware scans for any suspicious file attachments that match this description.

Opening Mal/JSRedir-M will cause a 'You will be forwarded' web page to display, which also insists that the content being loaded only is compatible with Firefox or Internet Explorer. SpywareRemove.com malware analysts surmise that this is to ensure a maximum of potential vulnerabilities that can be exploited at the final destination – a web page that hosts a variant of the Blackhole Exploit Kit.

The Blackhole Exploit Kit (also known as BEK or Blacole) attempts to detect and use appropriate vulnerabilities in software that can be used to install malware onto the targeted computer. However, Blackhole Exploit Kits also have been known to attack other browsers, and users of programs such as Chrome or Opera shouldn't feel safe. PC users with outdated JavaScript packages, outdated web browsers, outdated Adobe software or outdated operating systems are especially vulnerable to Blacole attacks.

Staring into the Pit of Mal/JSRedir-M's Hostile Intentions

In terms of the overall intended payload, Mal/JSRedir-M solely has little part to play in its attack. Once you've clicked on Mal/JSRedir-M, redirecting you to Blacole, Mal/JSRedir-M's part in the assault is finished. However, PC threats that can be installed through Mal/JSRedir-M's redirect will remain in your computer until they're removed by appropriate anti-malware applications.

Mal/JSRedir-M attacks and similar PC threats have been known to be used to install advanced forms of spyware, especially banking Trojans that are used to steal passwords and/or bank account information. Since malware installed by a Mal/JSRedir-M redirect can be very sophisticated and difficult to detect, you should avoid manual efforts at removing Mal/JSRedir-M-related malware unless you have step-by-step assistance from PC security experts.

Technical Details

File System Modifications

Tutorials: If you wish to learn how to remove malware components manually, you can read the tutorials on how to find malware, kill unwanted processes, remove malicious DLLs and delete other harmful files. Always be sure to back up your PC before making any changes.

The following files were created in the system:

Image_DIG[RANDOM NUMBER].htm

File name: Image_DIG[RANDOM NUMBER].htm
Mime Type: unknown/htm
Group: Malware file

Additional Information

The following messages's were detected:

#	Message
1	Cannot start Microsoft Identity CRL. A required component is missing: Trojan.Web32.Autorun.Gen. Please install the application again.
2	Hi, I have attached your photos to the mail (Open with Internet Explorer) Please wait a moment
3	This application failed to start because msidcrl40.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem
4	You will be forwarded.. Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox compatible only