Pigeon.ET is a Trojan, which although seemingly inoffensive, can actually carry out attacks and intrusions. It captures certain information entered or saved by the user, with the corresponding threat to privacy:
passwords saved by certain Windows services; keystrokes, in order to obtain information for accessing online banking services, passwords and other confidential information. It affects productivity, preventing tasks from being carried out: - In the affected computer:
causes system slowdowns.
It reduces the security level of the computer:
it changes the security settings of Internet Explorer, decreasing its security level. Pigeon.ET accesses several websites to download files, which it then runs. These can be any type of file, although they are normally malware. It uses stealth techniques to avoid being detected by the user: - It uses techniques included in its code to hide itself while it is active.
- It injects itself in running processes.
- It deletes the original file from which it was run once it is installed on the computer.
- It modifies system permissions in order to hide itself.
It uses several methods in order to avoid detection by antivirus companies: - It terminates its own execution if it detects that a debugging program is active.
Pigeon.ET uses the following propagation or distribution methods: - Exploiting vulnerabilities with the intervention of the user: exploiting vulnerabilities in file formats or applications. To exploit them successfully it needs the intervention of the user: opening files, viewing malicious web pages, reading emails, etc.
- Via Internet, exploiting remote vulnerabilities: attacking random IP addresses, in which it tries to insert a copy of itself by exploiting one or more vulnerabilities.
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