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TSPY_KEYLOG.ER

December 06, 2013
 Analysis by: Anthony Joe Melgarejo
 ALIASES:

Trojan:Win32/Dynamer!dtc (Microsoft), Win32/Spy.KeyLogger.NSJ trojan (NOD32), TrojanSpy.KeyLogger.acsp (VBA32)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Downloaded by other malware/grayware, Downloaded from the Internet

This spyware may arrive bundled with malware packages as a malware component. It arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

It does not have any propagation routine.

It does not have any backdoor routine.

It does not have any downloading capability.

It logs a user's keystrokes to steal information.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

16,384 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

21 Dec 2012

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs, Logs keystrokes

Arrival Details

This spyware may arrive bundled with malware packages as a malware component.

It arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

Autostart Technique

This spyware adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Active Setup\Installed Components\{A9DB83DB_A9FD_11D0_BFD1_444553541111}
StubPath = "{malware path and file name}" -installkys

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
VirtualStore\MACHINE\Microsoft\
Active Setup\Installed Components\{A9DB83DB_A9FD_11D0_BFD1_444553541111} - for Windows Vista and 7 only
StubPath = "{malware path and file name} -installkys"

Propagation

This spyware does not have any propagation routine.

Backdoor Routine

This spyware does not have any backdoor routine.

Download Routine

This spyware does not have any downloading capability.

Information Theft

This spyware logs a user's keystrokes to steal information.

Stolen Information

This spyware saves the stolen information in the following file:

  • %User Temp%\slog.dat

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.)

NOTES:

This spyware requires any of the following parameters to successfully perform its routine:

  • -installkys
  • -run

It has the capability to remove the registry key and entry it added by using the following parameter:

  • -removekys

It does not have rootkit capabilities.

It does not exploit any vulnerability.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

9.608.02

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

21 Dec 2012

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

9.609.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

22 Dec 2012

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.

Step 2

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as TSPY_KEYLOG.ER

Step 3

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 4

Delete this registry value

[ Learn More ]

Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this step only if you know how or you can ask assistance from your system administrator. Else, check this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{A9DB83DB_A9FD_11D0_BFD1_444553541111}
    • StubPath = "{malware path and file name}" -installkys
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\VirtualStore\MACHINE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{A9DB83DB_A9FD_11D0_BFD1_444553541111}
    • StubPath = "{malware path and file name} -installkys"

Step 5

Search and delete this file

[ Learn More ]
There may be some files that are hidden. Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the "More advanced options" option to include all hidden files and folders in the search result.
  • %User Temp%\slog.dat

Step 6

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TSPY_KEYLOG.ER. If the detected files have already been cleaned, deleted, or quarantined by your Trend Micro product, no further step is required. You may opt to simply delete the quarantined files. Please check this Knowledge Base page for more information.


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