arrow_back
search
close

TrojanSpy.Win32.SOCELARS.AFJZ

January 08, 2020
 ALIASES:

Spyware:Win32/Socelars.G!MTB [non_writable_container] (Microsoft); Mal/BadCert-Gen, Mal/BadCert-Gen (Sophos)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Trojan Spy

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

1,948,024 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

08 Jan 2020

Arrival Details

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

Installation

This Trojan Spy adds the following processes:

  • "%User Temp%\is-FDM62.tmp\{malware file name}.tmp" /SL5="$20164,1238453,754688,{malware file path and name}"
  • %User Temp%\pdfreader2020\pdfreader2020.exe /S /uid=1029

(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(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It creates the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\is-2EKLJ.tmp\_isetup
  • %User Temp%\pdfreader2020

(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(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

Other System Modifications

This Trojan Spy adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
pdfreader

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000
Owner = "\x88\x01\x00\x00,a\x84n\xd5L\xd5\x01"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000
SessionHash = "{random characters}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000
Sequence = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000
RegFiles0000 = "\x00"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000
RegFilesHash = "{random characters}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
Inno Setup: Setup Version = "6.0.2 (u)"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
Inno Setup: App Path = "%User Temp%\pdfreader2020"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
InstallLocation = "%User Temp%\pdfreader2020"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
Inno Setup: Icon Group = "(Default)"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
Inno Setup: User = "{username}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
Inno Setup: Language = "default"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
DisplayName = "pdfreader2020 version 19.20"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
UninstallString = "%User Temp%\pdfreader2020\unins000.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
QuietUninstallString = "%User Temp%\pdfreader2020\unins000.exe /SILENT"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
DisplayVersion = "19.20"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
NoModify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
NoRepair = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
InstallDate = "20190807"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
MajorVersion = "19"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
MinorVersion = "20"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
VersionMajor = "19"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
VersionMinor = "20"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
EstimatedSize = "3027"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
pdfreader
pdfreader = "%User Temp%\pdfreader2020\pdfreader2020.exe"

It deletes the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000\RegFilesHash

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000\RegFiles0000

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000\Sequence

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000\SessionHash

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000\Owner

Dropping Routine

This Trojan Spy drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\32547689.dat
  • %User Temp%\cookies.sqlite
  • %User Temp%\cookies.sqlite-wal
  • %User Temp%\pdfreader2020\unins000.exe
  • %User Temp%\pdfreader2020\pdfreader2020.exe
  • %User Temp%\pdfreader2020\unins000.dat
  • %User Temp%\cookies.sqlite-shm
  • %User Temp%\32489359.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(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

Other Details

This Trojan Spy connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://www.{BLOCKED}e.pw
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}t.pw
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}t.pw/Home/Index/getdata
  • http://{BLOCKED}er.org

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.

Step 2

Identify and terminate files detected as TrojanSpy.Win32.SOCELARS.AFJZ

[ Learn More ]
  1. Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
  2. If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

Step 3

Delete this registry key

[ 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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager
    • Session0000
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • {FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • pdfreader

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • Owner = "\x88\x01\x00\x00,a\x84n\xd5L\xd5\x01"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • SessionHash = "{random characters}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • Sequence = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • RegFiles0000 = "\x00"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • RegFilesHash = "{random characters}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
    • Inno Setup: Setup Version = "6.0.2 (u)"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
    • Inno Setup: App Path = "%User Temp%\pdfreader2020"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
    • InstallLocation = "%User Temp%\pdfreader2020"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
    • Inno Setup: Icon Group = "(Default)"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
    • Inno Setup: User = "{username}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
    • Inno Setup: Language = "default"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
    • DisplayName = "pdfreader2020 version 19.20"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
    • UninstallString = "%User Temp%\pdfreader2020\unins000.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
    • QuietUninstallString = "%User Temp%\pdfreader2020\unins000.exe /SILENT"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
    • DisplayVersion = "19.20"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
    • NoModify = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
    • NoRepair = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
    • InstallDate = "20190807"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
    • MajorVersion = "19"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
    • MinorVersion = "20"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
    • VersionMajor = "19"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
    • VersionMinor = "20"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{FA3C9B9D-2A01-49FD-9C3E-BA3B230909C9}_is1
    • EstimatedSize = "3027"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\pdfreader
    • pdfreader = "%User Temp%\pdfreader2020\pdfreader2020.exe"

Step 5

Search and delete these components

[ Learn More ]
There may be some components 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%\32547689.dat
  • %User Temp%\cookies.sqlite
  • %User Temp%\cookies.sqlite-wal
  • %User Temp%\pdfreader2020\unins000.exe
  • %User Temp%\pdfreader2020\pdfreader2020.exe
  • %User Temp%\pdfreader2020\unins000.dat
  • %User Temp%\cookies.sqlite-shm
  • %User Temp%\32489359.dat

Step 6

Search and delete these folders

[ Learn More ]
Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden folders in the search result.
  • %User Temp%\is-2EKLJ.tmp\_isetup
  • %User Temp%\pdfreader2020

Step 7

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TrojanSpy.Win32.SOCELARS.AFJZ. 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 the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:

Step 8

Restore these deleted registry keys/values from backup

*Note: Only Microsoft-related keys/values will be restored. If the malware/grayware also deleted registry keys/values related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on your computer.

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • RegFilesHash
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • RegFiles0000
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • Sequence
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • SessionHash
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • Owner


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.