TSPY_EMOTET.THJOIAH


 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 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.

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

139,264 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

08 Oct 2018

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 drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Windows\rowsetwindow.exe -> Drops when file is run without admin rights
  • %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Windows\{Random Filename}.exe ->Drops when file is run without admin rights
  • %System%\routedwindow.exe -> Drops when file is run with admin rights
  • %System%\{Random Filename}.exe -> Drops when file is run with admin rights

(Note: %AppDataLocal% is the Local Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
rowsetwindow = "%AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Windows\rowsetwindow.exe"

Other System Modifications

This Trojan Spy modifies the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Controls Folder\
PowerCfg
LastID = "5"

Other Details

This Trojan Spy connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.10.64/
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.56.6:443/

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

14.554.03

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

09 Oct 2018

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

14.555.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

10 Oct 2018

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

Note that not all files, folders, and registry keys and entries are installed on your computer during this malware's/spyware's/grayware's execution. This may be due to incomplete installation or other operating system conditions. If you do not find the same files/folders/registry information, please proceed to the next step.

Step 3

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\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • rowsetwindow = "%AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Windows\rowsetwindow.exe"

Step 4

Restore this modified 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\Windows\CurrentVersion\Controls Folder\PowerCfg
    • From: LastID = "5"
      To: LastID = {User Dependent Value}

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.  
  • %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Windows\rowsetwindow.exe -> Drops when file is run without admin rights
  • %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Windows\{Random Filename}.exe ->Drops when file is run without admin rights
  • %System%\routedwindow.exe -> Drops when file is run with admin rights
  • %System%\{Random Filename}.exe -> Drops when file is run with admin rights

Step 6

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TSPY_EMOTET.THJOIAH. 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:


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