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TSPY_WOWSTEAL.ER

October 09, 2012
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

It drops files into legitimate folders to trick a user into thinking they are part of legitimate applications.

It connects to a website to send and receive information.

It uses file names similar to those of legitimate applications to trick a user into thinking they are legitimate.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

38,406 bytes

File Type:

DLL

File Compression:

UPX

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

07 Jun 2012

Arrival Details

This spyware 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 spyware leaves the following text files:

  • %User Temp%\Usp10.dll
  • %User Temp%\Usp10.dll.dll

(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.)

It drops files into legitimate folders to trick a user into thinking they are part of legitimate applications.

Other System Modifications

This spyware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
SearchHidden = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
IncludeSubFolders = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
SearchSystemDirs = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
CaseSensitive = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
sethc.exe
debugger = "cmd.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\
Enum\Root\LEGACY_FASTFAT\
0000\Control
ActiveService = "Fastfat"

Backdoor Routine

This spyware connects to the following websites to send and receive information:

  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.208.100
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.29.165
  • www.{BLOCKED}hui.com
  • www.{BLOCKED}O.cn
  • www.{BLOCKED}0.net
  • {BLOCKED}na.com

Other Details

This spyware uses file names similar to those of legitimate applications to trick a user into thinking they are legitimate.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.200

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

09.176.06

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

08 Jun 2012

Step 1

For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.

Step 2

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • SearchHidden = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • IncludeSubFolders = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • SearchSystemDirs = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
    • CaseSensitive = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\sethc.exe
    • debugger = "cmd.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root\LEGACY_FASTFAT\0000\Control
    • ActiveService = "Fastfat"

Step 4

Search and delete these files

[ Learn More ]
There may be some component 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%\Usp10.dll
  • %User Temp%\Usp10.dll.dll

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TSPY_WOWSTEAL.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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