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TSPY_ZBOT.SM0A

June 18, 2013
 ALIASES:

PWS:Win32/Zbot.gen!AJ (Microsoft); PWS-Zbot.gen.asz (McAfee); Trojan.Ranbot!gen1 (Symantec); Trojan-Spy.Win32.Zbot.hcer (Kaspersky); Lookslike.Win32.Sirefef.w (v) (Sunbelt); Trojan horse PSW.Generic10.AUMU (AVG)

 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 deletes itself after execution.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

243,712 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

28 Mar 2013

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 creates the following folders:

  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Heymiz
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Mouk
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Ypheig

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

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Ilvauhwary = "%User Profile%\Heymiz\cykie.exe"

Other System Modifications

This spyware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Echoro

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Privacy

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Echoro
Teoft = "{random values}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Privacy
CleanCookies = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Account Manager
Server ID = "4"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
WAB\WAB4
FirstRun = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
WAB\WAB4
OlkContactRefresh = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
WAB\WAB4
OlkFolderRefresh = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Account Manager\Accounts
ConnectionSettingsMigrated = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities\{341F68BA-C841-4200-A7B4-3D5CFF202166}\
Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express\
5.0
StoreMigratedV5 = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities\{341F68BA-C841-4200-A7B4-3D5CFF202166}\
Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express\
5.0
Settings Upgraded = "7"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities\{341F68BA-C841-4200-A7B4-3D5CFF202166}\
Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express\
5.0
Running = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Account Manager\Accounts
AssociatedID = "{random values}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities\{341F68BA-C841-4200-A7B4-3D5CFF202166}\
Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express\
5.0
Running = "0"

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
Zones\0
1609 = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
Zones\1
1406 = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
Zones\1
1609 = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
Zones\2
1609 = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
Zones\3
1406 = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 3.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
Zones\3
1609 = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
Zones\4
1406 = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 3.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
Zones\4
1609 = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities
Last Username = "Main Identity"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is Main Identity.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities
Last User ID = "{341F68BA-C841-4200-A7B4-3D5CFF202166}"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {C0FE0177-5693-4537-9331-A7402AD82D40}.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities
Identity Login = "9853"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 98053.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities
Identity Ordinal = "2"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)

Dropping Routine

This spyware drops the following files:

  • %User Profile%\Heymiz\cykie.exe
  • %User Profile%\Mouk\axley.myw
  • %User Profile%\Ypheig\tyzag.hiu
  • %Application Data%\Identities\{341F68BA-C841-4200-A7B4-3D5CFF202166}\Microsoft\Outlook Express\Sent Items.dbx

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

Other Details

This spyware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}urposes.info/plains.php

It deletes itself after execution.

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

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

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
    • Echoro
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer
    • Privacy
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
    • Uninstall

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\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • Ilvauhwary = "%User Profile%\Heymiz\cykie.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Echoro
    • Teoft = "{random values}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Privacy
    • CleanCookies = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Account Manager
    • Server ID = "4"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB\WAB4
    • FirstRun = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB\WAB4
    • OlkContactRefresh = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB\WAB4
    • OlkFolderRefresh = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Account Manager\Accounts
    • ConnectionSettingsMigrated = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities\{341F68BA-C841-4200-A7B4-3D5CFF202166}\Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express\5.0
    • StoreMigratedV5 = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities\{341F68BA-C841-4200-A7B4-3D5CFF202166}\Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express\5.0
    • Settings Upgraded = "7"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities\{341F68BA-C841-4200-A7B4-3D5CFF202166}\Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express\5.0
    • Running = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Account Manager\Accounts
    • AssociatedID = "{random values}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities\{341F68BA-C841-4200-A7B4-3D5CFF202166}\Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express\5.0
    • Running = "0"

Step 5

Restore these modified registry values

[ Learn More ]

Important:Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this only if you know how to or you can seek your system administrator's help. You may also check out this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\0
    • From: 1609 = "0"
      To: 1609 = ""1""
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\1
    • From: 1406 = "0"
      To: 1406 = ""1""
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\1
    • From: 1609 = "0"
      To: 1609 = ""1""
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\2
    • From: 1609 = "0"
      To: 1609 = ""1""
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3
    • From: 1406 = "0"
      To: 1406 = ""3""
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3
    • From: 1609 = "0"
      To: 1609 = ""1""
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\4
    • From: 1406 = "0"
      To: 1406 = ""3""
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\4
    • From: 1609 = "0"
      To: 1609 = ""1""
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities
    • From: Last Username = "Main Identity"
      To: Last Username = ""Main Identity""
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities
    • From: Last User ID = "{341F68BA-C841-4200-A7B4-3D5CFF202166}"
      To: Last User ID = ""{C0FE0177-5693-4537-9331-A7402AD82D40}""
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities
    • From: Identity Login = "9853"
      To: Identity Login = ""98053""
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities
    • From: Identity Ordinal = "2"
      To: Identity Ordinal = ""1""

Step 6

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 Profile%\Heymiz\cykie.exe
  • %User Profile%\Mouk\axley.myw
  • %User Profile%\Ypheig\tyzag.hiu
  • %Application Data%\Identities\{341F68BA-C841-4200-A7B4-3D5CFF202166}\Microsoft\Outlook Express\Sent Items.dbx

Step 7

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 Profile%\Application Data\Heymiz
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Mouk
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Ypheig

Step 8

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TSPY_ZBOT.SM0A. 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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