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TSPY_ZBOT.TAF

October 08, 2012
 PLATFORM:

Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Trojan may be dropped by other malware. It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites. However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

It attempts to steal sensitive online banking information, such as user names and passwords. This routine risks the exposure of the user's account information, which may then lead to the unauthorized use of the stolen data.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

115,200 bytes

File Type:

PE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

03 Aug 2010

Arrival Details

This Trojan may be dropped by other malware.

It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

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

Installation

This Trojan adds the following folders:

  • %System%\lowsec

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\System32 on Windows NT and 2000, or C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP and Server 2003.)

It drops the following files:

  • %System%\lowsec\sdra64.exe - copy of itself
  • %System%\lowsec\local.ds - copy of the encrypted downloaded file
  • %System%\lowsec\user.ds - used to save the gathered information

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\System32 on Windows NT and 2000, or C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP and Server 2003.)

It is injected into the following processes running in memory:

  • SVCHOST.EXE
  • WINLOGON.EXE

Autostart Technique

This Trojan modifies the following registry entry(ies) to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Userinit = %System%\userinit.exe, %System%\sdra64.exe,

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %System%\userinit.exe,.)

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Network
UID = {Computer name}_{Random numbers}

HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\{19127AD2-394B-70F5-C650-B97867BAA1F7}
"" = ""

HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\{43BF8CD1-C5D5-2230-7BB2-98F22C2B7DC6}
"" = ""

HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\{4B19E1F3-5B47-C615-C75A-E0FD63DB477F}
"" = ""

HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\
Microsoft\Protected Storage System Provider
"" = ""

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile
EnableFirewall = 0

Information Theft

This Trojan attempts to steal sensitive online banking information, such as user names and passwords. This routine risks the exposure of the user's account information, which may then lead to the unauthorized use of the stolen data.

It accesses the following site to download its configuration file:

  • http://joysmovie.org/sda/66/cfg.bin

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

8.900

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

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 NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
    • From: Userinit =%System%\userinit.exe, %System%\sdra64.exe,
      To: %System%\userinit.exe,

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Network
    • UID ={Computer name}_{Random numbers}
  • In HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
    • {19127AD2-394B-70F5-C650-B97867BAA1F7}
  • In HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
    • {43BF8CD1-C5D5-2230-7BB2-98F22C2B7DC6}
  • In HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
    • {4B19E1F3-5B47-C615-C75A-E0FD63DB477F}
  • In HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\
    • Protected Storage System Provider
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile
    • EnableFirewall=0

Step 4

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