TSPY_URSNIF.KDQ

May 09, 2016
 Analysis by: Jennifer Gumban
 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 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 the initially executed copy of itself.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

332,288 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

05 Feb 2016

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 drops the following copies of itself into the affected system and executes them:

  • %Application Data%\{8 character string}\{8 character string}.exe

(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)

It drops and executes the following files:

  • %User Temp%\{random string}\{random string}.bat

(Note: %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)

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
{8 character string} = "%Application Data%\{8 character string}\{8 character string}.exe"

Other System Modifications

This spyware adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\
Software\Microsoft\{GUID}
{Value Name} = "{hex values}"

where {Value Name} may any of the following:
LastTask
Client
Temp
Install
Files
Ini
Exec
Run

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\
Software\Microsoft\(GUID)
{GUID 2} = "{hex values}"

Other Details

This spyware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{pseudo random domain}.com/images/{random path}.{gif/bmp}

It deletes the initially executed copy of itself

NOTES:

It injects codes into the following process(es):

  • explorer.exe
  • opera.exe
  • chrome.exe
  • iexplore.exe
  • firefox.exe

It checks registries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\KasperskyLab

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\BitDefender

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ESET

It sniffs keystrokes.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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
    • {8 character string} = "%Application Data%\{8 character string}\{8 character string}.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\Software\Microsoft\{GUID}
    • {Value Name} = "{hex 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.
  • %User Temp%\{random string}\{random string}.bat

Step 6

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