TSPY_ZBOT.CAV

 Analysis by: Marfel Tiamzon

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, XP, 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 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. Once users access any of the monitored sites, it starts logging keystrokes.

It attempts to get information from a list of banks or financial institutions.

It checks for the presence of the following processes which are related to Outpost Personal Firewall and ZoneLabs Firewall Client:

  • outpost.exe
  • zlclient.exe

It terminates if either of the said processes exist. This is to ensure that it runs uninterrupted. It also has rootkit capabilities, which enables it to hide its processes and files from the user.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

117,024 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

17 Aug 2010

Installation

This spyware drops copies of itself in the Windows system folder and appends garbage code to the dropped copy to avoid easy detection. The dropped copies uses the following file names:

  • sdra64.exe

It then creates the following non-malicious file(s):

  • %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\System32.)

It creates the following folders with attributes set to System and Hidden to prevent users from discovering and removing its components:

  • %System%\lowsec

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)

It adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:

  • _AVIRA_2108
  • _AVIRA_2109

It injects itself into the following processes as part of its memory residency routine:

  • SVCHOST.EXE
  • WINLOGON.EXE

Autostart Technique

This spyware adds the following registry entries 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 spyware 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}

Information Theft

This spyware 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.

Once users access any of the monitored sites, it starts logging keystrokes.

The downloaded file contains information where the malware can download an updated copy of itself, and where to send its stolen data.

Note that the contents of the file, hence the list of websites to monitor, may change any time.

Attacked Entities

This spyware attempts to get information from a list of banks or financial institutions.

Stolen Information

This spyware saves the stolen information in the following file:

  • %System%\lowsec\user.ds

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)

Other Details

This spyware checks for the presence of the following processes which are related to Outpost Personal Firewall and ZoneLabs Firewall Client:

  • outpost.exe
  • zlclient.exe

It terminates if either of the said processes exist. This is to ensure that it runs uninterrupted. It also has rootkit capabilities, which enables it to hide its processes and files from the user.

It did not exhibit backdoor routines during testing.

Variant Information

This spyware has the following MD5 hashes:

  • bb91c41acba61f2d3006437c54e6db10

It has the following SHA1 hashes:

  • 1a9212d1751fca0d2dab9a499c4b98e6221a42d5

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

8.900

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

Since this malware cannot be removed in normal and safe mode, it is necessary to restart using the Windows Recovery Console. To restart the system using the Windows Recovery Console:

• On Windows XP and Server 2003 systems:

  1. Click Start>Run. In the Open input box, type secpol.msc and press Enter.
  2. In the left panel, double-click Local Policies>Security Options.
  3. In the right panel, double-click Recovery Console: Allow floppy copy and access to all drives and folders.
  4. Select Enabled and click OK.
  5. Insert the Windows Installation CD into the CD drive, then restart your computer.
  6. When prompted, press any key to boot from the CD.
  7. On the main menu, type r to go to the Recovery Console.
  8. Type the number that corresponds to the drive and directory that contains Windows (usually C:\WINDOWS) and press Enter.
  9. Type the Administrator password and press Enter.
  10. In the input box, type the following then press Enter:
    SET AllowAllPaths = TRUE
DATA_GENERIC
  • Type exit and press Enter to restart the system normally.
  • • On Windows Vista and 7 systems:

    1. Insert your Windows Installation DVD in the DVD drive, then Press the restart button.
    2. When prompted, press any key to boot from the DVD.
    3. Depending on your Windows Installation DVD, you might be required to select the installation language. Then on the Install Windows window, choose your language, locale, and keyboard layout or input method. Click Next, then click Repair your computer.
    4. Select Use recovery tools that can help fix problems starting Windows. Select your installation of Windows. Click Next.
    5. If the Startup Repair window appears, click Cancel, Yes, then Finish.
    6. In the System Recovery Options window, click Command Prompt.
    7. In the Command Prompt window, type the following then press Enter:
      DATA_GENERIC
      (Note: In Windows 7, all local drives will be assigned one more than normal. For example, the C: drive becomes D:.)
    8. Type exit and press Enter to close the Command Prompt window.
    9. Click Restart to restart the system normally.

    Step 3

    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.

    RESTORE
  • Close Registry Editor.
  • 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.

    RESTORE
  • Close Registry Editor.
  • Step 5

    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. DATA_GENERIC
  • In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer, then press Enter.
  • Once located, select the folder then press SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the folder.
  • Repeat steps 2 to 4 for the remaining folders:
      DATA_GENERIC

  • Step 6

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