TSPY_EMOTET.THAAACAH

November 22, 2018
 Analysis by: Noel Anthony Llimos
 ALIASES:

Trojan-Banker.Win32.Emotet.bpek (Kaspersky)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Trojan Spy

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Trojan Spy 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:

462,848 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

12 Nov 2018

Arrival Details

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

  • %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Windows\{Random File Name}.exe -> Without admin rights
  • %System%\(Random File Name}.exe -> With admin rights

(Note: %AppDataLocal% is the Local Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{Random File Name} = "%AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Windows\{Random File Name}.exe"

It starts the following services:

  • Service Name: {Random File Name}
  • Image Path: "%System%\(Random File Name}.exe"

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

Other Details

This Trojan Spy connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.174.149
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.50.60
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.59.231
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.147.8
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.186.155
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.21.143
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.65.50
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.206.16
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.49.123
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.72.201
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.86.72

It deletes itself after execution.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

14.624.04

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

13 Nov 2018

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

14.625.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

14 Nov 2018

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
    • {Random File Name} = "%AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Windows\{Random File Name}.exe"

Step 5

Search and delete these files

[ 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.
  • %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Windows\{Random File Name}.exe -> Without admin rights
  • %System%\(Random File Name}.exe -> With admin rights

Step 6

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

Step 7

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. DATA_GENERIC
  • In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer then press Enter.
  • Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
    *Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).

    • • For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:

    1. Open a Windows Explorer window.
      • For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
      • For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen,then click File Explorer.
    2. In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
      DATA_GENERIC
    3. Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
      *Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.


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