TSPY_SHIZ.MJSU

September 03, 2015
 Analysis by: Sammy Chua
 ALIASES:

Win32/Spy.Shiz.NCP (ESET-NOD32); Infostealer.Shiz (Symantec); Spyware.Shifu (Malwarebytes)

 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 malware is related to the attack on certain banking organizations in Japan on late August/Early September 2015. Users with systems affected by this malware may find their online banking accounts compromised.

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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

356,352 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

18 Aug 2015

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 files:

  • {Common AppData}\{random file name 1}.exe
  • %User Temp%\{random file name 2}
  • {Random Known Folder}\{random file name 3}.tmp.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
IntelPowerAgent{random number} = "rundll32.exe shell32.dll, ShellExec_RunDLL {Common AppData}\{random file name 1}.exe"

Other Details

This spyware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • https://{BLOCKED}azce-ru.com/news/userlogin.php

NOTES:

The values for "{Random Known Folder}" may be any of the following:

  • {Common AppData}
  • %AppDataLocal%
  • %Application Data%
  • %User Profile%

(Note: {Common AppData} is the Common AppData folder or All Users' AppData folder, usually is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\ProgramData 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.)

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.750

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

11.868.05

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

22 Aug 2015

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

11.869.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

22 Aug 2015

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
    • IntelPowerAgent{random number} = "rundll32.exe shell32.dll, ShellExec_RunDLL {Common AppData}\{random file name 1}.exe"

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.  
  • {Common AppData}\{random file name 1}.exe
  • %User Temp%\{random file name 2}
  • {Random Known Folder}\{random file name 3}.tmp.bat

Step 6

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