TSPY_VOBFUS_BH0101E4.TOMC

June 01, 2013
 ALIASES:

Worm:Win32/Vobfus.EG (Microsoft); VBObfus.dr (McAfee); W32.Changeup!gen20 (Symantec); Trojan.Win32.SuperThreat.m (Kaspersky); Trojan.Win32.Vobfus.a (v) (Sunbelt); Gen:Variant.Barys.545 (FSecure)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 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 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:

102,400 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

30 Nov 2012

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 creates the following folders:

  • %Program Files%\Common Files\Shell

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (64-bit).)

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
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /V"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /v"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /W"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /d"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /A"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /s"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /t"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /w"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /l"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /u"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /C"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /h"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /S"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /Q"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /R"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /F"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /M"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /o"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /n"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /P"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /I"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /g"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /p"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /U"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /K"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /b"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /H"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /J"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /y"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
ShellThumbnail = "%Program Files%\Common Files\Shell\ShellThumbnail.exe /u"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
ciesi = "%User Profile%\ciesi.exe /l"

It registers as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup by adding the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\.ipsec

Other System Modifications

This spyware deletes the following files:

  • %User Profile%\qdfoux.exe

(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.)

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
ShowSuperHidden = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\
AU
NoAutoUpdate = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\.ipsec
Type = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\.ipsec
Start = "3"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\.ipsec
ImagePath = "\?"

Dropping Routine

This spyware drops the following files:

  • U
  • L
  • 2387fd88\L\suianxvn
  • 2387fd88\@
  • 2387fd88\cfg.ini
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\Shell\ShellThumbnail.exe

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (64-bit).)

Other Details

This spyware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://databases.{BLOCKED}d.me:60077/a.php

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

Delete this registry key

[ 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\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services
    • .ipsec

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
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /V"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /v"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /W"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /d"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /A"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /s"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /t"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /w"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /l"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /u"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /C"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /h"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /S"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /Q"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /R"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /F"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /M"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /o"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /n"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /P"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /I"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /g"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /p"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /U"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /K"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /b"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /H"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /J"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • qdfoux = "%User Profile%\qdfoux.exe /y"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • ShellThumbnail = "%Program Files%\Common Files\Shell\ShellThumbnail.exe /u"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • ciesi = "%User Profile%\ciesi.exe /l"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
    • ShowSuperHidden = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU
    • NoAutoUpdate = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\.ipsec
    • Type = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\.ipsec
    • Start = "3"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\.ipsec
    • ImagePath = "\?"

Step 5

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.
  • U
  • L
  • 2387fd88\L\suianxvn
  • 2387fd88\@
  • 2387fd88\cfg.ini
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\Shell\ShellThumbnail.exe

Step 6

Search and delete this folder

[ 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.
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\Shell

Step 7

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TSPY_VOBFUS_BH0101E4.TOMC. 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 8

Restore this file from backup only Microsoft-related files will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted files related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on you computer again.

  • %User Profile%\qdfoux.exe


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