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TSPY_ZBOT.KXD

September 28, 2013
 Analysis by: Karl Dominguez
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW


This spyware attempts to steal information, such as user names and passwords, used when logging into certain banking or finance-related websites.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

139,776 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

15 Sep 2010

Infection Points

This spyware arrives as a file downloaded from the following URLs:

  • http://{BLOCKED}gcase.cc/20aug_denis

Installation

This spyware drops the following files:

  • %Application Data%\{random1}\{random}.exe
  • %Application Data%\{random2}\{random}.{random}

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

It creates the following folders:

  • %Application Data%\{random1}
  • %Application Data%\{random2}

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

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

  • explorer.exe
  • taskhost.exe
  • taskeng.exe
  • Dwm.exe
  • wscntfy.exe
  • ctfmon.exe
  • rdpclip.exe

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
{random CLSID} = %Application Data%\{random1}\{random}.exe

Other System Modifications

This spyware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
{random}

Download Routine

This spyware connects to the following URL(s) to download its configuration file:

  • http://{BLOCKED}gcase.cc/20aug_denis.cpm

Information Theft

This spyware attempts to access a website to download a file which contains information where the Trojan can download an updated copy of itself, and where to send its stolen data. This configuration file also contains the following list of targeted bank-related websites from which it steals information:

  • *hsbc.co.uk*bg.php*
  • http://www.nsbc.cc/hsbc/bg.php
  • *hsbc.co.uk*az.php*
  • http://www.nsbc.cc/az.js
  • *alliance*leicester.co.uk*bg.php*
  • http://www.mybank.alliance-leicester.cc/leicester/bg.php
  • *alliance*leicester.co.uk*leicesteraz.php*
  • http://www.mybank.alliance-leicester.cc/js/leicesteraz.js
  • *firstdirect.com*bg.php*
  • http://www1.banking.firstdirect.cc/first/bg.php
  • *firstdirect.com*firstaz.php*
  • http://www1.banking.firstdirect.cc/js/firstaz.js
  • *.firstdirect.com/1/2/*
  • *.mybank.alliance-leicester.co.uk*
  • *.hsbc.co.uk/1/2*

It attempts to steal information from the following banks and/or other financial institutions:

  • Alliance & Leicester
  • HSBC

Stolen Information

This spyware sends the gathered information via HTTP POST to the following URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}eldforu.cc/yahooman.php

Variant Information

This spyware has the following MD5 hashes:

  • c1c51b3b311e16acac179a3f9d480343

It has the following SHA1 hashes:

  • ba5b012fd9621bf068765757ddca042f2f94fa09

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

8.900

VSAPI PATTERN File:

not yet patched

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

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as TSPY_ZBOT.KXD

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 CLSID} = %Application Data%\{random1}\{random}.exe

Step 5

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
    • {random}

Step 6

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.
%Application Data%\{random1} 
%Application Data%\{random2} 

Step 7

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