TSPY_EMOTET.CK
Backdoor.Win32.Androm.gxxr (Kaspersky), Trojan:Win32/Emotet.G (Microsoft), W32.Cridex.B (Symantec)
Windows
Threat Type: Spyware
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: Yes
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.
However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
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 copies of itself into the affected system:
- %Application Data%\([a-fA-F0-9]{32}).exe
(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming 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.)
It injects threads into the following normal process(es):
- explorer.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
([a-fA-F0-9]{32}) = %Application Data%\([a-fA-F0-9]{32}).exe
Other System Modifications
This spyware adds the following registry keys:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.([a-fA-F0-9]{4})\Q
Other Details
This spyware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:
- http://{IP}:8080/-1221566456/-203975778.php
- where IP can be any of the following:
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.222.31
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.32.42
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.252.88
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.233.226
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.40.103
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.203.42
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.85.58
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.7.92
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.165.84
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.3.15
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.49.59
However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
SOLUTION
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
Step 4
Delete this registry key
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_CLASSES_ROOT
- .([a-fA-F0-9]{4})
- .([a-fA-F0-9]{4})
Step 5
Delete this registry value
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
- ([a-fA-F0-9]{32}) = "%Application Data%\<i>([a-fA-F0-9]{32})</i>.exe"
- ([a-fA-F0-9]{32}) = "%Application Data%\<i>([a-fA-F0-9]{32})</i>.exe"
Step 6
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TSPY_EMOTET.CK. 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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