Analysis by: Francis Xavier Antazo
 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel: Downloaded from the Internet

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.

It executes then deletes itself afterward.

It terminates itself if it detects it is being run in a virtual environment.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 40,960 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 06 Oct 2015
Payload: Sends messages

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 and executes them:

  • %User Temp%\tmpG{random}.tmp

(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.)

It executes then deletes itself afterward.

It terminates itself if it finds the following processes in the affected system's memory:

  • Netstat
  • SandboxieRpcSs
  • SandboxieDcomLaunch
  • FILEMON
  • PROCMON
  • REGMON
  • CAIN
  • NETMON
  • TCPVIEW
  • WIRESHARK

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
AdobeARNN = "%User Temp%\tmpG{random}.tmp"

Other System Modifications

This spyware adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
EnableLUA = "1"

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile
EnableFirewall = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {User Preference}.)

Information Theft

This spyware gathers the following data:

  • Chrome-stored username
  • Chrome-stored password
  • Chrome-stored origin url

Other Details

This spyware terminates itself if it detects it is being run in a virtual environment.

NOTES:

This spyware checks the following graphic devices that indicates it being run inside a virtual machine:

  • VMWARE SVGA II
  • VirtualBox Graphics Adapter
  • VM Additions S3 Trio32/64

It logs in Facebook and Twitter accounts using the stolen credentials. It sends updates on Facebook and tweets on Twitter specified by the spyware.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.750
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 11.964.04
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 06 Oct 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
    • AdobeARNN = "%User Temp%\tmpG{random}.tmp"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
    • EnableLUA = "1"

Step 5

Restore this modified 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_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile
    • From: EnableFirewall = "0"
      To: EnableFirewall = "{User Preference}"

Step 6

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