TrojanSpy.Win32.ZBOT.CBX

 Analysis by: Noel Anthony Llimos

 ALIASES:

Trojan-Spy.Win32.Zbot.zmxn (KASPERSKY)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan Spy

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Trojan Spy 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:

1,814,528 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

13 Mar 2019

Arrival Details

This Trojan Spy 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 Trojan Spy drops the following files:

  • %AppDataLocal%\Nole
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 1}\{Random File Name}.exe
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 1}\Uqpeavpe.liy
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 1}\GDI32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 1}\USER32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 1}\msvcrt.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 1}\UxTheme.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 1}\IMM32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 1}\dwmredir.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 1}\dwmcore.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 2}\{Random File Name}.exe
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 2}\Obevene.aci
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 2}\msvcrt.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 2}\ole32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 2}\ADVAPI32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 2}\WINMM.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\Temp\2294291.od
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 3}\{Random File Name}.exe
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 3}\Ifseqoup.cue
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 3}\ADVAPI32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 3}\USER32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 3}\msvcrt.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 3}\ole32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 3}\OLEAUT32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 4}\{Random File Name}.exe
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 4}\Uhantofe.ubi
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 4}\ADVAPI32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 4}\USER32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 4}\msvcrt.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 4}\OLEAUT32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 4}\ole32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\{Random File Name}.exe
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\Nazie.arw
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\ADVAPI32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\GDI32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\USER32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\msvcrt.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\SHLWAPI.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\ole32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\OLEAUT32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\COMCTL32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\UxTheme.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\DUI70.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\RPCRT4.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\WindowsCodecs.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\{Random File Name}.exe
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\Akryaqle.ozy
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\ADVAPI32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\GDI32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\USER32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\MFC42u.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\msvcrt.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\SHLWAPI.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\ole32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\WINSPOOL.DRV
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\COMCTL32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\OLEAUT32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\UxTheme.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\CRYPT32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\SETUPAPI.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\COMDLG32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\WINMM.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\WS2_32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\credui.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\ATL.DLL

(Note: %AppDataLocal% is the Local Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder Name 1}
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder Name 2}
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder Name 3}
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder Name 4}
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder Name 6}
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder Name 5}

(Note: %AppDataLocal% is the Local Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

Autostart Technique

This Trojan Spy adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{Random Name} = %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder Name}\{Random File name}.exe

Other Details

This Trojan Spy connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • sy{BLOCKED}e.info

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

14.868.08

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

13 Mar 2019

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

14.867.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

14 Mar 2019

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 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
    • {Random Name} = %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder Name}\{Random File name}.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.
  • %AppDataLocal%\Nole
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 1}\{Random File Name}.exe
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 1}\Uqpeavpe.liy
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 1}\GDI32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 1}\USER32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 1}\msvcrt.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 1}\UxTheme.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 1}\IMM32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 1}\dwmredir.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 1}\dwmcore.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 2}\{Random File Name}.exe
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 2}\Obevene.aci
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 2}\msvcrt.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 2}\ole32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 2}\ADVAPI32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 2}\WINMM.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\Temp\2294291.od
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 3}\{Random File Name}.exe
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 3}\Ifseqoup.cue
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 3}\ADVAPI32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 3}\USER32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 3}\msvcrt.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 3}\ole32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 3}\OLEAUT32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 4}\{Random File Name}.exe
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 4}\Uhantofe.ubi
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 4}\ADVAPI32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 4}\USER32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 4}\msvcrt.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 4}\OLEAUT32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 4}\ole32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\{Random File Name}.exe
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\Nazie.arw
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\ADVAPI32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\GDI32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\USER32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\msvcrt.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\SHLWAPI.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\ole32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\OLEAUT32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\COMCTL32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\UxTheme.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\DUI70.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\RPCRT4.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 5}\WindowsCodecs.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\{Random File Name}.exe
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\Akryaqle.ozy
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\ADVAPI32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\GDI32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\USER32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\MFC42u.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\msvcrt.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\SHLWAPI.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\ole32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\WINSPOOL.DRV
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\COMCTL32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\OLEAUT32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\UxTheme.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\CRYPT32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\SETUPAPI.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\COMDLG32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\WINMM.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\WS2_32.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\credui.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder 6}\ATL.DLL

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.
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder Name 1}
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder Name 2}
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder Name 3}
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder Name 4}
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder Name 6}
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Folder Name 5}

Step 7

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TrojanSpy.Win32.ZBOT.CBX. 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.


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.