TSPY_ZBOT.IXJ
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
Threat Type: Spyware
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: Yes
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
Spammed via email, Downloaded from the Internet
This spyware arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users. It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.
It modifies the Internet Explorer Zone Settings.
As of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
It attempts to steal sensitive online banking information, such as user names and passwords. This routine risks the exposure of the user's account information, which may then lead to the unauthorized use of the stolen data. Once users access any of the monitored sites, it starts logging keystrokes.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
151,040 bytes
EXE
Yes
20 Apr 2012
Steals information, Drops files, Downloads files, Connects to URLs/IPs
Arrival Details
This spyware arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users.
It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.
Installation
This spyware drops the following files:
- %User Profile%\Application Data\{random2}\{random}.{random ext}
(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name} on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name} on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)
It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:
- %User Profile%\Application Data\{random1}\{random}.exe
(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name} on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name} on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)
It creates the following folders:
- %User Profile%\Application Data\{random1}
- %User Profile%\Application Data\{random2}
(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name} on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name} on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)
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
{GUID} = "%User Profile%\Application Data\{random1}\{random}.exe"
Other System Modifications
This spyware adds the following registry keys as part of its installation routine:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
{random}
Web Browser Home Page and Search Page Modification
This spyware modifies the Internet Explorer Zone Settings.
Download Routine
This spyware connects to the following URL(s) to download its configuration file:
- http://{BLOCKED}asatiempo.com/101.jpg
As of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
Information Theft
This spyware attempts to steal sensitive online banking information, such as user names and passwords. This routine risks the exposure of the user's account information, which may then lead to the unauthorized use of the stolen data.
Once users access any of the monitored sites, it starts logging keystrokes.
The downloaded file contains information where the malware can download an updated copy of itself, and where to send its stolen data.
SOLUTION
9.200
8.926.09
20 Apr 2012
8.927.00
21 Apr 2012
Step 1
For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.
Step 2
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as TSPY_ZBOT.IXJ
Step 3
Restart in Safe Mode
Step 4
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
- {GUID} = "%User Profile%\Application Data\{random1}\{random}.exe"
- {GUID} = "%User Profile%\Application Data\{random1}\{random}.exe"
Step 5
Search and delete this file
- %User Profile%\Application Data\{random2}\{random}.{random ext}
Step 6
Search and delete these folders
- %User Profile%\Application Data\{random1}
- %User Profile%\Application Data\{random2}
Step 7
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TSPY_ZBOT.IXJ. 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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