TSPY_ZBOT.JNESP

January 29, 2016
 Analysis by: Jeanne Jocson
 ALIASES:

PWS:Win32/Zbot!CI(Microsoft),Trojan-Spy.Win32.Zbot(Ikarus),

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware

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 creates registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup.

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

186368 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

22 Jan 2016

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs

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 a copy of itself in the following folders using different file names:

  • %Appdata%\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe

It adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:

  • Global\{GUID}
  • Local\{GUID}

It injects threads into the following normal process(es):

  • explorer.exe

Autostart Technique

This spyware creates the following registry entries to enable automatic execution of dropped component at every system startup:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\Currentversion\Run
{random} = "%Appdata%\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe"

Other System Modifications

This spyware adds the following registry keys:

HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
{random}
{random} = ""

Information Theft

This spyware gathers the following data:

  • Data on Cookie files

Other Details

This spyware connects to the following URL(s) to check for an Internet connection:

  • http://www.google.com/webhp

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

Mobile Malware Routine

This spyware accesses the following possibly malicious URL(s):

  • http://{BLOCKED}tipler.org/ib.php|file=a.bin

NOTES:

It lowers the Internet Explorer security settings by adding and modifying following registry entries:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\0
1609 = 0x00000000

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\1
1406 = 0x00000000

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\1
1609 = 0x00000000

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\2
1609 = 0x00000000

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3
1406 = 0x00000000

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3
1609 = 0x00000000

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\4
1406 = 0x00000000

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\4
1609 = 0x00000000

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

12.302.06

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

28 Jan 2015

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

12.303.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

29 Jan 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
    • {random} = "%Appdata%\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe"

Step 5

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.
  • %Appdata%\{random folder name}

Step 6

Reset Internet security settings

[ Learn More ]

Step 7

Delete these registry values

[ Learn More ]

Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this only if you know how to or you can seek your system administrator’s help. You may also check out this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

 
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Privacy
    • CleanCookies = 0x00000000

Step 8

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

Step 9

The following created files/folders/registry keys/registry entries cannot be identified by the user since there are no reference values in the created key. The only way it can be identified is by comparing the present system information with a backup. Note that the said components do not have to be deleted since it won't be harmful to the system.

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft{random}
    • {random} = ""


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