TSPY_ZBOT.XPSM

 Analysis by: Sammy Chua

 ALIASES:

Win32/Spy.Zbot.ACB (NOD32); Trojan-Spy.Win32.Zbot.vysm (Kaspersky); TR/Spy.ZBot.duieff (Avira);

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • 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.

It modifies the Internet Explorer Zone Settings.

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible. It deletes the initially executed copy of itself.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

262,656 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Initial Samples Received Date:

02 Feb 2016

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 files:

  • %Application Data%\{random folder 1}\{random file name 1}.exe - also detected as TSPY_ZBOT.XPSM
  • %Application Data%\{random folder 2}\{random file name 2}.{random extension}
  • %Application Data%\{random folder 2}\{random file name 2}.tmp

(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 creates the following folders:

  • %Application Data%\{random folder 1}
  • %Application Data%\{random folder 2}

(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.)

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} = "%Application Data%\{random folder 1}\{random filename 1}.exe"

Other System Modifications

This spyware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
{random key}

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
{random key}
{random} = "{random values}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\
List
%Windows%\explorer.exe = "%Windows%\explorer.exe:*:Enabled:Windows Explorer"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\
List
%System%\explorer.exe = "%System%\explorer.exe:*:Enabled:Windows Explorer"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
WarnonBadCertRecving = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
EnableSPDY3_0 = "0"

Web Browser Home Page and Search Page Modification

This spyware modifies the Internet Explorer Zone Settings.

Other Details

This spyware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}n.su/rp.jpg

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

It deletes the initially executed copy of itself

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

NOTES:

Trend customers:

    Keep your pattern and scan engine files updated. Trend Micro antivirus software can clean or remove most types of computer threats. Malware, though, such as Trojans, scripts, overwriting viruses and joke programs which are identified as uncleanable, should simply be deleted.

All Internet users:

  • Use HouseCall - the Trend Micro online threat scanner to check for malware that may already be on your PC.
  • Catch malware/grayware before they affect your PC or network. Secure your Web world with Trend Micro products that offer the best anti-threat and content security solutions for home users, corporate users, and ISPs. Go here for more information on Trend Micro products that fit your needs.


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