TSPY_ZBOT.SMIE
VirTool:Win32/DelfInject.gen!L (Microsoft); Spy-Agent.dp.gen (McAfee)
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
![](/vinfo/imgFiles/legend.jpg)
Threat Type: Spyware
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: No
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.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Varies
PE
Yes
25 Feb 2011
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:
- %System%\twext.exe
(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)
It drops the following files:
- %System%\twain_32\local.ds
- %System%\twain_32\user.ds
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Application Data\twain_32\user.ds
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Application Data\twain_32\user.ds
(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.. %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)
It creates the following folders:
- %System%\twain_32
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Application Data\twain_32
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Application Data\twain_32
(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.. %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)
Autostart Technique
This spyware modifies the following registry entries to ensure it automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Userinit = "%System%\userinit.exe,%System%\twext.exe,"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %System%\userinit.exe,.)
Other System Modifications
This spyware adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Network
UID = "TEU-WINXPSP2_{random hexadecimal number}"
SOLUTION
8.900
7.876.04
04 Mar 2011
7.877.00
04 Mar 2011
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
Identify and delete files detected as TSPY_ZBOT.SMIE using either the Startup Disk or Recovery Console
Step 3
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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Network
- UID = "TEU-WINXPSP2_{random hexadecimal number}"
Step 4
Restore this modified 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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
- From: Userinit = "%System%\userinit.exe,%System%\twext.exe,"
To: Userinit = "%System%\userinit.exe,"
- From: Userinit = "%System%\userinit.exe,%System%\twext.exe,"
Step 5
Search and delete this folder
- %System%\twain_32
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Application Data\twain_32
- %System Root%\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Application Data\twain_32
Step 6
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TSPY_ZBOT.SMIE. 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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