TSPY_SPATET


 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 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 disables Task Manager, Registry Editor, and Folder Options.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

647,168 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

12 Aug 2013

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:

  • %Windows%\Windows.dll

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows.)

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
Windows = "%Windows%\Windows.dll"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Active Setup\Installed Components\{1221254T-0T64-181A-O2IW-A810J2EET031}
StubPath = "%Windows%\Windows.dll Restart"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Active Setup\Installed Components\{1221254T-0T64-181A-O2IW-A810J2EET031}
StubPath = "%Windows%\Windows.dll"

Other System Modifications

This spyware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer\Run

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer\Run

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Active Setup\Installed Components\{1221254T-0T64-181A-O2IW-A810J2EET031}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\WindowsNT

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
Explorer\Run
ctfmon = "%Windows%\Windows.dll"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WindowsNT
FirstExecution = "02/08/2013 -- 09:36"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WindowsNT
NewIdentification = "WindowsNT"

It creates the following registry entry(ies) to disable Task Manager, Registry Tools and Folder Options:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer\Run
ctfmon = "%Windows%\Windows.dll"

It deletes the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Active Setup\Installed Components\{1221254T-0T64-181A-O2IW-A810J2EET031}

Dropping Routine

This spyware drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\XX--XX--XX.txt
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\logs.dat
  • %User Temp%\XxX.xXx
  • %User Temp%\UuU.uUu

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.)

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

Enable Registry Editor, Task Manager, and Folder options

[ Learn More ]
By doing this step, you also enable other applications/programs disabled by this malware/grayware/spyware.

Step 4

Delete this registry key

[ 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_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
    • Run
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
    • Run
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components
    • {1221254T-0T64-181A-O2IW-A810J2EET031}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE
    • WindowsNT

Step 5

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
    • Windows = "%Windows%\Windows.dll"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{1221254T-0T64-181A-O2IW-A810J2EET031}
    • StubPath = "%Windows%\Windows.dll Restart"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{1221254T-0T64-181A-O2IW-A810J2EET031}
    • StubPath = "%Windows%\Windows.dll"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer\Run
    • ctfmon = "%Windows%\Windows.dll"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WindowsNT
    • FirstExecution = "02/08/2013 -- 09:36"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WindowsNT
    • NewIdentification = "WindowsNT"

Step 6

Search and delete these components

[ Learn More ]
There may be some components 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.
  • %User Temp%\XX--XX--XX.txt
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\logs.dat
  • %User Temp%\XxX.xXx
  • %User Temp%\UuU.uUu

Step 7

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TSPY_SPATET. 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 8

Restore these deleted registry keys/values from backup

*Note: Only Microsoft-related keys/values will be restored. If the malware/grayware also deleted registry keys/values related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on your computer.

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components
    • {1221254T-0T64-181A-O2IW-A810J2EET031}


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