TrojanSpy.Win32.EMOTET.THJAAAI


 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan Spy

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW


This Trojan Spy arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

It deletes itself after execution.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

573,440 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

11 Oct 2019

Arrival Details

This Trojan Spy 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 Trojan Spy adds the following processes:

  • %User Temp%\402d6b0982c537d89524b2cf65b2a948f4f371aa.exe --7801dec
  • "%Windows%\SysWOW64\footpublish.exe"
  • %Windows%\SysWOW64\footpublish.exe --12829537
  • "%Windows%\SysWOW64\footpublish.exe" "%Windows%\TEMP\7DB8.tmp"
  • "%Windows%\SysWOW64\footpublish.exe" /scomma "%Windows%\TEMP\7DA7.tmp"
  • "%Windows%\SysWOW64\footpublish.exe" "%Windows%\TEMP\81BF.tmp"
  • "%Windows%\SysWOW64\footpublish.exe" /scomma "%Windows%\TEMP\81AF.tmp"
  • "%Windows%\SysWOW64\footpublishb.exe" "%Windows%\TEMP\7DB8.tmp"
  • "%Windows%\SysWOW64\footpublisha.exe" "%Windows%\TEMP\81BF.tmp"

(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(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

Autostart Technique

This Trojan Spy registers itself as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup by adding the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\footpublish
ImagePath = "%Windows%\SysWOW64\footpublish.exe"

Other System Modifications

This Trojan Spy deletes the following files:

  • %Windows%\Temp\81BF.tmp
  • %Windows%\SysWOW64\nextbased.exe
  • %Windows%\SysWOW64\footpublish.exe:Zone.Identifier
  • %Windows%\Temp\81AF.tmp
  • %Windows%\Temp\7DB8.tmp
  • %Windows%\Temp\7DA7.tmp

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

It adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
Recalc.Document.1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
Recalc.Document.1\DefaultIcon

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
Recalc.Document.1\shell\open\
ddeexec

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
Recalc.Document.1\shell\print\
ddeexec

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
Recalc.Document.1\shell\printto\
ddeexec

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
Recalc.Document.1\shell\open\
command

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
Recalc.Document.1\shell\print\
command

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
Recalc.Document.1\shell\printto\
command

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
.RCL

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.RCL\ShellNew

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\HomeGroup\
UIStatusCache

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Recalc.Document.1
(Default) = "Recalc Document"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Recalc.Document.1\DefaultIcon
(Default) = "{malware path and file name}.exe.exe.exe,1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Recalc.Document.1\shell\open\
ddeexec
(Default) = "[open(%1)]"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Recalc.Document.1\shell\print\
ddeexec
(Default) = "[print(%1)]"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Recalc.Document.1\shell\printto\
ddeexec
(Default) = "[printto(%1,%2,%3,%4)]"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Recalc.Document.1\shell\open\
command
(Default) = "{malware path and file name}.exe.exe.exe /dde"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Recalc.Document.1\shell\print\
command
(Default) = "{malware path and file name}.exe.exe.exe /dde"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Recalc.Document.1\shell\printto\
command
(Default) = "{malware path and file name}.exe.exe.exe /dde"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.RCL
(Default) = "Recalc.Document.1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.RCL\ShellNew
NullFile = ""

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Recalc.Document.1\DefaultIcon
(Default) = "%Windows%\SysWOW64\FOOTPU~1.EXE,1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Recalc.Document.1\shell\open\
command
(Default) = "%Windows%\SysWOW64\FOOTPU~1.EXE /dde"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Recalc.Document.1\shell\print\
command
(Default) = "%Windows%\SysWOW64\FOOTPU~1.EXE /dde"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Recalc.Document.1\shell\printto\
command
(Default) = "%Windows%\SysWOW64\FOOTPU~1.EXE /dde"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\HomeGroup\
UIStatusCache
UIStatus = "560"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\HomeGroup\
UIStatusCache
OnlyMember = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\footpublish
DisplayName = "footpublish"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\footpublish
Start = "SERVICE_AUTO_START"

Dropping Routine

This Trojan Spy drops the following files:

  • %Windows%\SysWOW64\footpublish.exe
  • %All Users Profile%\9IiWNFF5dFE.exe
  • %Windows%\SysWOW64\footpublisha.exe
  • %Windows%\SysWOW64\footpublishb.exe
  • %All Users Profile%\xd8\xa7\xd9\x86\xd9\x8a\xd9\x84\xd8\xa6\xd8\xb1\xd8\xa3\xd8\xa6\xd9\x83\xd8\xaa\xd9\x84\xd9\x85\xd9\x86.exe

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.. %All Users Profile% is the common user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\ProgramData on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit). )

Other Details

This Trojan Spy connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}195.162:7080/sess/tpt
  • http://{BLOCKED}195.162:7080/whoami.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}195.162:7080/json/symbols/merge
  • http://{BLOCKED}195.162:7080/badge
  • http://{BLOCKED}195.162:7080/symbols/report/window
  • http://{BLOCKED}195.162:7080/usbccid/pnp/scripts
  • http://{BLOCKED}195.162:7080/acquire
  • http://{BLOCKED}195.162:7080/badge/stubs/acquire
  • http://{BLOCKED}195.162:7080/forced
  • http://{BLOCKED}195.162:7080/taskbar/raster
  • http://{BLOCKED}195.162:7080/iplk/bml/ban
  • http://{BLOCKED}195.162:7080/arizona/merge
  • http://{BLOCKED}195.162:7080/iab
  • http://{BLOCKED}195.162:7080/odbc/raster/splash
  • http://{BLOCKED}195.162:7080/between/attrib
  • http://{BLOCKED}195.162:7080/merge/taskbar/codec/merge
  • http://{BLOCKED}195.162:7080/acquire/balloon
  • http://{BLOCKED}195.162:7080/splash
  • http://{BLOCKED}195.162:7080/pdf/enabled
  • http://{BLOCKED}195.162:7080/enable/usbccid/odbc
  • {BLOCKED}4.105.242

It deletes itself after execution.

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.

Step 2

Identify and terminate files detected as TrojanSpy.Win32.EMOTET.THJAAAI

[ Learn More ]
  1. Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
  2. If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

Step 3

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes
    • Recalc.Document.1
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Recalc.Document.1
    • DefaultIcon
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Recalc.Document.1\shell\open
    • ddeexec
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Recalc.Document.1\shell\print
    • ddeexec
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Recalc.Document.1\shell\printto
    • ddeexec
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Recalc.Document.1\shell\open
    • command
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Recalc.Document.1\shell\print
    • command
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Recalc.Document.1\shell\printto
    • command
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes
    • .RCL
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.RCL
    • ShellNew
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\HomeGroup
    • UIStatusCache

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Recalc.Document.1
    • (Default) = "Recalc Document"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Recalc.Document.1\DefaultIcon
    • (Default) = "{malware path and file name}.exe.exe.exe,1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Recalc.Document.1\shell\open\ddeexec
    • (Default) = "[open(%1)]"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Recalc.Document.1\shell\print\ddeexec
    • (Default) = "[print(%1)]"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Recalc.Document.1\shell\printto\ddeexec
    • (Default) = "[printto(%1,%2,%3,%4)]"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Recalc.Document.1\shell\open\command
    • (Default) = "{malware path and file name}.exe.exe.exe /dde"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Recalc.Document.1\shell\print\command
    • (Default) = "{malware path and file name}.exe.exe.exe /dde"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Recalc.Document.1\shell\printto\command
    • (Default) = "{malware path and file name}.exe.exe.exe /dde"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\.RCL
    • (Default) = "Recalc.Document.1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\.RCL\ShellNew
    • NullFile = ""
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Recalc.Document.1\DefaultIcon
    • (Default) = "%Windows%\SysWOW64\FOOTPU~1.EXE,1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Recalc.Document.1\shell\open\command
    • (Default) = "%Windows%\SysWOW64\FOOTPU~1.EXE /dde"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Recalc.Document.1\shell\print\command
    • (Default) = "%Windows%\SysWOW64\FOOTPU~1.EXE /dde"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Recalc.Document.1\shell\printto\command
    • (Default) = "%Windows%\SysWOW64\FOOTPU~1.EXE /dde"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\HomeGroup\UIStatusCache
    • UIStatus = "560"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\HomeGroup\UIStatusCache
    • OnlyMember = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\footpublish
    • DisplayName = "footpublish"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\footpublish
    • Start = "SERVICE_AUTO_START"

Step 5

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.
  • %Windows%\SysWOW64\footpublish.exe
  • %All Users Profile%\9IiWNFF5dFE.exe
  • %Windows%\SysWOW64\footpublisha.exe
  • %Windows%\SysWOW64\footpublishb.exe
  • %All Users Profile%\xd8\xa7\xd9\x86\xd9\x8a\xd9\x84\xd8\xa6\xd8\xb1\xd8\xa3\xd8\xa6\xd9\x83\xd8\xaa\xd9\x84\xd9\x85\xd9\x86.exe

Step 6

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TrojanSpy.Win32.EMOTET.THJAAAI. 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 the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:

Step 7

Restore this file from backup only Microsoft-related files will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted files related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on you computer again.

  • %Windows%\Temp\81BF.tmp
  • %Windows%\SysWOW64\nextbased.exe
  • %Windows%\SysWOW64\footpublish.exe:Zone.Identifier
  • %Windows%\Temp\81AF.tmp
  • %Windows%\Temp\7DB8.tmp
  • %Windows%\Temp\7DA7.tmp


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