TrojanSpy.PS1.NEGASTEAL.FBV
Trojan.PS.Agent (IKARUS); PowerShell/TrojanDownloader.Agent.HGV trojan (NOD32)
Windows
Threat Type: Trojan Spy
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: No
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware
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 executes then deletes itself afterward.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
6,490,261 bytes
PS1
No
04 Sep 2023
Collects system information, Connects to URLs/IPs, Steals information, Disables AV, Modifies system registry
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 drops the following files:
- %ProgramData%\TUKHAMTASSER\Sexology.~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!~ ← deleted afterwards
- %ProgramData%\TUKHAMTASSER\NIKKIL_LORY.vbs ← later moved to %User Startup%\NIKKIL_LORY.vbs
- %System Root%\drivers\etc\hosts
(Note: %ProgramData% is a version of the Program Files folder where any user on a multi-user computer can make changes to programs. This contains application data for all users. This is usually C:\ProgramData on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit), or C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows Server 2003(32-bit), 2000(32-bit) and XP.. %User Startup% is the current user's Startup folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows NT, C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows 2003(32-bit), XP and 2000(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit), 10(64-bit).. %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.)
It adds the following processes:
- "%System%\net.exe" user {Malware Created User} /add
- "%System%\net.exe" user {Malware Created User} {Password}
- "%System%\net.exe" localgroup administrators {Malware Created User} /add
- "%System%\net.exe" localgroup "Remote Desktop Users" {Malware Created User} /add
- "%System%\net.exe" stop WdNisSvc
- "%System%\netsh.exe" advfirewall set allprofiles state off
- "%System%\schtasks.exe" /create /sc MINUTE /mo 187 /tn clomepe /F /tr "wscript /nologo %ProgramData%\TUKHAMTASSER\NIKKIL_LORY.vbs"
(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.. %ProgramData% is a version of the Program Files folder where any user on a multi-user computer can make changes to programs. This contains application data for all users. This is usually C:\ProgramData on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit), or C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows Server 2003(32-bit), 2000(32-bit) and XP.)
It creates the following folders:
- %ProgramData%\TUKHAMTASSER
(Note: %ProgramData% is a version of the Program Files folder where any user on a multi-user computer can make changes to programs. This contains application data for all users. This is usually C:\ProgramData on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit), or C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows Server 2003(32-bit), 2000(32-bit) and XP.)
It executes then deletes itself afterward.
Other System Modifications
This Trojan Spy adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
CLSID\{fdb00e52-a214-4aa1-8fba-4357bb0072ec}\InProcServer32
(Default) = C:\IDontExist.dll
It adds the following registry keys as part of its installation routine:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
CLSID\{fdb00e52-a214-4aa1-8fba-4357bb0072ec}
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
CLSID\{fdb00e52-a214-4aa1-8fba-4357bb0072ec}\InProcServer32
Process Termination
This Trojan Spy terminates the following services if found on the affected system:
- WdNisSvc
- WinDefend
Information Theft
This Trojan Spy gathers the following data:
- Computer Name
- User Name
- CPU Information
- RAM Information
- Network Adapter Configuration
- IP Address
- Current time
- It gathers credentials from the following:
- Browsers (User Data):
- 360 Browser
- 7Star
- Amigo
- BlackHawk
- Brave
- CentBrowser
- Chedot
- Chrome
- Chromium
- Citrio
- Coccoc
- Comodo Dragon
- Cool Novo
- Coowon
- CyberFox
- Edge Chromium
- Elements Browser
- Epic Privacy
- Falkon Browser
- Firefox
- Flock
- Flock Browser
- IceCat
- IceDragon
- IE/Edge
- Iridium Browser
- K-Meleon
- Kometa
- Liebao Browser
- Opera Browser
- Orbitum
- PaleMoon
- QIP Surf
- QQ Browser
- Safari for Windows
- SeaMonkey
- Sleipnir 6
- Sputnik
- Torch Browser
- UC Browser
- Uran
- Vivaldi
- WaterFox
- Yandex
- Email Clients:
- Becky!
- Claws Mail
- eM client
- Eudora
- Foxmail
- IncrediMail
- Mailbird
- Opera Mail
- Outlook
- Pocomail
- Postbox
- The Bat!
- Thunderbird
- Windows Mail App
- FTPs:
- cftp
- CoreFTP
- FileZilla
- FlashFXP
- FTP Commander
- FTP Getter
- FTP Navigator
- SmartFTP
- WinSCP
- WS_FTP
- VPNs:
- NordVPN
- OpenVPN
- Private Internet Access
- Instant Messaging Applications:
- Discord
- Psi/Psi+
- Trillian
- Other Applications:
- Internet Download Manager
- Jdownloader 2.0
- MySQL Workbench
- Apple Keychain
- VNCs:
- RealVNC 4.x
- RealVNC 3.x
- TightVNC
- TigerVNC
- UltraVNC
- Vault:
- Web Credentials
- Windows Credential Picker Protector
- Windows Credentials
- Windows Domain Certificate Credential
- Windows Domain Password Credential
- Windows Extended Credential
- Windows Secure Note
- Windows Web Password Credential
- Browsers (User Data):
Stolen Information
This Trojan Spy sends the gathered information via HTTP POST to the following URL:
- https://{BLOCKED}d.com/api/webhooks/1147617604740075550/qMN4dDXG-qUd5FVw6gluS-KM8pkIs8V5dUDV8yLhHwfqs5x6Q7TeJE-qmCsn9sgTZSpX
Other Details
This Trojan Spy connects to the following URL(s) to get the affected system's IP address:
- https://{BLOCKED}ify.org
It does the following:
- It bypasses Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI).
- It terminates, disables, and deletes the Windows Defender service if found running.
- It utilizes net.exe to create a user and add this to two local groups:
- administrators
- Remote Desktop Users
- It turns off the Windows Firewall for all network profiles.
- It modifies Windows Defender's settings:
- Adds the following to the exclusion preference:
- File Extensions:
- .bat
- .ppam
- .xls
- .docx
- .bat
- .exe
- .vbs
- .js
- Paths:
- C:\
- D:\
- E:\
- Processes:
- explorer.exe
- kernel32.dll
- aspnet_compiler.exe
- cvtres.exe
- CasPol.exe
- csc.exe
- Msbuild.exe
- ilasm.exe
- InstallUtil.exe
- jsc.exe
- Calc.exe
- powershell.exe
- rundll32.exe
- conhost.exe
- Cscript.exe
- mshta.exe
- cmd.exe
- DefenderisasuckingAntivirus
- wscript.exe
- IP Address:
- 127.0.0.1
- File Extensions:
- Configures the following:
- Threat ID Default Action
- Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) rules
- Default action for high-threat items
- Default action for moderate-threat items
- Default action for low-threat items
- Default action for severe-threat items
- Disables:
- Intrusion Prevention System
- Information Protection feature
- Real-time monitoring
- Scanning of scripts for malware or malicious content
- Controlled folder access
- Reporting to the Microsoft Active Protection Service (MAPS)
- Sample submissions to Microsoft
- Protection against Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs)
- Scheduled scans
- Enables:
- Audit mode for Network Protection
- Adds the following to the exclusion preference:
It adds the following scheduled tasks:
- Task Name: clomepe
Trigger: every 187 minutes
Task Action: %ProgramData%\TUKHAMTASSER\NIKKIL_LORY.vbs
(Note: %ProgramData% is a version of the Program Files folder where any user on a multi-user computer can make changes to programs. This contains application data for all users. This is usually C:\ProgramData on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit), or C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows Server 2003(32-bit), 2000(32-bit) and XP.)
SOLUTION
9.800
18.762.04
17 Oct 2023
18.763.00
18 Oct 2023
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
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
Step 4
Identify and terminate files detected as TrojanSpy.PS1.NEGASTEAL.FBV
- 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.
- 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.
- If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.
Step 5
Deleting Scheduled Tasks while in Safe Mode
- Still in safe mode, the following {Task Name}-{Task to be run} listed should be used in the steps identified below:
- Task Name: clomepe
- Task to be run: %ProgramData%\TUKHAMTASSER\NIKKIL_LORY.vbs
- For Windows 7 and Server 2008 (R2) users, click Start>Computer.
- For Windows 8, 8.1, 10, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, then click File Explorer.
- In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
- %System%\Tasks\{Task Name}
- Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
- Open Registry Editor. To do this:
- For Windows 7 and Server 2008 (R2) users, click the Start button, type regedit in the Search input field, and press Enter.
- For Windows 8, 8.1, 10, and Server 2012 (R2) users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Run, type regedit in the text box
- In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows NT>CurrentVersion>Schedule>TaskCache>Tree>{Task Name}
- Locate the created entry and take note of the registry value's data:
- ID={Task Data}
- After taking note of the data, delete the registry key:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows NT>CurrentVersion>Schedule>TaskCache>Tree>{Task Name}
- In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows NT>CurrentVersion>Schedule>TaskCache>Tasks
- Still in the left panel, locate and delete the registry key with the same name as the located Task Data in step #6:
- ={Task Data}
- Close Registry Editor.
Step 6
Delete this registry key
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. Before you could do this, you must restart in Safe Mode. For instructions on how to do this, you may refer to this page If the preceding step requires you to restart in safe mode, you may proceed to edit the system registry.
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{fdb00e52-a214-4aa1-8fba-4357bb0072ec}
Step 7
Search and delete these files
- %ProgramData%\TUKHAMTASSER\Sexology.~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!~
- %ProgramData%\TUKHAMTASSER\NIKKIL_LORY.vbs
- %User Startup%\NIKKIL_LORY.vbs
- %System Root%\drivers\etc\hosts
Step 8
Search and delete this folder
- %ProgramData%\TUKHAMTASSER
Step 9
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TrojanSpy.PS1.NEGASTEAL.FBV. 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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