TrojanSpy.Win32.EMOTET.TIABOFCI


 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

126,976 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

30 May 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:

  • "%System%\restoreballoon.exe"

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 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\restoreballoon
DisplayName = "restoreballoon"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\restoreballoon
ImagePath = "%System%\restoreballoon.exe"

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

Dropping Routine

This Trojan Spy drops the following files:

  • %System%\restoreballoon.exe

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

Other Details

This Trojan Spy connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.153.12
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.245.65
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.36.58
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.223.154
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.149.117
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.99.39
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.188.27
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.116.116
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.173.244
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.120.20
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.248.146
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.80.101
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.196.209
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.153.12

It deletes itself after execution.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

15.140.07

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

29 May 2019

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

15.141.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

30 May 2019

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

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\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\restoreballoon
    • DisplayName = "restoreballoon"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\restoreballoon
    • ImagePath = "%System%\restoreballoon.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\restoreballoon
    • Start = "SERVICE_AUTO_START"

Step 4

Search and delete these files

[ Learn More ]
There may be some files 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.  
  • %System%\restoreballoon.exe

Step 5

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TrojanSpy.Win32.EMOTET.TIABOFCI. 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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