TSPY_ZBOT.ALD
Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003
![](/vinfo/imgFiles/legend.jpg)
Threat Type: Spyware
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted:
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
This spyware attempts to steal sensitive online banking information, such as user names and passwords. This routine risks the exposure of the user's account information, which may then lead to the unauthorized use of the stolen data. Once users access any of the monitored sites, it starts logging keystrokes. It attempts to steal information, such as user names and passwords, used when logging into certain banking or finance-related websites.
It attempts to get information from a list of banks or financial institutions.
It checks for the presence of the following processes which are related to Outpost Personal Firewall and ZoneLabs Firewall Client:
- outpost.exe
- zlclient.exe
It terminates if either of the said processes exist. This is to ensure that it runs uninterrupted. It also has rootkit capabilities, which enables it to hide its processes and files from the user.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
131,560 bytes
PE
Yes
07 Aug 2010
Infection Points
This spyware arrives as a file downloaded from the following URLs:
- http://{BLOCKED}sserx.net/base/hh1.php
Installation
This spyware drops copies of itself in the Windows system folder and appends garbage code to the dropped copy to avoid easy detection. The dropped copies uses the following file names:
- sdra64.exe
It then creates the following non-malicious file(s):
- %System%\lowsec\local.ds - copy of the encrypted downloaded file
- %System%\lowsec\user.ds - used to save the gathered information
(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)
It creates the following folders with attributes set to System and Hidden to prevent users from discovering and removing its components:
- %System%\lowsec
(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)
It adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:
- _AVIRA_2109
It injects itself into the following processes as part of its memory residency routine:
- SVCHOST.EXE
- WINLOGON.EXE
Autostart Technique
This spyware modifies the following registry entry(ies) to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Userinit = %System%\userinit.exe, %System%\sdra64.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 as part of its installation routine:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Network
UID = {Computer name}_{Random numbers}
It creates the following registry entry(ies) to bypass Windows Firewall:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile
EnableFirewall = 0
Information Theft
This spyware attempts to steal sensitive online banking information, such as user names and passwords. This routine risks the exposure of the user's account information, which may then lead to the unauthorized use of the stolen data.
It accesses the following site to download its configuration file:
- http://{BLOCKED}y242steal.net/nnesx/cf.bin
- http://{BLOCKED}vsn1.net/urla/c1.bin
- http://{BLOCKED}sserx11.net/vbsa/cc.bin
- http://{BLOCKED}sserx121.net/vbsa/cc.bin
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.205.105/vbsa/cc.bin
Once users access any of the monitored sites, it starts logging keystrokes.
It attempts to access a website to download a file which contains information where the Trojan can download an updated copy of itself, and where to send its stolen data. This configuration file also contains the following list of targeted bank-related websites from which it steals information:
- *.facebook.com/*
- *.mcafee.com/*
- *.microsoft.com/*
- http*://*.cedacri.it*
- http://*myspace.co*
- http://*odnoklassniki.ru/*
- http://login.live.com/*
- http://mail.rambler.ru/*
- http://vkontakte.ru/*
- https://login.yahoo.com/*
The downloaded file contains information where the malware can download an updated copy of itself, and where to send its stolen data.
Note that the contents of the file, hence the list of websites to monitor, may change any time.
It attempts to steal information from the following banks and/or other financial institutions:
- McAfee
- Microsoft
- Myspace
- Odnoklassniki
- Vkontakte
Attacked Entities
This spyware attempts to get information from a list of banks or financial institutions.
Stolen Information
This spyware saves the stolen information in the following file:
- %System%\lowsec\user.ds
(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)
It sends the gathered information via HTTP POST to the following URL:
- http://{BLOCKED}sserx.net/base/hh1.php
Other Details
This spyware checks for the presence of the following processes which are related to Outpost Personal Firewall and ZoneLabs Firewall Client:
- outpost.exe
- zlclient.exe
It terminates if either of the said processes exist. This is to ensure that it runs uninterrupted. It also has rootkit capabilities, which enables it to hide its processes and files from the user.
It did not exhibit backdoor routines during testing.
Variant Information
This spyware has the following MD5 hashes:
- 8d6a57a1c22de5abc053729db2119b31
It has the following SHA1 hashes:
- 0ed425ab95b895f0e887f8c5cd9008c6789b22c7
SOLUTION
8.900
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.ALD using the Recovery Console
Step 3
Restore these modified registry values
Important:Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this only if you know how to or you can seek your system administrator's help. You may also check out 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%\sdra64.exe,
To: %System%\userinit.exe,
- From: Userinit =%System%\userinit.exe, %System%\sdra64.exe,
Step 4
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 ={Computer name}_{Random numbers}
- UID ={Computer name}_{Random numbers}
Step 5
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TSPY_ZBOT.ALD. 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.
Did this description help? Tell us how we did.