Analysis by: Roland Marco Dela Paz
ALIASES:

Mcafee : PWS-Spyeye.e; Kaspersky : Trojan-Spy.Win32.SpyEyes.eag

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This spyware also has rootkit capabilities, which enables it to hide its processes and files from the user.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 180,224 bytes
File Type: PE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 08 Jan 2011

Installation

This spyware drops the following files:

  • %System Root%\explorrxxx.exe\config.bin - configuration file

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %System Root%\explorrxxx.exe\explorrxxx.exe

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %System Root%\explorrxxx.exe

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

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
explorrxxx.exe = %System Root%\explorrxxx.exe\explorrxxx.exe

Rootkit Capabilities

This spyware also has rootkit capabilities, which enables it to hide its processes and files from the user.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 8.900
VSAPI PATTERN File: 07.752.18
VSAPI PATTERN Date: 08 Jan 2011
VSAPI PATTERN Date: 1/8/2011 12:00:00 AM

Step 1

For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.

Step 2

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

Search and delete these folders

[ Learn More ]
Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden folders in the search result.  %System Root%\explorrxxx.exe

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • explorrxxx.exe = %System Root%\explorrxxx.exe\explorrxxx.exe

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_SPYEYES.AE. 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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