Analysis by: Karl Dominguez

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This spyware may be dropped by other malware.

It acts as a Browser Helper Object (BHO) that monitors a user's Internet-browsing habits.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: Varies
File Type: PE
Initial Samples Received Date: 26 Feb 2011
Payload: Compromises system security

Arrival Details

This spyware may be dropped by other malware.

Installation

This spyware drops the following component file(s):

  • %Application Data%\aviso.txt

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

Autostart Technique

This spyware adds the following registry entries to install itself as a Browser Helper Object (BHO):

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\1.Alx2000_46
(Default) = "Alx2000"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\1.Alx2000_46\Clsid
(Default) = "{0DBB4430-2805-4FF2-AC7D-43985BC678B8}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0DBB4430-2805-4FF2-AC7D-43985BC678B8}
(Default) = "Alx2000"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0DBB4430-2805-4FF2-AC7D-43985BC678B8}\
InprocServer32
(Default) = "{malware path and file name}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0DBB4430-2805-4FF2-AC7D-43985BC678B8}\
InprocServer32
ThreadingModel = "Apartment"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0DBB4430-2805-4FF2-AC7D-43985BC678B8}\
ProgID
(Default) = "1.Alx2000_46"

It acts as a Browser Helper Object (BHO) that monitors a user's Internet-browsing habits.

Other System Modifications

This spyware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\1.Alx2000_46

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0DBB4430-2805-4FF2-AC7D-43985BC678B8}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\New Windows\Allow

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{0DBB4430-2805-4FF2-AC7D-43985BC678B8}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{0DBB4430-2805-4FF2-AC7D-43985BC678B8}

It adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\New Windows\Allow
*.bradesco.com.br =

Backdoor Routine

This spyware connects to the following URL(s) to send and receive commands from a remote malicious user:

  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.196.10

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 8.900
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 7.858.14
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 26 Feb 2011

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

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as TSPY_BANKER.SMAV

Step 3

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 4

Delete this registry key

[ 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_CLASSES_ROOT
    • 1.Alx2000_46
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {0DBB4430-2805-4FF2-AC7D-43985BC678B8}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\New Windows
    • Allow
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects
    • {0DBB4430-2805-4FF2-AC7D-43985BC678B8}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects
    • {0DBB4430-2805-4FF2-AC7D-43985BC678B8}

Step 5

Search and delete these files

[ Learn More ]
There may be some component 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. %Application Data%\aviso.txt

Step 6

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TSPY_BANKER.SMAV. 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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