TSPY_EMOTET.THJOIAH
Windows
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.
However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
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 copies of itself into the affected system:
- %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Windows\rowsetwindow.exe -> Drops when file is run without admin rights
- %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Windows\{Random Filename}.exe ->Drops when file is run without admin rights
- %System%\routedwindow.exe -> Drops when file is run with admin rights
- %System%\{Random Filename}.exe -> Drops when file is run with admin rights
(Note: %AppDataLocal% is the Local Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)
Autostart Technique
This Trojan Spy adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
rowsetwindow = "%AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Windows\rowsetwindow.exe"
Other System Modifications
This Trojan Spy modifies the following registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Controls Folder\
PowerCfg
LastID = "5"
Other Details
This Trojan Spy connects to the following possibly malicious URL:
- http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.10.64/
- http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.56.6:443/
However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
SOLUTION
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
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 3
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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- rowsetwindow = "%AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Windows\rowsetwindow.exe"
- rowsetwindow = "%AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Windows\rowsetwindow.exe"
Step 4
Restore this modified 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\CurrentVersion\Controls Folder\PowerCfg
- From: LastID = "5"
To: LastID = {User Dependent Value}
- From: LastID = "5"
Step 5
Search and delete this file
- %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Windows\rowsetwindow.exe -> Drops when file is run without admin rights
- %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Windows\{Random Filename}.exe ->Drops when file is run without admin rights
- %System%\routedwindow.exe -> Drops when file is run with admin rights
- %System%\{Random Filename}.exe -> Drops when file is run with admin rights
Step 6
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TSPY_EMOTET.THJOIAH. 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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