ALIASES:

PWS:Win32/QQpass.FD, Backdoor:Win32/Hupigon.FI (Microsoft); [3.nsis]:Generic BackDoor!dhu (McAfee); Trojan.ADH (Symantec); ARC:NSIS, [??QQ??? V2.2.exe]:Constructor.Win32.QQPass.bw, [????.exe]:Backdoor.Win32.Hupigon.njhq (Kaspersky); Trojan.Win32.Generic!BT, Backdoor.Win32.Hupigon (Sunbelt); Trojan:W32/Agent.DQRS (FSecure)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This spyware arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 1,452,488 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 17 Apr 2012

Arrival Details

This spyware 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 spyware creates the following folders:

  • %System Root%\DOCUME~1
  • %System Root%\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1
  • %User Profile%\LOCALS~1
  • %Program Files%\Realtek\Adpath

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (64-bit).)

Autostart Technique

This spyware modifies the following registry entries to ensure it automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Shell = "Explorer.exe %Program Files%\Realtek\Adpath\RTHDCPL.exe"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is Explorer.exe.)

Other System Modifications

This spyware deletes the following files:

  • %User Temp%\nsj1.tmp
  • %User Temp%\RJGH{_~1
  • %System Root%\wmiprvse.exe
  • %Windows%\fonts\msgothic.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\msuigoth.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\MSMINCHO.TTF
  • %Windows%\fonts\Gulim.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\Gulimche.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\Dotum.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\Batang.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\Gungsuh.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\Simsun.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\nsimsun.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\MingLiU.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\pmingliu.ttf
  • %System%\SET3.tmp
  • %System%\kbd101b.dll
  • %System%\SET5.tmp
  • %System%\kbd101c.dll
  • %System%\SET7.tmp
  • %System%\kbd103.dll
  • %System%\SET9.tmp
  • %System%\kbd106.dll
  • %System%\SETB.tmp
  • %System%\kbdjpn.dll
  • %System%\SETD.tmp
  • %System%\kbdkor.dll

(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, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.. %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.. %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows.. %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)

It adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\International\CpMRU

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\International\CpMRU
Enable = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\International\CpMRU
Size = "a"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\International\CpMRU
InitHits = "64"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\International\CpMRU
Factor = "14"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\International
W2KLpk = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\International
W2KLpk = "0"

Dropping Routine

This spyware drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\Îá°®QQ´óµÁ V2.2.exe
  • %User Temp%\²¹¶¡.exe
  • %User Temp%\upx.exe
  • %User Temp%\rjgh{=YV
  • %Windows%\uninstal.bat
  • %System%\SET2.tmp
  • %System%\SET4.tmp
  • %System%\SET6.tmp
  • %System%\SET8.tmp
  • %System%\SETA.tmp
  • %System%\SETC.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Realtek\Adpath\RTHDCPL.exe
  • %Windows%\windows.exe
  • %System%\SET3.tmp
  • %System%\SET5.tmp
  • %System%\SET7.tmp
  • %System%\SET9.tmp
  • %System%\SETB.tmp
  • %System%\SETD.tmp

(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, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.. %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows.. %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (64-bit).)

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200

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_GAMETHI.C using either the Startup Disk or Recovery Console

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\International
    • CpMRU

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\Internet Explorer\International\CpMRU
    • Enable = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\International\CpMRU
    • Size = "a"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\International\CpMRU
    • InitHits = "64"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\International\CpMRU
    • Factor = "14"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\International
    • W2KLpk = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\International
    • W2KLpk = "0"

Step 5

Restore these modified registry values

[ 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\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
    • From: Shell = "Explorer.exe %Program Files%\Realtek\Adpath\RTHDCPL.exe"
      To: Shell = ""Explorer.exe""

Step 6

Search and delete these components

[ Learn More ]
There may be some components 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.
  • %User Temp%\Îá°®QQ´óµÁ V2.2.exe
  • %User Temp%\²¹¶¡.exe
  • %User Temp%\upx.exe
  • %User Temp%\rjgh{=YV
  • %Windows%\uninstal.bat
  • %System%\SET2.tmp
  • %System%\SET4.tmp
  • %System%\SET6.tmp
  • %System%\SET8.tmp
  • %System%\SETA.tmp
  • %System%\SETC.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Realtek\Adpath\RTHDCPL.exe
  • %Windows%\windows.exe
  • %System%\SET3.tmp
  • %System%\SET5.tmp
  • %System%\SET7.tmp
  • %System%\SET9.tmp
  • %System%\SETB.tmp
  • %System%\SETD.tmp

Step 7

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%\DOCUME~1
  • %System Root%\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1
  • %User Profile%\LOCALS~1
  • %Program Files%\Realtek\Adpath

Step 8

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TSPY_GAMETHI.C. 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 9

Restore this file from backup only Microsoft-related files will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted files related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on you computer again.

  • %User Temp%\nsj1.tmp
  • %User Temp%\RJGH{_~1
  • %System Root%\wmiprvse.exe
  • %Windows%\fonts\msgothic.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\msuigoth.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\MSMINCHO.TTF
  • %Windows%\fonts\Gulim.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\Gulimche.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\Dotum.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\Batang.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\Gungsuh.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\Simsun.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\nsimsun.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\MingLiU.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\pmingliu.ttf
  • %System%\SET3.tmp
  • %System%\kbd101b.dll
  • %System%\SET5.tmp
  • %System%\kbd101c.dll
  • %System%\SET7.tmp
  • %System%\kbd103.dll
  • %System%\SET9.tmp
  • %System%\kbd106.dll
  • %System%\SETB.tmp
  • %System%\kbdjpn.dll
  • %System%\SETD.tmp
  • %System%\kbdkor.dll


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