Analysis by: jasperm
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, XP, 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 may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

It connects to certain websites to send and receive information.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 18,944 bytes
File Type: PE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 14 Oct 2010

Arrival Details

This spyware may be dropped by other malware.

It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

Installation

This spyware drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %System%\lxb.exe

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\System32 on Windows NT and 2000, or C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP and Server 2003.)

It is injected into the following processes running in memory:

  • EXPLORER.EXE
  • MSNMSGR.EXE

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Active Setup\Installed Components\{7695D83A-2E43-31BA-6675-9169E22C57F1}
StubPath = %System%\lxb.exe

Dropping Routine

This spyware drops the following files wherein it saves the information it gathers:

  • %System%\lxb

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\System32 on Windows NT and 2000, or C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP and Server 2003.)

Other Details

This spyware connects to the following website to send and receive information:

  • {BLOCKED}a.dd.{BLOCKED}ine.be

It does the following:

  • This malware monitors user activities and logs messages posted to the system message queue including keystrokes in order to steal user information such as user names and passwords.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 8.900
VSAPI PATTERN File: under testing

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

Identify and delete files detected as TSPY_INJECT.AQH 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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components
    • {7695D83A-2E43-31BA-6675-9169E22C57F1}

Step 4

Search and delete this file

[ 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.
  • %System%\lxb

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TSPY_INJECT.AQH. 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.


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.