TSPY_ITERATOR.A
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
Threat Type: Spyware
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: No
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.
It connects to certain websites to send and receive information. However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
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:
- %User Temp%\fsg_tmp
- %User Temp%\fsg_tmp\accum
- %User Temp%\fsg_tmp\accum\Trickler
(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.)
Autostart Technique
This spyware adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Trickler = "{malware path and file name}"
Other System Modifications
This spyware adds the following registry keys as part of its installation routine:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{21FFB6C0-0DA1-11D5-A9D5-00500413153C}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}or.com
Other Details
This spyware connects to the following website to send and receive information:
- {BLOCKED}i.{BLOCKED}r.com
- {BLOCKED}s.{BLOCKED}r.com
- {BLOCKED}e.{BLOCKED}r.com
However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
SOLUTION
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 terminate files detected as TSPY_ITERATOR.A
- If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
- If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.
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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- Trickler = "{malware path and file name}"
- Trickler = "{malware path and file name}"
Step 4
Delete this registry key
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. Before you could do this, you must restart in Safe Mode. For instructions on how to do this, you may refer to this page If the preceding step requires you to restart in safe mode, you may proceed to edit the system registry.
- In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
- {21FFB6C0-0DA1-11D5-A9D5-00500413153C}
- {21FFB6C0-0DA1-11D5-A9D5-00500413153C}
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
- {BLOCKED}or.com
- {BLOCKED}or.com
Step 5
Search and delete these folders
- %User Temp%\fsg_tmp
- %User Temp%\fsg_tmp\accum
- %User Temp%\fsg_tmp\accum\Trickler
Step 6
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TSPY_ITERATOR.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.
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