Analysis by: Jennifer Gumban

 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel: Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware

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 a website to send and receive information.

It logs a user's keystrokes to steal information.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 58,690,560 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 15 Sep 2016
Payload: Logs keystrokes

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 injects itself into the following processes running in the affected system's memory:

  • explorer.exe
  • svchost.exe

It creates the following folders:

  • %Temp%\RarSFX0 ← containing subdirectories and files
  • %System Root%\{random numbers}
  • %System Root%\{random numbers}\{random numbers}
    example: C:\323331\323234

(Note: %Temp% is the Windows temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\Temp on all Windows operating system versions.. %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.)

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Microsoft\Windows\
CurrentVersion\RunOnce
System Monitor = "%System Root%\{random numbers}\sysmon.exe"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Microsoft\Windows NT\
CurrentVersion\Winlogon
shell = 'explorer,"%System Root%\{random numbers}\sysmon.exe"

Other System Modifications

This spyware adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
{base64 encoded values} = {base64 encoded values}

Backdoor Routine

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

  • alex88.{BLOCKED}o.com

Dropping Routine

This spyware drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\Photoshop CS3 Portable.exe
  • %System Root%\{random numbers}\{month}-{day}-{year}.txt ← log
  • %System Root%\{random numbers}\sysmon.exe ← copy of itself
  • %Temp%\{malware name}

(Note: %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.. %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.. %Temp% is the Windows temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\Temp on all Windows operating system versions.)

Information Theft

This spyware logs a user's keystrokes to steal information.

NOTES:
URL no longer accessible

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 12.744.04
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 29 Aug 2016
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 12.745.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 30 Aug 2016

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

[ 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
    • {base64 encoded values} = "{base64 encoded values}"

Step 4

Search and delete this file

[ Learn More ]
There may be some 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.
  • %User Temp%\Photoshop CS3 Portable.exe
  • %Temp%\{malware name}

Step 5

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.
  • %Temp%\RarSFX0
  • %System Root%\{random numbers}

Step 6

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TSPY_OMANEAT.BZR. 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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