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 does not have any propagation routine.
It does not have any backdoor routine.
It modifies the user's Internet Explorer home page into a certain website. This action allows the malware to point to a website which may contain malware, putting the affected computer at greater risk of malware infection.
It requires its main component to successfully perform its intended routine.
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 adds the following processes:
It creates the following folders:
- %User Temp%\HS_\{root drive}\NPKI
- %User Temp%\HS_\Appdata\NPKI
- %User Temp%\HS_\Pf\NPKI
(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.)
It injects itself into the following processes as part of its memory residency routine:
Other System Modifications
This spyware adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
Explorer\Run
syotom = "%System%\svchost.exe"
It modifies the following registry key(s)/entry(ies) as part of its installation routine:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Start Page = "www.naver.com"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is "{user's main page}".)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\Tcpip\Parameters\
Interfaces\{GUID}
NameServer = "127.0.0.1,127.0.0.1"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is "".)
Propagation
This spyware does not have any propagation routine.
Backdoor Routine
This spyware does not have any backdoor routine.
Web Browser Home Page and Search Page Modification
This spyware modifies the user's Internet Explorer home page to the following websites:
Information Theft
This spyware gathers the following data:
- MAC address
- Nested Certificate Based Public Key Infrastructure (NPKI)
Other Details
This spyware requires its main component to successfully perform its intended routine.
NOTES:
It checks if the infected machine has Nested Certificate Based Public Key Infrastructure (NPKI) by searching the following folders:
- {root drive}:\NPKI
- %AppDataLocal%\NPKI
- %Program Files%\NPKI
It copies all the contents of the NPKI folders to the following created folders:
- %User Temp%\HS_\{root drive}\NPKI
- %User Temp%\HS_\Appdata\NPKI
- %User Temp%\HS_\Pf\NPKI
It compresses the folder %User Temp%\HS_ to the following ZIP file:
- %User Temp%\{random 32 alphanumeric characters}.zip
It connects to the following URL to get the IP of C&C server:
- http://{BLOCKED}e.qq.com/cgi-bin/user/cgi_personal_card?uin=2867523903?={number}
It steals the MAC address of the infected machine and sends it to the following URL:
- http://www.{BLOCKED}i.net/Count.asp?ver=001&mac={MAC address}
It reports the infection by connecting to the following URL:
- http://{IP of C&C server}/ip.php?={number}
It sends the compressed file {random 32 alphanumeric characters}.zip to the following URL:
- http://{IP of C&C server}/upload.php
It performs DNS spoofing by redirecting to the C&C server when users connect to the following search engine sites:
- www.naver.com
- www.daum.net
- hanmail.net
- www.nate.com
When users access the mentioned search engines in web browsers, the following are displayed:
- replica of the search engine site
- logos of banks and other financial related sites with links to the pharming sites
The URLs of the pharming sites are in the format of {true URL}.r and are redirected to the C&C server.
The credentials of the users are stolen when they try to log into their accounts using these pharming sites.
It does not have rootkit capabilities.
It does not exploit any vulnerability.
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
Restart in Safe Mode
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To restart in Safe Mode:
• For Windows 2000 users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 when you see the Starting Windows bar at the bottom of the screen.
- Choose the Safe Mode option from the Windows Advanced Options menu then press Enter.
• For Windows XP users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 after the Power-On Self Test (POST) routine is done. If the Windows Advanced Options menu does not appear, try restarting then pressing F8 several times when the POST screen appears.
- Choose the Safe Mode option from the Windows Advanced Options menu then press Enter.
• For Windows Server 2003 users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 after Windows starts up. If the Windows Advanced Options menu does not appear, try restarting again and pressing F8 several times afterward.
- On the Windows Advanced Option menu, use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode then press Enter.
• For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 after the Power-On Self Test (POST) routine is done. If the Advanced Boot Options menu does not appear, try restarting and then pressing F8 several times after the POST screen is displayed.
- On the Advanced Boot Options menu, use the arrow keys to select the Safe Mode option, and then press Enter.
• For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users
- Access the Charms bar by moving your mouse pointer to the upper right corner of the screen.
- Move your mouse pointer down and click Settings>Change your PC Settings.
- In the left panel, click General.
- In the right panel, scroll down to the bottom to find the Advanced startup section, then click the Restart now button and wait for the system to restart.
- In the Advanced Startup menu, click Troubleshoot>Advanced Options>Startup Settings>Restart and wait for the system to restart.
- In the Startup Settings menu, press 4 to enable safe mode.
Step 4
Delete this registry value
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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\policies\Explorer\Run
- syotom = "%System%\svchost.exe"
To delete the registry value this malware/grayware created:
- Open Registry Editor.
» For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 users, click Start>Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter.
» For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users, click the Start button, type regedit in the Search input field then press Enter.
» For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower-left corner of the screen, click Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter. - In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>policies>Explorer>Run - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
syotom = "%System%\svchost.exe" - Close Registry Editor.
Step 5
Restore this modified registry value
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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\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces\{GUID}
- From: NameServer = "127.0.0.1,127.0.0.1"
To: NameServer = ""
To restore the registry value this malware/grayware modified:
- Open Registry Editor.
» For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 users, click Start>Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter.
» For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users, click the Start button, type regedit in the Search input field then press Enter.
» For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter. - In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SYSTEM>CurrentControlSet>Services>Tcpip>Parameters>Interfaces>{GUID} - In the right panel, locate this registry entry:
NameServer = "127.0.0.1,127.0.0.1" - Right-click the value name and choose Modify. Change the value data of this entry to:
NameServer = "" - Close Registry Editor.
Step 6
Search and delete these folders
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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.
To delete malware/grayware/spyware folders:
For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:
- Right-click Start then click Search... or Find..., depending on the version of Windows you are running.
- In the File name* input box, type:
- In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer, then press Enter.
- Once located, select the folder then press SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the folder.
- Repeat steps 2 to 4 for the remaining folders: *Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).
For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:
- Open a Windows Explorer window.
- For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
- For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, then click File Explorer.
- In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
- Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the folder.
- Repeat steps 2-3 for the remaining folders: *Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.
Step 7
Search and delete these files
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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%\{random 32 alphanumeric characters}.zip
To delete malware/grayware files:
For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:
- Right-click Start then click Search....
- In the File name* input box, type
- %User Temp%\{random 32 alphanumeric characters}.zip
- In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer then press Enter.
- Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
- Repeat the said steps for all files listed.
*Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).
For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:
- Open a Windows Explorer window.
- For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
- For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, then click File Explorer.
- In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
- %User Temp%\{random 32 alphanumeric characters}.zip
- Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
- Repeat the said steps for all files listed.
*Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.
Step 8
Reset the Internet Explorer Home and Search pages
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To reset your Internet Explorer Home and Search Pages:
- Close all Internet Explorer windows.
- Open Control Panel. To do this:
• For Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, click Start>Settings>Control Panel
• For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 , click Start>Control Panel, then click Network and Internet • For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Control Panel, then click Network and Internet - Double-click the Internet Options icon.
- In the Internet Properties window, click the Programs tab.
(Note: If you are running Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) or later, click the Advanced tab.) - Click the Reset Web Settings... button.
(Note: On IE7 to IE10, click the Reset… button. Note that by doing this, you are resetting IE back to its default settings.) - Select Also reset my home page. Click Yes.
- Click OK.
Step 9
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TSPY_TALOC.NSW. 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.
