Analysis by: Jennifer Gumban
ALIASES:

TrojanSpy:Win32/Ursnif.gen!P (Microsoft); Backdoor.Win32.Androm.gibx (Kaspersky); W32/Androm.GIBX!tr.bdr (Fortinet)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • 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 modifies the Internet Explorer Zone Settings.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 294,976 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 27 Feb 2015

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 drops the following files:

  • {malware path}\{random value}.bat -used to delete the initial copy of malware and delete itself

It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %System%\{random file name}.exe

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 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\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{random} = "%System%\{random file name}.exe"

Other System Modifications

This spyware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\AppDataLow\
{GUID}

Web Browser Home Page and Search Page Modification

This spyware modifies the Internet Explorer Zone Settings.

NOTES:

This spyware steals the following information:

  • Digital Certificates
  • Capture Screenshot
  • Computer Name
  • List Processes
  • List Contents on this registry: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
  • System Information
  • Steal Cookies
  • List Drivers

It connects to the following website to send and receive information:

  • http://{BLOCKED}epport.su/zzz_img/flib/xxx/ttobcjcj?{string}

It does the following:

  • Save stolen information in a file and then upload it
  • Monitor Internet browsing activities
  • Inject code to normal processes

It scans the system for the following registry keys, which are related to antivirus and security applications:

  • Windows Defender
  • Microsoft Antimalware

It checks for the following strings to identify if it is running under a virtual machine or sandbox:

  • vbox
  • qemu
  • vmware
  • virtual hd

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.750
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 11.510.06
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 01 Nov 2014
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 11.511.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 02 Nov 2014

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

[ Learn More ]

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\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • {random} = "%System%\{random file name}.exe"

Step 5

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TSPY_URSNIF.XXPX. 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 6

The following created files/folders/registry keys/registry entries cannot be identified by the user since there are no reference values in the created key. The only way it can be identified is by comparing the present system information with a backup. Note that the said components do not have to be deleted since it won't be harmful to the system.

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\AppDataLow
    • {GUID} = ""


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