ALIASES:

PWS-Zbot.gen.xs (McAfee); Packed.Generic.362 (Symantec); Trojan-Spy.Win32.Zbot.dssl (Kaspersky); Trojan.Generic.KDV.612373 (FSecure)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • 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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 42,592 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 02 May 2012

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:

  • %Program Files%\Common Files\Shell

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.)

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
ShellThumbnail = "%Program Files%\Common Files\Shell\ShellThumbnail.exe /v"

Dropping Routine

This spyware drops the following files:

  • %Program Files%\Common Files\Shell\ShellThumbnail.exe

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.)

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • ShellThumbnail = "%Program Files%\Common Files\Shell\ShellThumbnail.exe /v"

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.
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\Shell\ShellThumbnail.exe

Step 5

Search and delete this folder

[ 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.
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\Shell

Step 6

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TSPY_ZBOT.IZZ. 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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