TSPY_ZBOT.MIKW
Trojan.Zbot (Symantec); Trojan-Spy.Win32.Zbot.aygu (Kaspersky); Troj/Zbot-AIL (Sophos)
Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003
![](/vinfo/imgFiles/legend.jpg)
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.
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:
- %Application Data%\{random1}
- %Application Data%\{random2}
(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)
It injects itself into the following processes as part of its memory residency routine:
- dwm.exe
- rdpclip.exe
- ctfmon.exe
- wscntfy.exe
- taskeng.exe
- taskhost.exe
Other System Modifications
This spyware adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{random CLSID} = %Application Data%\{random1}\{random}.exe
It adds the following registry keys as part of its installation routine:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
{random}
Dropping Routine
This spyware drops the following files:
- %Application Data%\{random1}\{random}.exe
- %Application Data%\{random2}\{random}.{random}
(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)
NOTES:
It may attempt to access a website to download a file which contains information where it can download an updated copy of itself, and where to send its stolen data.
The said file may also contain a list of targeted bank-related websites from which it steals information. However, due to errors in its code, it fails to perform its intended routine.
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
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as TSPY_ZBOT.MIKW
Step 3
Restart in Safe Mode
Step 4
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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- {random CLSID} = %Application Data%\{random1}\{random}.exe
- {random CLSID} = %Application Data%\{random1}\{random}.exe
Step 5
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TSPY_ZBOT.MIKW. 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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