TSPY_ZBOT.SMYX
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
![](/vinfo/imgFiles/legend.jpg)
Threat Type: Spyware
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: Yes
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 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:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista and 7.)
It 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:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista and 7.)
It adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:
- Global\{GUID}
- Local\{GUID}
It is injected into the following processes running in memory:
- ctfmon.exe
- dwm.exe
- explorer.exe
- rdpclip.exe
- taskeng.exe
- taskhost.exe
- wscntfy.exe
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
GUID = %Application Data%\{random1}\{random}.exe
Other System Modifications
This spyware adds the following registry keys as part of its installation routine:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
{random}
Download Routine
This spyware accesses the following websites to download files:
- http://{pseudorandom alpha characters}.{BLOCKED}z/forum/
- http://{pseudorandom alpha characters}.{BLOCKED}g/forum/
- http://{pseudorandom alpha characters}.{BLOCKED}o/forum/
- http://{pseudorandom alpha characters}.{BLOCKED}t/forum/
- http://{pseudorandom alpha characters}.{BLOCKED}m/forum/
NOTES:
It may connect to a remote URL to download its configuration file. The said file contains information where the malware can download an updated copy of itself, and where to send its stolen data. It also contains a list of targeted bank-related websites from which it steals information. The URL where it connects to is randomly generated using a randomizing function, which is computed based on the system's current date. However, as of this writing, none of the sites were accessible.
It may also gather the following information from the affected system:
- Data on Cookie files (URLs)
- Email information stored in the user’s Windows Address Book (WAB) file
SOLUTION
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
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as TSPY_ZBOT.SMYX
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
- GUID = %Application Data%\{random1}\{random}.exe
- GUID = %Application Data%\{random1}\{random}.exe
Step 5
Search and delete these folders
Step 6
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TSPY_ZBOT.SMYX. 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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