PLATFORM:

Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW



It modifies registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup.
It attempts to steal information, such as user names and passwords, used when logging into certain banking or finance-related websites.
It attempts to steal sensitive online banking information, such as user names and passwords. This routine risks the exposure of the user's account information, which may then lead to the unauthorized use of the stolen data.
It checks for the presence of the following processes which are related to Outpost Personal Firewall and ZoneLabs Firewall Client:

  • outpost.exe
  • zlclient.exe

It terminates if either of the said processes exist. This is to ensure that it runs uninterrupted. It also has rootkit capabilities, which enables it to hide its processes and files from the user.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS




Arrival Details


It may be downloaded from the following remote site(s):

  • http://{BLOCKED}rgs.biz/abc/loddd.exe



Autostart Technique


It modifies the following registry entries to ensure it automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Userinit=%System%\userinit.exe, %System%\sdra64.exe,

             (Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %System%\userinit.exe,.)



Download Routine


It connects to the following URL(s) to download its configuration file:

  • http://{BLOCKED}rgs.biz/abc/abc.bin



Information Theft


It attempts to steal information from the following banks and/or other financial institutions:

  • HSBC

  • Microsoft

  • Myspace

  • OSPM

  • Odnoklassniki

  • Santander

  • Vkontakte


The downloaded file contains information where the malware can download an updated copy of itself, and where to send its stolen data.


It attempts to access a Web site to download a file which contains information where the Trojan can download an updated copy of itself, and where to send its stolen data. This configuration file also contains the following list of targeted bank-related Web sites from which it steals information:

  • !*.microsoft.com/*

  • !http://*myspace.com*

  • https://www.gruposantander.es/*

  • !http://*odnoklassniki.ru/*

  • !http://vkontakte.ru/*

  • @*/login.osmp.ru/*

  • @*/atl.osmp.ru/*

  • *.hsbc.co.uk/1/2*

  • *hsbc.co.uk*gate.php*


It attempts to steal sensitive online banking information, such as user names and passwords. This routine risks the exposure of the user's account information, which may then lead to the unauthorized use of the stolen data.



Installation


It creates the following folders:

  • %System%\lowsec


It adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:

  • _AVIRA_2109


It injects itself into the following processes as part of its memory residency routine:

  • SVCHOST.EXE

  • WINLOGON.EXE


It drops the following non-malicious files:

  • %System%\lowsec\local.ds - copy of the encrypted downloaded file

  • %System%\lowsec\user.ds - used to save the gathered information



Other Details


It checks for the presence of the following processes which are related to Outpost Personal Firewall and ZoneLabs Firewall Client:

  • outpost.exe
  • zlclient.exe

It terminates if either of the said processes exist. This is to ensure that it runs uninterrupted. It also has rootkit capabilities, which enables it to hide its processes and files from the user.



Other System Modifications


It adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Network
UID={Computer name}_{Random numbers}


It creates the following registry entry(ies) to bypass Windows Firewall:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\ Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\ FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile
EnableFirewall=0



Stolen Information


It sends the gathered information via HTTP POST to the following URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}rgs.biz/abc/jdfhf.php


It saves the stolen information in the following file:

  • %System%\lowsec\user.ds



Variant Information


It has the following MD5 hashes:

  • d5dd0609cb8091d66c86d2029eab65f2


It has the following SHA1 hashes:

  • cfd63207ffd84a8bfb04509f3282011043738c72

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 8.900


Step 1
For Windows ME and XP 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
Restore this modified registry value This step allows you to undo a change done by the malware/grayware/spyware to a 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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft`Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
    • From: Userinit = %System%\userinit.exe, %System%\sdra64.exe,
      To: %System%\userinit.exe,

To restore the registry value this malware/grayware/spyware modified:

  1. Open Registry Editor. Click Start>Run, type REGEDIT, then press Enter.
  2. In the left panel, double-click the following:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft`Windows NT>CurrentVersion>Winlogon
  3. In the right panel, locate the registry value:
    Userinit = %System%\userinit.exe, %System%\sdra64.exe,
  4. Right-click on the value name and choose Modify. Change the value data of this entry to:
    %System%\userinit.exe,
  5. Close Registry Editor.

Step 4
Delete this registry value This step allows you to delete the registry value created by the malware/grayware/spyware.

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 NT\CurrentVersion\Network
    • UID = {Computer name}_{Random numbers}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile
    • EnableFirewall = 0

To delete the registry value this malware/grayware/spyware created:

  1. Open Registry Editor. Click Start>Run, type REGEDIT, then press Enter.
  2. In the left panel, double-click the following:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows NT>CurrentVersion>Network
  3. In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
    UID = {Computer name}_{Random numbers}
  4. In the left panel, double-click the following:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SYSTEM>CurrentControlSet>Services>SharedAccess>Parameters>FirewallPolicy>StandardProfile
  5. In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
    EnableFirewall = 0
  6. Close Registry Editor.

Step 5
Search and delete this folder This step allows you to search and delete the folder created by this malware/grayware/spyware. 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. %System%lowsec

To delete the malware/grayware/spyware folder:

  1. Right-click Start then click Search... or Find..., depending on the version of Windows you are running.
  2. In the Named input box, type:
      %System%lowsec
  3. In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer, then press Enter.
  4. Once located, select the folder then press SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the folder.

Step 6
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TSPY_ZBOT.ZR 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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