TSPY_ZBOT.YUYAVX

 Analysis by: Ryan Paolo Maglaque

 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 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.

It modifies the Internet Explorer Zone Settings.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

454,706 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

13 Feb 2017

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:

  • %Windows%\{Random Characters}.exe
  • %ProgramData%\{Random Folder Name}\{Random Characters}
  • %User Temp%\AutoIatry.XixM
  • %User Temp%\svnkit-license.txt
  • %User Temp%\totipalmation.dll
  • %User Temp%\nsqF27.tmp\System.dll

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.. %ProgramData% is the Program Data folder, where it usually is C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\ProgramData in Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.. %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %Program Data%\{Random Folder Name}

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
{Random Characters} = %Windows%\{Random Characters}.exe

Web Browser Home Page and Search Page Modification

This spyware modifies the Internet Explorer Zone Settings.

Other Details

This spyware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • {Random Characters}.{BLOCKED}pepok.net

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

13.218.06

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

13 Feb 2017

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

13.219.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

14 Feb 2017

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • {Random Characters} = %Windows%\{Random Characters}.exe

Step 5

Search and delete these folders

[ 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.
  • %ProgramData%\{Random Folder Name}

Step 6

Search and delete this file

[ Learn More ]
There may be some 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.
  • %Windows%\{Random Characters}.exe
  • %User Temp%\AutoIatry.XixM
  • %User Temp%\svnkit-license.txt
  • %User Temp%\totipalmation.dll
  • %User Temp%\nsqF27.tmp\System.dll

Step 7

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TSPY_ZBOT.YUYAVX. 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 8

Reset Internet security settings

[ Learn More ]


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