TSPY_KORPLUG.AK
Trojan:Win32/Tevesogu.A (Microsoft), Trojan.Win32.Agent2.fbtn (Kaspersky), a variant of Win32/Korplug.J trojan (Eset), Trojan.Win32.Tevesogu (Ikarus)
Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)
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.
It logs a user's keystrokes to steal information.
However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible. It deletes itself after execution.
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 component file(s):
- %Program Data%\Windows RemoteHelp Desk.DLL (Windows Vista and 7) - also detected as TSPY_KORPLUG.AK
- {All User's Profile}\Windows RemoteHelp Desk.DLL (Windows Vista and 7) - also detected as TSPY_KORPLUG.AK
- {User's Profile}\Application Data\Windows RemoteHelp Desk.DLL (versions other than Windows Vista and 7) - also detected as TSPY_KORPLUG.AK
Autostart Technique
This spyware adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\Windows RemoteHelp Desk\Parameters
ServiceDll = "{All User's Profile}\Application Data\Windows RemoteHelp Desk.DLL" (versions other than Windows Vista and 7)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\Windows RemoteHelp Desk\Parameters
ServiceDll = "%Program Data%\Windows RemoteHelp Desk.DLL" (Windows Vista and 7)
Dropping Routine
This spyware drops the following file(s), into which it saves gathered information:
- %Program Data%\SSK.LOG (Windows Vista and 7)
- {All User's Profile}\SSK.LOG (Windows Vista and 7)
- {All User's Profile}\Application Data\SSK.LOG (version other than Windows Vista and 7)
Information Theft
This spyware logs a user's keystrokes to steal information.
Drop Points
The said file is then sent to the following URL via HTTP POST:
- http://rss.{BLOCKED}-services.com:443/update?id={random characters}
Other Details
However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
It deletes itself after execution.
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
Restart in Safe Mode
Step 3
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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\Windows RemoteHelp Desk\Parameters
- ServiceDll = "%Program Data%\Windows RemoteHelp Desk.DLL"
- ServiceDll = "%Program Data%\Windows RemoteHelp Desk.DLL"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Windows RemoteHelp Desk\Parameters
- ServiceDll = "{All User's Profile}\Application Data\Windows RemoteHelp Desk>DLL"
- ServiceDll = "{All User's Profile}\Application Data\Windows RemoteHelp Desk>DLL"
Step 4
Search and delete this file
Step 5
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TSPY_KORPLUG.AK. 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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