TROJ_KAZY.SMEC

 Modified by: Christopher Daniel So

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This malware attempts to establish a connection with certain remote hosts. It downloads an updated copy of itself or other malicious files from the said servers by sending a HTTP GET request. It does this by appending certain strings.

It monitors Internet browsers' activity and checks for certain strings of popular websites such as search engines and social networking sites to steal information.

This Trojan 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 registry entries to disable the Windows Firewall settings. This action allows this malware to perform its routines without being deteted by the Windows Firewall.

It disables antivirus services. This is done to allow this malware to perform its routines, avoiding removal from the system.

It modifies Internet Explorer security settings. This puts the affected computer at greater risk, as it allows malicious URLs to be accessed by the computer.

It executes the downloaded files. As a result, malicious routines of the downloaded files are exhibited on the affected system.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

Varies

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

26 Apr 2011

Arrival Details

This Trojan arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

Autostart Technique

This Trojan adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
conhost = "%User Profile%\Application Data\Microsoft\conhost.exe"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Shell = "explorer.exe,%User Profile%\Application Data\dwm.exe"

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
load = "%User Temp%\csrss.exe"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is .)

Other System Modifications

This Trojan modifies the following registry key(s)/entry(ies) as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
ProxyEnable = "1"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 0.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Hardware Profiles\Current\Software\
Microsoft\windows\CurrentVersion\
Internet Settings
ProxyEnable = "1"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 0.)

It also creates the following registry entry(ies) as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
ProxyServer = "http=127.0.0.1:{random port number}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Enum\Root\LEGACY_MSISERVER\
0000\Control
ActiveService = "MSIServer"

It modifies the following registry entries to disable the Windows Firewall settings:

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

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)

Process Termination

This Trojan disables antivirus services by terminating the following services if found on the affected system:

  • Avira
  • Norton
  • Symantec
  • AvastUI
  • Alwil Software
  • Avast
  • McAfee

Web Browser Home Page and Search Page Modification

This Trojan modifies Internet Explorer zone settings.

Download Routine

This Trojan connects to the following URL(s) to download its component file(s):

  • http://{BLOCKED}rom.at/polytheism/pictures/TanzenderShiva.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}eafdesign.com/blog/images/share/stumble.png
  • http://{BLOCKED}eafdesign.com/blog/images/share/facebook.png
  • http://{BLOCKED}ftwaredevelopment.com/WindowsLiveWriter/web-2_0_thumb_1.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}ar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=f2a3889aff6fc9711a3cbcfe64067be1
  • http://{BLOCKED}ar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=f2a3889aff6fc9711a3cbcfe64067be2
  • http://{BLOCKED}o.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/web-20-what-is-300x251.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}om/img/icons/twitter.png
  • http://{BLOCKED}om/img/icons/facebook.png
  • http://{BLOCKED}ylifenow.com/templates/7348/images/header_logo.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}ylifenow.com/templates/7349/images/header_logo.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}dandbarrett.com/images/footer/account.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}dandbarrett.com/images/footer/account.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}sautoelectric.com/images/50-217-1_F_1_.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}sautoelectric.com/images/50-217-1_F_2_.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}bizdirectory.com/images/PowerShowBanner.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}bizdirectory.com/images/PowerHideBanner.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}opaganda.net/blog/pics/3321.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}opaganda.net/blog/pics/3322.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}segreenteaonline.com/assets/images/greentea-cha-1.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}segreenteaonline.com/assets/images/greentea-cha-2.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}erbalteaonline.com/images/greenherbalteagirlholdingcup250.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}erbalteaonline.com/images/greenherbalteagirlholdingcup350.gif
  • http://{BLOCKED}institute.com/g7/images/logo.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}institute.com/g7/images/logo2.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}institute.com/g7/images/logo3.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}institute.com/g7/images/logo4.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}datingsecretfriends.com/images/im133.jpg
  • http://{BLOCKED}datingsecretfriends.com/images/im134.jpg

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • %User Temp%\csrss.exe - also detected as TROJ_KAYC.SMEC
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\dwm.exe - also detected as TROJ_KAYC.SMEC
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Microsoft\conhost.exe - also detected as TROJ_KAYC.SMEC
  • %User Temp%\6.exe
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\A1B2.580 - non malicious

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name} on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name} on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

It then executes the downloaded files. As a result, malicious routines of the downloaded files are exhibited on the affected system.

NOTES:
Attempts to establish a connection with the following remote hosts:

  • http://{BLOCKED}.253.103
  • http://{BLOCKED}.152.200
  • http://{BLOCKED}.157.41
  • http://{BLOCKED}.52.190
  • http://{BLOCKED}.71.190
  • http://{BLOCKED}.223.193
  • http://{BLOCKED}.3.141
  • http://{BLOCKED}.3.141
  • http://{BLOCKED}.161.245
  • http://{BLOCKED}.161.245
  • http://{BLOCKED}.241.34
  • http://{BLOCKED}.241.56
  • http://{BLOCKED}.241.67
  • http://{BLOCKED}.241.73
  • http://{BLOCKED}.244.240
  • http://{BLOCKED}.26.117
  • http://{BLOCKED}.249.117
  • http://{BLOCKED}.249.117
  • http://{BLOCKED}.69.4
  • http://{BLOCKED}.47.104
  • http://{BLOCKED}.67.104
  • http://{BLOCKED}.169.85
  • http://{BLOCKED}.169.85
  • http://{BLOCKED}.bluehost.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}.securedboxhm.com
Connects to the following URLs:
  • http://{BLOCKED}.com/index.html
  • http://{BLOCKED}amplestore.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}lddisordervideo.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}aday.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}tebookportal.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}programmingshool.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}etalfunclub.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}iosystem.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}stpreviw.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}skopia.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}oisdb.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}grammingshool.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}cureonline.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}aclubonline.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}ioz.com
Downloads an updated copy of itself or other malicious files from the said servers by sending a HTTP GET request. It does this by appending any of the following strings:
  • /im133.jpg?v{2digits number}={parameter}
  • /im134?v{2digits number}={parameter}
  • /3521.jpg?v{2digits number}={parameter}
  • /3522.jpg?v{2digits number}={parameter}
  • /3523.jpg?v{2digits number}={parameter}
Monitors Internet browsers' activity and checks for the following strings of popular websites such as search engines and social networking sites to steal information:
  • .bing.net
  • .yimg.com
  • aolcdn.
  • bing.com
  • google.
  • gstatic.
  • search.aol.
  • searcht2.aol.
  • suche.aol.
  • yahoo.
  • yahoo.com

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

8.900

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 TROJ_KAZY.SMEC

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
    • Shell = "explorer.exe,%User Profile%\Application Data\dwm.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • ProxyServer = "http=127.0.0.1:{random port number}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • conhost = "%User Profile%\Application Data\Microsoft\conhost.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root\LEGACY_MSISERVER\0000\Control
    • ActiveService = "MSIServer"

Step 5

Restore this modified 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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
    • From: load = "%User Temp%\csrss.exe"
      To: load = ""
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • From: ProxyEnable = "1"
      To: ProxyEnable = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Hardware Profiles\Current\Software\Microsoft\windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • From: ProxyEnable = "1"
      To: ProxyEnable = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile
    • From: EnableFirewall = "0"
      To: EnableFirewall = "1"

Step 6

Search and delete the file detected as TROJ_KAZY.SMEC

[ Learn More ]
Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden files in the search result.

Step 7

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TROJ_KAZY.SMEC. 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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