TSPY_CIMUZ.DAM

 Analysis by: Sabrina Lei Sioting

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 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 executes the dropped file(s). As a result, malicious routines of the dropped files are exhibited on the affected system.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

337,920 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

20 Mar 2010

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 and executes the following files:

  • %System%\iebho.dll

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)

Autostart Technique

This spyware registers itself as a BHO to ensure its automatic execution every time Internet Explorer is used by adding the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{D032570A-5F63-4812-A094-87D007C23012}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow

It registers itself as a BHO to ensure its automatic execution every time Internet Explorer is used by adding the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\
BHOinit
url = http://{BLOCKED}upforsafedd.com/pickit/

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\
BHOinit
url2 = http://{BLOCKED}tupforsafedd.com/pickit/

Other System Modifications

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

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D032570A-5F63-4812-A094-87D007C23012}\
InprocServer32
@ = "%System%\iebho.dll"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{D032570A-5F63-4812-A094-87D007C23012}\InprocServer32
@ = "%System%\iebho.dll"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Enable Browser Extensions = "yes"

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{D032570A-5F63-4812-A094-87D007C23012}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D032570A-5F63-4812-A094-87D007C23012}

Dropping Routine

This spyware executes the dropped file(s). As a result, malicious routines of the dropped files are exhibited on the affected system.

Other Details

This spyware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}upforsafedd.com/pickit/

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

6.936.06

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

20 Mar 2010

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

6.937.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

21 Mar 2010

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

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

Delete this registry key

[ 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_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {D032570A-5F63-4812-A094-87D007C23012}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID
    • {D032570A-5F63-4812-A094-87D007C23012}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • AppDataLow
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects
    • {D032570A-5F63-4812-A094-87D007C23012}

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\Internet Explorer\Main
    • Enable Browser Extensions = "yes"

Step 5

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.
  • %System%\iebho.dll

Step 6

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TSPY_CIMUZ.DAM. 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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