arrow_back
search
close

TSPY_POSFIGHT.B

May 05, 2015
 Analysis by: Miguel Carlo Ang
 ALIASES:

Trojan-Spy.Win32.POS.w(Kaspersky);Win32:PunkeyPOS-D [Trj](Avast);W32/POSFight.B!tr(Fortinet)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Dropped by other malware, Downloaded from the Internet

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 commands from a remote malicious user, effectively compromising the affected system.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

614,400 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

10 Mar 2015

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs, Compromises system security, Drops files

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 copies of itself into the affected system and executes them:

  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\InternetExplorer.exe (if Admin)
  • %Windows%\Microsoft\InternetExplorer.exe (if not Admin)

(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming 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.. %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

It drops the following component file(s):

  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\ActiveComponent.bat (if Admin)
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\ActiveComponent.exe (if Admin)
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\traces.txt (if Admin)
  • %Windows%\Microsoft\ActiveComponent.bat (if not Admin)
  • %Windows%\Microsoft\ActiveComponent.exe (if not Admin)
  • %Windows%\Microsoft\traces.txt (if not Admin)

(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming 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.. %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

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

  • FgV2w8cTAkF0s4s

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
ActiveControl = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\ActiveComponent.bat (if Admin) %Windows%\Microsoft\ActiveComponent.bat (if not Admin)"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Microsoft = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\InternetExplorer.exe (if Admin) %Windows%\Microsoft\InternetExplorer.exe (if not Admin)"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Microsoft = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\InternetExplorer.exe (if Admin) %Windows%\Microsoft\InternetExplorer.exe (if not Admin)"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
ActiveControl = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\ActiveComponent.bat (if Admin) %Windows%\Microsoft\ActiveComponent.bat (if not Admin)"

It drops the following shortcut pointing to its copy in the User Startup folder to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

  • %User Startup%\Shortcut to Internet Explorer.lnk

(Note: %User Startup% is the current user's Startup folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.)

Other System Modifications

This spyware adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile
DoNotAllowExceptions = 0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\
List
{folder initial run}\{initial malware name}.exe = "{folder initial run}\{initial malware name}.exe:*:Enabled: Microsoft"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Security Center
UACDisableNotify = 0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
EnableLUA = 0

Backdoor Routine

This spyware executes the following commands from a remote malicious user:

  • Malware auto-update
  • File download and execution
  • Sending out credit card data
  • Sending out keylogged data
  • Layer 7 or Layer 4 DDoS Attacks

It connects to the following URL(s) to send and receive commands from a remote malicious user:

  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.77.74/BrFighter/bot/command.php?id=F7E2AA10&os={OS}&com={COMPUTER NAME}&ver=6.4
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.77.74/BrFighter/bot/log.php?id=
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.77.74/BrFighter/bot/keylogger.php?id=4637453241413130&com=445949542D57494E58502D583836&key=
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.77.74/BrFighter/bot/dumper.php?id=4637453241413130&com=445949542D57494E58502D583836&log=

Dropping Routine

This spyware drops the following file(s), which it uses for its keylogging routine:

  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\[KEYLOG].dat
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\[KEYLOG]{COMPUTER NAME}.dat
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\[DUMPS].dat
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\[DUMPS]{COMPUTER NAME}.dat

(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming 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.)

NOTES:

It has memory scrapping capability, in which it scans running processes except for the following which it skips:

  • "svchost.exe"
  • "System"
  • "smss.exe"
  • "csrss.exe"
  • "winlogon.exe"
  • "lsass.exe"
  • "spoolsv.exe"
  • "alg.exe"
  • "wuauclt.exe"
  • "[System Process]"

It then reads process memory and searches for potential credit card numbers which is verified by using Luhn algorithm. Once verified, it then lists this data to traces.txt.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.750

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

11.590.01

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

08 Apr 2015

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

11.591.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

09 Apr 2015

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

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as TSPY_POSFIGHT.B

Step 4

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 5

Search and delete the files detected as TSPY_POSFIGHT.B

*Note: Some component files may be 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.

To stop the malware/grayware from running when certain files are opened:

For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:

  1. Right-click Start then click Search....
  2. In the File name* input box, type the name of the file that was detected earlier.
  3. In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer then press Enter.
  4. Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
    *Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).

For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 (R2):

  1. Open a Windows Explorer window.
    • For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
    • For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen,then click File Explorer.
  2. In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type the name of the file that was detected earlier.
  3. Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
    *Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.

Step 6

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\CurrentVersion\Run
    • ActiveControl = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\ActiveComponent.bat (if Admin) %Windows%\Microsoft\ActiveComponent.bat (if not Admin)"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • Microsoft = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\InternetExplorer.exe (if Admin) %Windows%\Microsoft\InternetExplorer.exe (if not Admin)"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • Microsoft = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\InternetExplorer.exe (if Admin) %Windows%\Microsoft\InternetExplorer.exe (if not Admin)"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • ActiveControl = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\ActiveComponent.bat (if Admin) %Windows%\Microsoft\ActiveComponent.bat (if not Admin)"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile
    • DoNotAllowExceptions = 0
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\List
    • {folder initial run}\{initial malware name}.exe = "{folder initial run}\{initial malware name}.exe:*:Enabled: Microsoft"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center
    • UACDisableNotify = 0
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
    • EnableLUA = 0

Step 7

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.
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\ActiveComponent.bat (if Admin)
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\ActiveComponent.exe (if Admin)
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\traces.txt (if Admin)
  • %Windows%\Microsoft\ActiveComponent.bat (if not Admin)
  • %Windows%\Microsoft\ActiveComponent.exe (if not Admin)
  • %Windows%\Microsoft\traces.txt (if not Admin)
  • %User Startup%\Shortcut to Internet Explorer.lnk
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\[KEYLOG].dat
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\[KEYLOG]{COMPUTER NAME}.dat
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\[DUMPS].dat
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\[DUMPS]{COMPUTER NAME}.dat

Step 8

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


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.