TSPY_QQPASS.ARH

 Analysis by: Kathleen Notario

 PLATFORM:

Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Trojan may be downloaded by other malware/grayware/spyware from remote sites. It may be dropped by other malware. It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

78,284 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

26 Jul 2010

Arrival Details

This Trojan may be downloaded by other malware/grayware/spyware from remote sites.

It may be dropped by other malware.

It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{8D79D9C6-D210-476A-82B7-5D9113A40CE3}
(default) = %Application Data%\Dna.sys

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{8D79D9C6-D210-476A-82B7-5D9113A40CE3}
=

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Tencent
=

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
ShellExecuteHooks
{8D79D9C6-D210-476A-82B7-5D9113A40CE3} =

Dropping Routine

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %Application Data%\Dna.sys - also detected as TSPY_QQPASS.ARH
  • %Application Data%\Dns.New - also detected as TSPY_QQPASS.ARH

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

Other Details

Based on analysis of the codes, it has the following capabilities:

  • Checks if it is loaded by any of the following files: Qq.exe, Explorer.exe, VerclsId.exe, or iexplore.exe.
  • Attempts to steal sensitive user information such as user names and passwords related to QQ, a popular Instant Messaging application in China.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

8.900

VSAPI PATTERN File:

7.340.02

VSAPI PATTERN Date:

27 Jul 2010

VSAPI PATTERN Date:

7/27/2010 12:00:00 AM

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

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\Explorer\ShellExecuteHooks
    • {8D79D9C6-D210-476A-82B7-5D9113A40CE3}=

Step 4

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
    • {8D79D9C6-D210-476A-82B7-5D9113A40CE3}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • Tencent

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TSPY_QQPASS.ARH. 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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