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TrojanSpy.Win32.EMOTET

April 25, 2022
 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan Spy

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

Arrival Details

This Trojan Spy 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 Trojan Spy drops the following files:

  • If executed with administrator rights:
    • %System%\{Random Characters}\{Random Characters}.{3 Random Characters}
  • If executed without administrator rights:
    • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Characters}\{Random Characters}.{3 Random Characters}

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.. %AppDataLocal% is the Local Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It adds the following processes:

  • If executed with administrator rights:
    • %System%\regsvr32.exe /s "%System%\{Random Characters}\{Random Characters}.{3 Random Characters}"
  • If executed without administrator rights:
    • %System%\regsvr32.exe /s "%AppDataLocal%\{Random Characters}\{Random Characters}.{3 Random Characters}"

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.. %AppDataLocal% is the Local Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It creates the following folders:

  • If executed with administrator rights:
    • %System%\{Random Characters}
  • If executed without administrator rights:
    • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Characters}

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.. %AppDataLocal% is the Local Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

Other System Modifications

This Trojan Spy adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\{File name of dropped file}
ImagePath = %System%\regsvr32.exe /s "%System%\{random}\{random characters}.{3 random characters}" → If executed with administrator rights

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{File name of dropped file} = %System%\regsvr32.exe /s "%AppDataLocal%\{random}\{random characters}.{3 random characters}" → If executed without administrator rights

Other Details

This Trojan Spy connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • {URLs}

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 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

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\{File name of dropped file}
    • ImagePath = %System%\regsvr32.exe /s "%System%\{random}\{random characters}.{3 random characters}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • {File name of dropped file} = %System%\regsvr32.exe /s "%AppDataLocal%\{random}\{random characters}.{3 random characters}"
RESTORE
  • Close Registry Editor.

    • 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%\{Random Characters}\{Random Characters}.{3 Random Characters}
    • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Characters}\{Random Characters}.{3 Random Characters}

    Step 6

    Search and delete these folders

    [ Learn More ]
    Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden folders in the search result.
    • %System%\{Random Characters}
    • %AppDataLocal%\{Random Characters}

    Step 7

    Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TrojanSpy.Win32.EMOTET. 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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