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TrojanSpy.Win32.FORMBOOK.SHPM

September 11, 2023
 Analysis by: John Rainier Navato
 ALIASES:

Trojan:Win32/NSISInject.RC!MTB (MICROSOFT)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan Spy

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware


This Trojan Spy connects to certain websites to send and receive information. It terminates itself if it detects it is being run in a virtual environment.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

218,925 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

28 Dec 2022

Payload:

Collects system information, Connects to URLs/IPs, Drops files, Creates files, Modifies system registry, Terminates self, Steals information

Installation

This Trojan Spy drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\{7 random characters 1}.tmp ← deleted afterwards
  • %User Temp%\{7 random characters 2}.tmp ← deleted afterwards
  • %User Temp%\{7 random characters 3}.tmp ← deleted after afterwards
  • %User Temp%\gvffc.ytu ← shellcode that will be decrypted and injected to vpxpxta.exe
  • %User Temp%\rdsdqatpbhs.z ← shellcode that will be decrypted and injected to vpxpxta.exe
  • %User Temp%\vpxpxta.exe
  • %Program Files%\{Random Characters}\{Random Characters}.exe ← copy of vpxpxta.exe
  • %Application Data%\{Random Characters Derived From Username and "/je14/"}\{Random Characters}log.ini ← contains gathered data
  • %Application Data%\{Random Characters Derived From Username and "/je14/"}\{Random Characters}logrc.ini ← contains gathered data

(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(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It adds the following processes:

  • %User Temp%\vpxpxta.exe "%User Temp%\rdsdqatpbhs.z"
  • %User Temp%\vpxpxta.exe
  • %System%\cmd.exe /c copy "%User Temp%\vpxpxta.exe" "%Program Files%\{Random Characters}\{Random Characters}.exe" /V
  • %System%\cmd.exe /c del "%User Temp%\vpxpxta.exe"

(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(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It creates the following folders:

  • %Program Files%\{Random Characters}
  • %Application Data%\{Random Characters Derived From Username and "/je14/"}

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

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

  • {16 random characters derived from the username 1}
  • {16 random characters derived from the username 2}

It injects codes into the following process(es):

  • explorer.exe (to spawn a legitimate Windows application)
  • Any of the following legitimate Windows applications (Spawned by the hijacked explorer.exe)
    • svchost.exe
    • msiexec.exe
    • wuauclt.exe
    • lsass.exe
    • wlanext.exe
    • msg.exe
    • lsm.exe
    • dwm.exe
    • help.exe
    • chkdsk.exe
    • cmmon32.exe
    • nbtstat.exe
    • spoolsv.exe
    • rdpclip.exe
    • control.exe
    • taskhost.exe
    • rundll32.exe
    • systray.exe
    • audiodg.exe
    • wininit.exe
    • services.exe
    • autochk.exe
    • autoconv.exe
    • autofmt.exe
    • cmstp.exe
    • colorcpl.exe
    • cscript.exe
    • explorer.exe
    • WWAHost.exe
    • ipconfig.exe
    • msdt.exe
    • mstsc.exe
    • NAPSTAT.EXE
    • netsh.exe
    • NETSTAT.EXE
    • raserver.exe
    • wscript.exe
    • wuapp.exe
    • cmd.exe
  • Target processes:
    • iexplore.exe
    • firefox.exe
    • chrome.exe
    • microsoftedgecp.exe
    • explorer.exe (to collect all gathered information from the target processes)
    • opera.exe
    • safari.exe
    • torch.exe
    • 360se.exe
    • maxthon.exe
    • seamonkey.exe
    • avant.exe
    • deepnet.exe
    • dragon.exe
    • avastszb.exe
    • 360browser.exe
    • notepad.exe
    • icedragon.exe
    • spark.exe
    • browser.exe
    • k-meleon.exe
    • blackhawk.exe
    • citrio.exe
    • coolnovo.exe
    • coowon.exe
    • cyberfox.exe
    • dooble.exe
    • vivaldi.exe
    • iridium.exe
    • luna.exe
    • epic.exe
    • midori.exe
    • mustang.exe
    • orbitum.exe
    • palemoon.exe
    • qtweb.exe
    • qupzilla.exe
    • sleipnir.exe
    • superbird.exe
    • ucbrowser.exe
    • waterfox.exe
    • ybrowser.exe
    • outlook.exe
    • operamail.exe
    • foxmail.exe
    • incmail.exe
    • thunderbird.exe
    • barca.exe
    • gmailnotifierpro.exe
    • yahoomessenger.exe
    • icq.exe
    • pidgin.exe
    • trillian.exe
    • 3dftp.exe
    • absolutetelnet.exe
    • alftp.exe
    • bitkinex.exe
    • coreftp.exe
    • whatsapp.exe
    • far.exe
    • filezilla.exe
    • flashfxp.exe
    • fling.exe
    • leechftp.exe
    • ncftp.exe
    • scriptftp.exe
    • smartftp.exe
    • totalcmd.exe
    • webdrive.exe
    • winscp.exe
    • skype.exe

It terminates itself if it finds the following processes in the affected system's memory:

  • vmwareuser.exe
  • vmwareservice.exe
  • vboxservice.exe
  • vboxtray.exe
  • sandboxiedcomlaunch.exe
  • sandboxierpcss.exe
  • procmon.exe
  • filemon.exe
  • wireshark.exe
  • netmon.exe
  • prl_tools_service.exe
  • prl_tools.exe
  • prl_cc.exe
  • SharedIntApp.exe
  • vmtoolsd.exe
  • vmsrvc.exe
  • vmusrvc.exe
  • python.exe
  • perl.exe
  • regmon.exe

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{Random Characters} = %Program Files%\{Random Characters}\{Random Characters}.exe

Information Theft

This Trojan Spy gathers the following data:

  • Username
  • OS Version and Product Name
  • OS Architecture
  • CRC32 of SID
  • Information from the following applications:
    • Web Browsers
      • 360 Browser
      • 360 Secure Browser
      • Apple Safari
      • Avant Browser
      • Avast Secure Browser
      • BlackHawk Web Browser
      • Citrio Browser
      • Comodo Dragon Browser
      • Comodo IceDragon Browser
      • CoolNovo Browser
      • Coowon Browser
      • Cyberfox Browser
      • Deepnet Explorer
      • Dooble Web Browser
      • Epic Privacy Browser
      • Google Chrome
      • Internet Explorer
      • Iridium Browser
      • K-Meleon Browser
      • LunaScape Browser
      • Maxthon Browser
      • Microsoft Edge
      • Midori Browser
      • Mozilla Firefox
      • Mustang Browser
      • Opera Browser
      • Orbitum Browser
      • Pale Moon Browser
      • QtWeb Browser
      • QupZilla Browser
      • SeaMonkey Browser
      • Sleipnir Browser
      • Spark Browser
      • Superbird Browser
      • Torch Browser
      • UC Browser
      • Vivaldi Browser
      • Waterfox Browser
      • Yandex Browser
    • Email Clients
      • Barca Email Client
      • Foxmail Email Client
      • Google Gmail Notifier Pro
      • IncrediMail
      • Microsoft Outlook
      • Mozilla Thunderbird
      • Opera Mail Client
    • IM Clients
      • ICQ Instant Messenger
      • Pidgin Instant Messenger
      • Skype
      • Trillian Instant Messenger
      • WhatsApp Desktop
      • Yahoo Messenger
    • FTP Clients
      • 3D-FTP
      • AbsoluteTelnet
      • ALFTP
      • BitKinex
      • Core FTP
      • FAR Manager
      • FileZilla FTP Client
      • FlashFXP
      • Fling FTP Software
      • LeechFTP
      • NcFTP
      • ScriptFTP
      • SmartFTP
      • Total Commander
      • WebDrive
      • WinSCP
    • Others
      • Windows Explorer
      • Windows Notepad
  • Clipboard Data
  • Keystrokes

Other Details

This Trojan Spy connects to the following website to send and receive information:

  • http://www.{BLOCKED}edlagroup.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}isionbuildings.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}rgysocialite.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}8.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}r.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}esolutions.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www{BLOCKED}zone6.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}s.rest/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}b.online/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}c.club/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}entered.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}px.store/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}n-ac.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}eachwateradventures.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}e.co.uk/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}gi-bunkou.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}ddie.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}nk-help-849c3.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}ndelsonderneming.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}nhreal.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}rapi.online/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}wnload.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}t.one/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}court.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}slambert.store/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}outvapes.co.uk/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}g.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}nd-spices-lyon.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}suo.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}slesgardens.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}utransit.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}codes.website/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}e.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}r.space/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}o.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}oaliwen.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}g.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}6.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}vip.net/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}ng168.info/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}uz.top/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}abworx.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}glennevents.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}iregar.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}2.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}usic.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}c.xyz/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}p.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}azar.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}r.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}mentoslaencantada.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}ld.info/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}corsuppliers.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}thrm.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}y.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}essee.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}uz.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}lhess.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}elli.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}lymetheseer.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}rowthproducts.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}istudio.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}ss-37684.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}ishfilms.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}1cpw.com/je14/?dDf={Random}&1b9L_={Random}

It terminates itself if it detects it is being run in a virtual environment.

It does the following:

  • It terminates itself if its filename has a length greater than or equal to 32 characters.
  • It terminates itself if one of the following DLL is loaded on its memory:
    • SbieDll.dll
  • It terminates itself if one of the following modules loaded on its memory has the following strings in their filepath:
    • \cuckoo\
    • \sandcastle\
    • \aswsnx\
    • \sandbox\
    • \smpdir\
    • \samroot\
    • \avctestsuite\
  • It looks for the following strings on HTTP requests:
    • pass
    • token
    • email
    • login
    • sign in
    • account
    • persistent

It terminates itself if any of the following user name(s) are found in the affected system:

  • cuckoo
  • sandbox-
  • nmsdbox-
  • xxxx-ox-
  • cwsx-
  • wilbert-sc
  • xpamast-sc

It does not proceed to its malicious routine if it detects that it is being debugged.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

18.687.00

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

09 Sep 2023

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

18.687.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

10 Sep 2023

Step 1

Trend Micro Predictive Machine Learning detects and blocks malware at the first sign of its existence, before it executes on your system. When enabled, your Trend Micro product detects this malware under the following machine learning name:

     
    • TROJ.Win32.TRX.XXPE50FSX038

Step 2

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 3

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 4

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 5

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
    • {Random Characters} = %Program Files%\{Random Characters}\{Random Characters}.exe

Step 6

Search and delete these files

[ 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.
    • %User Temp%\{7 random characters}.tmp
    • %User Temp%\{7 random characters 2}.tmp
    • %User Temp%\{7 random characters 3}.tmp
    • %User Temp%\gvffc.ytu
    • %User Temp%\rdsdqatpbhs.z
    • %User Temp%\vpxpxta.exe
    • %Program Files%\{Random Characters}\{Random Characters}.exe
    • %Application Data%\{Random Characters Derived From Username and /je14/}\{Random Characters}log.ini
    • %Application Data%\{Random Characters Derived From Username and /je14/}\{Random Characters}logrc.ini

Step 7

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.
    • %Program Files%\{Random Characters}
    • %Application Data%\{Random Characters Derived From Username and /je14/}

Step 8

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