TSPY_WOW.MK


 ALIASES:

PWS:Win32/Wowsteal.ZF (Microsoft); PWS-WoW (McAfee); Infostealer.Wowcraft (Symantec); Trojan-GameThief.Win32.WOW.t (Kaspersky); Packer.NSAnti.Gen (v) (Sunbelt); Trojan horse Generic.SYN (AVG)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

 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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

43,316 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

10 May 2013

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.

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
ToP = "%Windows%\LSASS.exe"

Other System Modifications

This spyware modifies the following file(s):

  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.XML
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.DTD
  • %Windows%\inf\intl.PNF

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista and 7.. %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows.)

It deletes the following files:

  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNSR.XML
  • %Windows%\fonts\msgothic.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\msuigoth.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\MSMINCHO.TTF
  • %Windows%\fonts\Gulim.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\Gulimche.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\Dotum.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\Batang.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\Gungsuh.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\Simsun.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\nsimsun.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\MingLiU.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\pmingliu.ttf
  • %System%\SET5C.tmp
  • %System%\kbd101b.dll
  • %System%\SET62.tmp
  • %System%\kbd101c.dll
  • %System%\SET68.tmp
  • %System%\kbd103.dll
  • %System%\SET6E.tmp
  • %System%\kbd106.dll
  • %System%\SET74.tmp
  • %System%\kbdjpn.dll
  • %System%\SET7A.tmp
  • %System%\kbdkor.dll

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista and 7.. %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows.. %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)

It adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
WindowFiles

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
WindowFiles\DefaultIcon

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
WindowFiles\Shell\Open\
Command

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\
Microsoft Soft Debuger\Settings

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\International\CpMRU

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Health\{44E2962F-7D64-418D-9C9F-19459F5B541E}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\
MMS

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\
HTTP

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\
RTSP

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Check_Associations = "No"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\
Microsoft Soft Debuger\Settings
GUID = "{8I5AO8-7L23GH-27R3MX-4D2ITG-X8I4J4}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\International\CpMRU
Enable = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\International\CpMRU
Size = "a"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\International\CpMRU
InitHits = "64"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\International\CpMRU
Factor = "14"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\International
W2KLpk = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows Media\WMSDK\General
UniqueID = "{D1866631-591C-4949-8981-76D61A4B4785}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows Media\WMSDK\General
ComputerName = "CWS10D109"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows Media\WMSDK\General
VolumeSerialNumber = "68adfd"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\
MMS
ProxyStyle = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\
MMS
ProxyPort = "6db"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\
MMS
ProxyBypass = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\
HTTP
ProxyStyle = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\
HTTP
ProxyPort = "5"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\
HTTP
ProxyBypass = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\
RTSP
ProxyStyle = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\
RTSP
ProxyPort = "22a"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\
RTSP
ProxyBypass = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
MediaPlayer\Player\Tasks\
NowPlaying
InitFlags = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\International
W2KLpk = "0"

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
DirectDraw\MostRecentApplication
Name = "LSASS.exe"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is iexplore.exe.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
DirectDraw\MostRecentApplication
ID = "4437e416"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 41107b81.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows Media\WMSDK\Namespace
LocalBase = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.XML"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %System Root%\Documents and Settings\Default User\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.XML.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows Media\WMSDK\Namespace
DTDFile = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.DTD"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %System Root%\Documents and Settings\Default User\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.DTD.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows Media\WMSDK\Namespace
LocalDelta = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNSD.XML"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %System Root%\Documents and Settings\Default User\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNSD.XML.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows Media\WMSDK\Namespace
RemoteDelta = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNSR.XML"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %System Root%\Documents and Settings\Default User\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNSR.XML.)

Dropping Routine

This spyware drops the following files:

  • %Windows%\LSASS.exe
  • %Program Files%\intern~1\INTEXPLORE.com
  • %Program Files%\common~1\INTEXPLORE.pif
  • %Windows%\EXERT.exe
  • d:\command.com
  • %System%\MSCONFIG.COM
  • %System%\dxdiag.com
  • %System%\regedit.com
  • %Windows%\Debug\DebugProgram.exe
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.XML.bak
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.XML.done
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNSD.XML
  • %System%\SET59.tmp
  • %System%\SET5F.tmp
  • %System%\SET65.tmp
  • %System%\SET6B.tmp
  • %System%\SET71.tmp
  • %System%\SET77.tmp
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.XML
  • %System%\SET5C.tmp
  • %System%\SET62.tmp
  • %System%\SET68.tmp
  • %System%\SET6E.tmp
  • %System%\SET74.tmp
  • %System%\SET7A.tmp

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes
    • WindowFiles
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WindowFiles
    • DefaultIcon
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WindowFiles\Shell\Open
    • Command
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\Microsoft Soft Debuger
    • Settings
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\International
    • CpMRU
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Health
    • {44E2962F-7D64-418D-9C9F-19459F5B541E}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences
    • ProxySettings
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings
    • MMS
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings
    • HTTP
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings
    • RTSP

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\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • ToP = "%Windows%\LSASS.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
    • Check_Associations = "No"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\Microsoft Soft Debuger\Settings
    • GUID = "{8I5AO8-7L23GH-27R3MX-4D2ITG-X8I4J4}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\International\CpMRU
    • Enable = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\International\CpMRU
    • Size = "a"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\International\CpMRU
    • InitHits = "64"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\International\CpMRU
    • Factor = "14"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\International
    • W2KLpk = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Media\WMSDK\General
    • UniqueID = "{D1866631-591C-4949-8981-76D61A4B4785}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Media\WMSDK\General
    • ComputerName = "CWS10D109"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Media\WMSDK\General
    • VolumeSerialNumber = "68adfd"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\MMS
    • ProxyStyle = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\MMS
    • ProxyPort = "6db"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\MMS
    • ProxyBypass = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\HTTP
    • ProxyStyle = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\HTTP
    • ProxyPort = "5"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\HTTP
    • ProxyBypass = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\RTSP
    • ProxyStyle = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\RTSP
    • ProxyPort = "22a"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\ProxySettings\RTSP
    • ProxyBypass = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Player\Tasks\NowPlaying
    • InitFlags = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\International
    • W2KLpk = "0"

Step 5

Restore these modified registry values

[ Learn More ]

Important:Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this only if you know how to or you can seek your system administrator's help. You may also check out this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DirectDraw\MostRecentApplication
    • From: Name = "LSASS.exe"
      To: Name = ""iexplore.exe""
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DirectDraw\MostRecentApplication
    • From: ID = "4437e416"
      To: ID = ""41107b81""
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Media\WMSDK\Namespace
    • From: LocalBase = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.XML"
      To: LocalBase = ""%System Root%\Documents and Settings\Default User\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.XML""
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Media\WMSDK\Namespace
    • From: DTDFile = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.DTD"
      To: DTDFile = ""%System Root%\Documents and Settings\Default User\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.DTD""
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Media\WMSDK\Namespace
    • From: LocalDelta = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNSD.XML"
      To: LocalDelta = ""%System Root%\Documents and Settings\Default User\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNSD.XML""
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Media\WMSDK\Namespace
    • From: RemoteDelta = "%Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNSR.XML"
      To: RemoteDelta = ""%System Root%\Documents and Settings\Default User\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNSR.XML""

Step 6

Search and delete these components

[ Learn More ]
There may be some components 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.
  • %Windows%\LSASS.exe
  • %Program Files%\intern~1\INTEXPLORE.com
  • %Program Files%\common~1\INTEXPLORE.pif
  • %Windows%\EXERT.exe
  • d:\command.com
  • %System%\MSCONFIG.COM
  • %System%\dxdiag.com
  • %System%\regedit.com
  • %Windows%\Debug\DebugProgram.exe
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.XML.bak
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.XML.done
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNSD.XML
  • %System%\SET59.tmp
  • %System%\SET5F.tmp
  • %System%\SET65.tmp
  • %System%\SET6B.tmp
  • %System%\SET71.tmp
  • %System%\SET77.tmp
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.XML
  • %System%\SET5C.tmp
  • %System%\SET62.tmp
  • %System%\SET68.tmp
  • %System%\SET6E.tmp
  • %System%\SET74.tmp
  • %System%\SET7A.tmp

Step 7

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

Step 8

Restore deleted/modified files and/or registry entries from backup

*Note: Only Microsoft-related files/keys/values will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted registry keys/values related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on your computer.

    • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.XML
    • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNS.DTD
    • %Windows%\inf\intl.PNF

Step 9

Restore this file from backup only Microsoft-related files will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted files related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on you computer again.

  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows Media\9.0\WMSDKNSR.XML
  • %Windows%\fonts\msgothic.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\msuigoth.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\MSMINCHO.TTF
  • %Windows%\fonts\Gulim.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\Gulimche.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\Dotum.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\Batang.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\Gungsuh.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\Simsun.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\nsimsun.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\MingLiU.ttf
  • %Windows%\fonts\pmingliu.ttf
  • %System%\SET5C.tmp
  • %System%\kbd101b.dll
  • %System%\SET62.tmp
  • %System%\kbd101c.dll
  • %System%\SET68.tmp
  • %System%\kbd103.dll
  • %System%\SET6E.tmp
  • %System%\kbd106.dll
  • %System%\SET74.tmp
  • %System%\kbdjpn.dll
  • %System%\SET7A.tmp
  • %System%\kbdkor.dll


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.