TSPY_SPYEYE.ATC

 Analysis by: JessaD

 ALIASES:

Trojan:Win32/EyeStye.H (Microsoft), PWS-Spyeye.e (Mcafee), Trojan-Spy.Win32.SpyEyes.eim (Kaspersky)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000,Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW


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

It connects to a website to send and receive information.

It also has rootkit capabilities, which enables it to hide its processes and files from the user.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

282,112 bytes

File Type:

PE

File Compression:

UPX

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

14 Jan 2011

Payload:

Compromises system security

Arrival Details

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

It may be dropped by other malware.

Installation

This spyware drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %System Root%\portwexexe\portwexexe.exe

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

It drops the following non-malicious file:

  • %System Root%\portwexexe\config.bin

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %System Root%\portwexexe

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

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

  • twxter

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
portwexexe.exe = "%System Root%\portwexexe\portwexexe.exe"

Backdoor Routine

This spyware connects to the following websites to send and receive information:

  • http://{BLOCKED}aper.com

Rootkit Capabilities

This spyware also has rootkit capabilities, which enables it to hide its processes and files from the user.

Other Details

This spyware connects to the following URL(s) to check for an Internet connection:

  • www.microsoft.com

It does the following:

  • It initially connects to the server by sending information using the following format:
    • http://{BLOCKED}aper.com/trr1/degater65.php?guid={bot guid}&ver={bot version}&stat={bot status}&ie={IE version}&os={OS version}&ut={user type}&plg={plugin}&ccrc={crc of configuration file}&md5={md5 hash}
    Once a connection is established, it waits for commands from the server.
  • It steals FTP accounts
  • It steals POP3 accounts
  • It steals certificates
  • It captures screenshots
  • It captures entered information in web forms
  • It can perform webinjects in major browsers (e.g. Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.)
  • It automates the transfer of money in credit cards using the IP location

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

8.900

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

8.769.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

14 Jan 2011

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • portwexexe.exe = "%System Root%\portwexexe\portwexexe.exe"

Step 4

Search and delete this folder

[ 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 Root%\portwexexe

Step 5

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