TSPY_KEYLOG.LNK

 Analysis by: Michael Cabel

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)

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

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Spammed via email

This is a keylogger found inside a spammed email message that purports to come from the Cabinet Office Information Systems Office.

To get a one-glance comprehensive view of the behavior of this Spyware, refer to the Threat Diagram shown below.

This spyware arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users.

It logs a user's keystrokes to steal information.

It deletes the initially executed copy of itself.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

234,328 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

24 Jan 2012

Arrival Details

This spyware arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users.

Installation

This spyware drops the following files:

  • {All Users Profile}\Microsoft\PDA\Mircosoft System..DLL

It creates the following folders:

  • {All Users Profile}\Microsoft\PDA

Autostart Technique

This spyware registers itself as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup by adding the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\Mircosoft System.
Type = 10

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\Mircosoft System.
Start = 2

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\Mircosoft System.
ErrorControl = 1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\Mircosoft System.
ImagePath = %System%\svchost.exe -k LocalService

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\Mircosoft System.
DisplayName = "Mircosoft System."

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\Mircosoft System.
ObjectName = "LocalSystem"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\Mircosoft System.
Description = "Mircosoft System."

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\Mircosoft System.\Parameters
ServiceDll = {All Users Profile}\Microsoft\PDA\Mircosoft System..DLL

Other System Modifications

This spyware modifies the following registry key(s)/entry(ies) as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SvcHost
LocalService = {Default Value} Mircosoft System.

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {Default Value}.)

It adds the following registry keys as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SS

Information Theft

This spyware logs a user's keystrokes to steal information.

Stolen Information

This spyware saves the stolen information in the following file:

  • %System%\intel.dat

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)

It sends the gathered information via HTTP POST to the following URL:

  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.60.142

Other Details

This spyware deletes the initially executed copy of itself

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

9.679.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

24 Jan 2013

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\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
    • Mircosoft System.
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • SS

Step 4

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\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SvcHost
    • From: LocalService = {Default Value} Mircosoft System.
      To: LocalService = {Default Value}

Step 5

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.
  • {All Users Profile}\Microsoft\PDA

Step 6

Search and delete these files

[ Learn More ]
There may be some component 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%\intel.dat
  • %AppDataLocal%\VirtualStore\Windows\System32\intel.dat

Step 7

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