Modified by: Byron Jon Gelera
ALIASES:

TrojanSpy:Win32/Ardamax.A (Microsoft); Suspicious.MH690.A (Symantec); Trojan-Spy.Win32.Ardamax.n (Kaspersky)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel: Downloaded from the Internet

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: 622,663 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 30 Jul 2016
Payload: Deletes files

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.

Installation

This spyware drops the following component file(s):

  • %User Temp%\@{random}.tmp - Larger file contains the binary of other dropped file
  • %User Temp%\@{random}.tmp - Smaller file is a dll that has a function that would perform its dropping routine
  • %System%\28463\PBHO.01
  • %System%\28463\PBHO.06 - detected as SPYW_ARDAKEY
  • %System%\28463\PBHO.07 - detected as SPYW_ARDAKEY

(Note: %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

It drops and executes the following files:

  • %System%\28463\PBHO.exe - detected as SPYW_KEYLOG
  • %User Temp%\loader.exe - detected as HKTL_SILKSPY

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.. %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %System%\28463\

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

Other System Modifications

This spyware deletes the following files:

  • %User Temp%\@{random}.tmp - Smaller file which is a dll

(Note: %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 5.883.00
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 08 Apr 2009
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 5.884.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 09 Apr 2009

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

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

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%\28463

Step 4

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.
  • %User Temp%\@{random}.tmp
  • %System%\28463\PBHO.01
  • %System%\28463\PBHO.06
  • %System%\28463\PBHO.07
  • %System%\28463\PBHO.exe
  • %User Temp%\loader.exe

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TSPY_ARDAMAX.GA. 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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