Analysis by: Rika Joi Gregorio
ALIASES:

Trojan:Win32/VB.AIG, MonitoringTool:Win32/ESurveiller(Microsoft), Trojan.Infostealer.AB(Bitdefender)

 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:

  • 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: 1,451,944 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 06 Feb 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.

Installation

This spyware drops the following files:

  • %System%\MSWINSCK.OCX
  • %System%\sample.ini
  • %System%\zlib.dll

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

It drops and executes the following files:

  • %System%\sample.exe

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

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
sample = "%System%\sample.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
sample = "%System%\sample.exe"

Other System Modifications

This spyware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MSWinsock.Winsock

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MSWinsock.Winsock.1

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{248DD896-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{248DD897-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}\
InprocServer32

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{248DD892-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{248DD896-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}\
ToolboxBitmap32

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{248DD890-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{248DD890-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}\
1.0\0\win32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
MSWinsock.Winsock

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
MSWinsock.Winsock.1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{248DD896-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{248DD896-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}\InprocServer32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{248DD896-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}\ToolboxBitmap32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{248DD892-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{248DD890-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{248DD896-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}\
InprocServer32
(Default) = "%System%\MSWINSCK.OCX"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{248DD896-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}\
InprocServer32
ThreadingModel = "Apartment"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{248DD896-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}\
ToolboxBitmap32
(Default) = "%System%\MSWINSCK.OCX, 1"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{248DD897-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}\
InprocServer32
(Default) = "%System%\MSWINSCK.OCX"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{248DD890-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}\
1.0\0\win32
(Default) = "%System%\MSWINSCK.OCX"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{248DD896-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}\InprocServer32
(Default) = "%System%\MSWINSCK.OCX"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{248DD896-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}\InprocServer32
ThreadingModel = "Apartment"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{248DD896-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}\ToolboxBitmap32
(Default) = "%System%\MSWINSCK.OCX, 1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{248DD890-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}\1.0\
0\win32
(Default) = "%System%\MSWINSCK.OCX"

It creates the following registry entry(ies) to bypass Windows Firewall:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\
List
%System%\sample.exe = "%System%\sample.exe:*:Enabled:sample"

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.300
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 9.710.01
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 06 Feb 2013
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 9.711.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 07 Feb 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.

 
  • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MSWinsock.Winsock
  • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MSWinsock.Winsock.1
  • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{248DD896-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}
  • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{248DD897-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}\InprocServer32
  • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{248DD892-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}
  • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{248DD896-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}\ToolboxBitmap32
  • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{248DD890-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}
  • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{248DD890-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}\1.0\0\win32
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MSWinsock.Winsock
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MSWinsock.Winsock.1
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{248DD896-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{248DD896-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}\InprocServer32
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{248DD896-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}\ToolboxBitmap32
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{248DD892-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{248DD890-BB45-11CF-9ABC-0080C7E7B78D}

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • sample = "%System%\sample.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • sample = "%System%\sample.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\List
    • %System%\sample.exe "%System%\sample.exe:*:Enabled:sample"

Step 5

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.
  • %System%\MSWINSCK.OCX
  • %System%\sample.ini
  • %System%\zlib.dll
  • %System%\sample.exe

Step 6

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