Analysis by: Jimelle Monteser
ALIASES:

Trojan:Win32/Miuref.A (Microsoft), Win32/Boaxxe.BE trojan (NOD32)

 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:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel: Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware

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.

It does not have any propagation routine.

It does not have any backdoor routine.

It does not have any downloading capability.

It connects to certain websites to send and receive information. It requires its main component to successfully perform its intended routine. It creates an event. However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 65,536 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 31 Jan 2014
Payload: Steals information, Connects to URLs/IPs

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
{GUID} = "%User Temp%\jxqqtktj.dat"

Propagation

This spyware does not have any propagation routine.

Backdoor Routine

This spyware does not have any backdoor routine.

Download Routine

This spyware does not have any downloading capability.

Information Theft

This spyware gathers the following data:

  • Computer Name/User Name
  • Volume Information
  • BIOS Information
  • Video Controller
  • System Enclosure
  • Base Board
  • Physical Media
  • OS Version
  • Network Adapter Configuration
  • Running Processes
  • Running Services

Other Details

Based on analysis of the codes, it has the following capabilities:

    It connects to the following website to send and receive information:

    • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.3.113

    It requires the following additional components to properly run:

    • {malware path}\setup.dat
    • %User Temp%\jxqqtktj.dat

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

    It requires its main component to successfully perform its intended routine.

    It creates the following event(s):

    • {Computer Name}{Fullpath and Filename} special characters replaced with '_'

    However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

    NOTES:

    It does not have rootkit capabilities.

    It does not exploit any vulnerability.

      SOLUTION

    Minimum Scan Engine: 9.700
    FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 10.596.04
    FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 09 Feb 2014
    VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 10.597.00
    VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 10 Feb 2014

    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

    Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TSPY_MIUREF.BS. 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 3

    Restart in Safe Mode

    [ Learn More ]

    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\RunOnce
      • {GUID} = "%User Temp%\jxqqtktj.dat"

    Step 5

    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.
    • {malware path}\setup.dat
    • %User Temp%\jxqqtktj.dat

    Step 6

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