Analysis by: Sabrina Lei Sioting
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • 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.

It attempts to steal sensitive online banking information, such as user names and passwords. This routine risks the exposure of the user's account information, which may then lead to the unauthorized use of the stolen data. It attempts to steal information, such as user names and passwords, used when logging into certain banking or finance-related websites.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 24,064 bytes
File Type: PE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 17 Sep 2010

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 Root%\%e

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

HOSTS File Modification

This spyware modifies the system's HOSTS files to redirect users once the following Web site(s) are accessed:

  • www.linhadefensiva.org

It overwrites the HOSTS file in the following locations:

  • %System%driversetchost (On Windows NT, 2000, XP, and Server 2003)
  • %Windows%host.sam (on Windows 98 and ME)

Information Theft

This spyware attempts to steal sensitive online banking information, such as user names and passwords. This routine risks the exposure of the user's account information, which may then lead to the unauthorized use of the stolen data.

It attempts to steal information from the following banks and/or other financial institutions:

  • Linha Defensiva

Other Details

This spyware did not exhibit propagation routines during testing.

It did not exhibit download routines during testing.

It does the following:

  • It opens a spoofed login page when a user accesses any of the monitored sites.
  • It stores the gathered information in the IP address {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.0.1, where the spoofed page is hosted.
  • It redirects users to {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.0.1 whenever the monitored site is accessed.
  • It stores the gathered information in the IP address {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.0.1, where the spoofed page is hosted.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 8.900

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

Search and delete this file

[ 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 Root%\%e

Step 3

Remove these strings added by the malware/grayware/spyware in the HOSTS file

[ Learn More ]
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Step 4

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TSPY_QHOST.VZ. 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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