Analysis by: Arvin Roi Macaraeg
ALIASES:

TrojanSpy:Win32/SocStealer!rfn (Microsoft), Trojan-FOJW!EED002019B45 (McAfee)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan Spy

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Trojan Spy arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

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

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 293904 bytes
File Type: , EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 17 Oct 2017

Arrival Details

This Trojan Spy arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

Other System Modifications

This Trojan Spy adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SetupCompany
Name = "SetupCompany"

Backdoor Routine

This Trojan Spy connects to the following URL(s) to send and receive commands from a remote malicious user:

  • http://api.{BLOCKED}i.com/api/report
  • http://api.{BLOCKED}i.com/api/ip
  • http://rep.{BLOCKED}.biz/track_dre.php?ip=%s

Process Termination

This Trojan Spy terminates the following processes if found running in the affected system's memory:

  • chrome.exe

Download Routine

This Trojan Spy accesses the following websites to download files:

  • http://down.{BLOCKED}dll.com/GZ/dll_x64.bin
  • http://down.{BLOCKED}dll.com/GZ/dll_x86.bin
  • http://down.{BLOCKED}dll.com/GZ/dll_service.bin

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • %Program Files%\Google\Chrome\Application\winhttp.dll <- Executed with chrome.exe.
  • %AppDataLocal%\AdService\AdService.dll

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), 7 (32-bit), and 8 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), 7 (64-bit), and 8 (64-bit).. %AppDataLocal% is the Local Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

Information Theft

This Trojan Spy gathers the following data:

  • Operating System
  • IP Address

Other Details

This Trojan Spy does the following:

  • It is capable of uninstalling itself by deleting its own service.

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

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.850
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 13.728.03
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 19 Oct 2017
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 13.729.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 20 Oct 2017

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

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\SetupCompany
    • Name = "SetupCompany"

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.
  • %Program Files%Google\Chrome\Application\winhttp.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\AdService\AdService.dll

Step 6

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