TrojanSpy.Win32.AVEMARIA.T
Trojan-Spy.Win32.AveMaria.bzq (Kaspersky); Trojan:Win32/CryptInject.BI!MTB(Microsoft)
Windows
Threat Type: Trojan Spy
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: Yes
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.
It connects to a website to send and receive information. However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
It logs a user's keystrokes to steal information.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
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.
Installation
This Trojan Spy adds the following folders:
- %Program Files%\Microsoft DN1
- %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft Vision
(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(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(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)
It drops the following files:
- %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft Vision\{Day}-{Month}-{Year}_{Hour}.{Minute}.{Second} → The logged keystrokes of the user is stored.
(Note: %AppDataLocal% is the Local Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)
It adds the following processes:
- powershell Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath → If it was able to Elevate its privilages
- cmd.exe → if Registry for the current Version of the Internet Settings was queried
It injects codes into the following process(es):
- cmd.exe
- explorer.exe → will inject the code if cmd.exe wasn't executed
Other System Modifications
This Trojan Spy adds the following registry keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
GSMHGSQP6N
It adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server = 10
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
MaxConnectionsPerServer = 10
Backdoor Routine
This Trojan Spy connects to the following websites to send and receive information:
- patty.{BLOCKED}edns.com
However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
Information Theft
This Trojan Spy logs a user's keystrokes to steal information.
Other Details
This Trojan Spy does the following:
- Download a file
- List all running processes
- List file and directories in the system
- Video Capture
- It can elevate its privilege via the following:
- UAC bypass via DLL hijacking
- Steals user credentials such as user name and passwords, which are related to the following applications:
- Microsoft Outlook
- HTTP
- IMAP
- POP3
- SMTP
- Windows Messaging
- Firefox Browser -> steal all credentials stored
- Internet Explorer
- Google Chrome
- Foxmail
- Thunderbird
SOLUTION
Step 1
Trend Micro products with the XGen technology detect this malware as
Step 2
Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.
Step 3
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 4
Restart in Safe Mode
Step 5
Delete this registry value
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\Internet Settings
- MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server = 10
- MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server = 10
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
- MaxConnectionsPerServer = 10
- MaxConnectionsPerServer = 10
Step 6
Delete this registry key
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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\GSMHGSQP6NStep 7
Search and delete this file
Step 8
Search and delete these folders
- %Program Files%\Microsoft DN1
- %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft Vision
Step 9
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TrojanSpy.Win32.AVEMARIA.T. 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.
Did this description help? Tell us how we did.