TSPY_AGENT.DOG
PWS:Win32/Wowsteal.ZF (Microsoft); PWS-WoW (McAfee); Infostealer.Wowcraft (Symantec); Trojan-GameThief.Win32.WOW.dr (Kaspersky); Packer.NSAnti.Gen (v) (Sunbelt); Trojan.Pws.Wow.DR (FSecure)
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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
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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
TProgram = "%Windows%\SMSS.EXE"
It modifies the following registry entries to ensure it automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Shell = "Explorer.exe 1"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is Explorer.exe.)
Other System Modifications
This spyware adds the following registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
winfiles
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
winfiles\DefaultIcon
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
winfiles\Shell\Open\
Command
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\
Microsoft Soft Debuger\Settings
It adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Check_Associations = "No"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\
Microsoft Soft Debuger\Settings
GUID = "{1304RG-1T991O-11R3GR-0J85X3-7D505E}"
It modifies the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.lnk\ShellNew
command = "rundll32.com appwiz.cpl,NewLinkHere %1"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is rundll32.exe appwiz.cpl,NewLinkHere %1.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.bfc\ShellNew
command = "{random characters}"
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {random values}.)
Dropping Routine
This spyware drops the following files:
- %Windows%\SMSS.EXE
- %System%\rundll32.com
- %System%\finder.com
- %Windows%\finder.com
- %System%\command.pif
- %Program Files%\intern~1\iexplore.com
- %Program Files%\common~1\iexplore.pif
- %Windows%\explorer.com
- %Windows%\1.com
- %Windows%\ExERoute.exe
- d:\pagefile.pif
- %System%\MSCONFIG.COM
- %System%\dxdiag.com
- %System%\regedit.com
- %Windows%\Debug\DebugProgram.exe
This report is generated via an automated analysis system.
SOLUTION
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
Identify and delete files detected as TSPY_AGENT.DOG using either the Startup Disk or Recovery Console
Step 3
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.
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes
- winfiles
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\winfiles
- DefaultIcon
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\winfiles\Shell\Open
- Command
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\Microsoft Soft Debuger
- Settings
Step 4
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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- TProgram = "%Windows%\SMSS.EXE"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
- Check_Associations = "No"
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\Microsoft Soft Debuger\Settings
- GUID = "{1304RG-1T991O-11R3GR-0J85X3-7D505E}"
Step 5
Restore these modified registry values
Important:Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this only if you know how to or you can seek your system administrator's help. You may also check out this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\.lnk\ShellNew
- From: command = "rundll32.com appwiz.cpl,NewLinkHere %1"
To: command = ""rundll32.exe appwiz.cpl,NewLinkHere %1""
- From: command = "rundll32.com appwiz.cpl,NewLinkHere %1"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\.bfc\ShellNew
- From: command = "{random characters}"
To: command = ""{random values}""
- From: command = "{random characters}"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
- From: Shell = "Explorer.exe 1"
To: Shell = ""Explorer.exe""
- From: Shell = "Explorer.exe 1"
Step 6
Search and delete these components
- %Windows%\SMSS.EXE
- %System%\rundll32.com
- %System%\finder.com
- %Windows%\finder.com
- %System%\command.pif
- %Program Files%\intern~1\iexplore.com
- %Program Files%\common~1\iexplore.pif
- %Windows%\explorer.com
- %Windows%\1.com
- %Windows%\ExERoute.exe
- d:\pagefile.pif
- %System%\MSCONFIG.COM
- %System%\dxdiag.com
- %System%\regedit.com
- %Windows%\Debug\DebugProgram.exe
Step 7
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TSPY_AGENT.DOG. 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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