Analysis by: Rika Joi Gregorio
 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:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This spyware gathers certain information on the affected computer. 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: 444,416 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 22 Mar 2013

Installation

This spyware drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %Windows%\Artigo.exe

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows.)

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
Artigo = "%Windows%\Artigo.exe"

Other System Modifications

This spyware adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
system
EnableLUA = 0

Information Theft

This spyware monitors the Internet Explorer (IE) activities of the affected system, specifically the address bar or title bar. It recreates a legitimate website with a spoofed login page if a user visits banking sites with the following strings in the address bar or title bar:

  • IntErnetBAnkingCAIXA
  • www2.bancobrasil.com.br/aapf/login.jsp?aapf.IDH=sim&perfil=1
  • HSBC Bank Brasil S.A. - Banco M
  • BancoSantanderBrasil|Bancodojuntos
  • Banco Itaú - Feito Para Você
  • Bradesco

It accesses the following site to download its configuration file:

  • http://www.{BLOCKED}bcn.com/images/list.txt - list of banks to be monitored

It gathers the following information on the affected computer:

  • MAC Address
  • Date and Time
  • Host Name

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

  • Banco do Brasil
  • HSBC Bank Brasil
  • Santander
  • Banco Itau
  • Bradesco

Stolen Information

This spyware sends the gathered information via HTTP POST to the following URL:

  • http://www.{BLOCKED}sbcn.com/pdf/Gravatxt.php
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}sbcn.com/images/arquivo.php

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.300
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 9.810.08
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 22 Mar 2013
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 9.811.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 23 Mar 2013

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • Artigo = "%Windows%\Artigo.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system
    • EnableLUA = 0

Step 4

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