Analysis by: Nikko Tamana

ALIASES:

Trojan.Win32.Bublik.aeus (Kaspersky), Trojan:Win32/Bublik.B (Microsoft), Win32/Spy.Bebloh.J trojan (NOD32)

 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:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel: Spammed via email, Propagates via email

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.

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible. It deletes the initially executed copy of itself.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 222,200 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 30 Jul 2012
Payload: Steals information, Connects to URLs/IPs

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 copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %System%\{random filename}.exe

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)

Autostart Technique

This spyware adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
userinit.exe
Debugger = "%System%\{random filename}.exe"

Other System Modifications

This spyware adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
5.0\203E7401
Default = "{XOR encrypted configuration file URLs}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
5.0\203E7401
BC59 = "0"

HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Internet Settings
GlobalUserOffline = "0"

HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Internet Settings\Connections
DefaultConnectionSettings = {Hex Values}

It adds the following registry keys as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
5.0\203E7401

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
userinit.exe

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
Zones\3
1609 = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
Cache\Paths
Directory = "%System%\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %Temporary Internet Files%\Content.IE5.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
Cache\Paths\path1
CachePath = "%System%\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\Cache1"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %Temporary Internet Files%\Content.IE5\Cache1.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
Cache\Paths\path2
CachePath = "%System%\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\Cache2"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %Temporary Internet Files%\Content.IE5\Cache2.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
Cache\Paths\path3
CachePath = "%System%\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\Cache3"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %Temporary Internet Files%\Content.IE5\Cache3.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\
Cache\Paths\path4
CachePath = "%System%\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\Cache4"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %Temporary Internet Files%\Content.IE5\Cache4.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Hardware Profiles\0001\Software\
Microsoft\windows\CurrentVersion\
Internet Settings
ProxyEnable = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Hardware Profiles\Current\Software\
Microsoft\windows\CurrentVersion\
Internet Settings
ProxyEnable = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)

HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG\Software\Microsoft\
windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
ProxyEnable = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)

HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\Shell Folders
Cookies = "%System%\config\systemprofile\Cookies"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %System Root%\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Cookies.)

HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\Shell Folders
Cache = "%System%\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %System Root%\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files.)

HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\Shell Folders
History = "%System%\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\History"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %System Root%\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Local Settings\History.)

Other Details

This spyware connects to the following URL(s) to check for an Internet connection:

  • www.google.com

It connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://cyaldibet.{BLOCKED}ic.com/f/t.php
  • http://dnogrunvrein.{BLOCKED}s.net/f/t.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}x.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}m.net
  • http://{BLOCKED}e.net
  • http://gundireun.{BLOCKED}ame.com

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

It deletes the initially executed copy of itself

NOTES:

The file names used for its dropped copy may contain the following strings combined with random characters:

  • def
  • dns
  • exec
  • hlp
  • logon
  • mem
  • mixer
  • mon
  • pack
  • play
  • setup
  • srv
  • user
  • video
  • win

It may also use a purely random set of characters as filename.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.300

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 terminate files detected as TSPY_BEBLOH.BE

[ Learn More ]
  1. Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
  2. If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

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 NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\userinit.exe
    • Debugger = %System%\{random filename}.exe
  • In HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • GlobalUserOffline = "0"
  • In HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Connections
    • DefaultConnectionSettings = {Hex Values}

Step 4

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 5

Delete this registry key

[ 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. Before you could do this, you must restart in Safe Mode. For instructions on how to do this, you may refer to this page If the preceding step requires you to restart in safe mode, you may proceed to edit the system registry.

  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\5.0
    • 203E7401

Step 6

Restore this modified 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\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3
    • From: 1609 = "0"
      To: 1609 = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Cache\Paths
    • From: Directory = "%System%\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5"
      To: Directory = "%Temporary Internet Files%\Content.IE5"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Cache\Paths\path1
    • From: CachePath = "%System%\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\Cache1"
      To: CachePath = "%Temporary Internet Files%\Content.IE5\Cache1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Cache\Paths\path2
    • From: CachePath = "%System%\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\Cache2"
      To: CachePath = "%Temporary Internet Files%\Content.IE5\Cache2"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Cache\Paths\path3
    • From: CachePath = "%System%\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\Cache3"
      To: CachePath = "%Temporary Internet Files%\Content.IE5\Cache3"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Cache\Paths\path4
    • From: CachePath = "%System%\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\Cache4"
      To: CachePath = "%Temporary Internet Files%\Content.IE5\Cache4"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Hardware Profiles\0001\Software\Microsoft\windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • From: ProxyEnable = "0"
      To: ProxyEnable = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Hardware Profiles\Current\Software\Microsoft\windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • From: ProxyEnable = "0"
      To: ProxyEnable = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG\Software\Microsoft\windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • From: ProxyEnable = "0"
      To: ProxyEnable = "1"
  • In HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
    • From: Cookies = "%System%\config\systemprofile\Cookies"
      To: Cookies = "%System Root%\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Cookies"
  • In HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
    • From: Cache = "%System%\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files"
      To: Cache = "%System Root%\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files"
  • In HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
    • From: History = "%System%\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\History"
      To: History = "%System Root%\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Local Settings\History"

Step 7

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