Analysis by: Erika Bianca Mendoza
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This spyware may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

It employs registry shell spawning by adding certain registry entries. This allows this malware to execute even when other applications are opened.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 81,408 bytes
File Type: PE
Initial Samples Received Date: 07 Mar 2011

Arrival Details

This spyware may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

Installation

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

  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\classes\svcserv.exe
  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\system\svshost.exe

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

It drops and executes the following files:

  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\install\app.exe

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\classes
  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\install
  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\system

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

Autostart Technique

This spyware drops the following shortcut pointing to its copy in the User Startup folder to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Startup\MS office.lnk

(Note: %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu on Windows Vista and 7.)

It employs registry shell spawning to ensure its execution when certain file types are accessed by adding the following entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
exefile\shell\open\
command
Default = "%System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\install\app.exe"%1" %*"

Other System Modifications

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

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\wuauserv
DeleteFlag = "1"

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\
open\command
Default = "%System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\install\app.exe"%1" %*"

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\wuauserv
Start = "4"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 2.)

Other Details

This spyware checks for the presence of the following process(es):

  • cfp.exe

NOTES:
The said process is related to Comodo Firewall Pro. If found running, this spyware stops executing its malicious routines.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 8.900
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 8.883.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 06 Mar 2011

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

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_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command
    • From: Default = "%System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\install\app.exe"%1" %*"
      To: Default = ""%1" %*"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv
    • From: Start = "4"
      To: Start = "2"

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\exefile\shell\open\command
    • Default = "%System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\install\app.exe"%1" %*"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system
    • EnableLUA = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv
    • DeleteFlag = "1"

Step 4

Search and delete this file

[ 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.
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Startup\MS office.lnk

Step 5

Search and delete these folders

[ Learn More ]
Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden folders in the search result.
  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\classes
  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\system
  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\install

Step 6

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TSPY_SPYEYE.ALB. 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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