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TSPY_ZCLICK.SMA

March 02, 2015
 Analysis by: Joachim Suico
 ALIASES:

Trojan-Spy.Win32.Zbot.uvrp (Kaspersky); TrojWare.Win32.Spy.Zbot.EDAQ (Comodo); PWS:Win32/Zbot (Microsoft)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • 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.

It deletes itself after execution.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

526,539 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

17 Jan 2015

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 and executes them:

  • %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe
  • %System%\{random file name}.exe

(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

It drops the following files:

  • %Windows%\Tasks\Security Center Update - {random digits}.job

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

It drops and executes the following files:

  • %Temp%\tmp{random characters}.bat

(Note: %Temp% is the Windows temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\Temp on all Windows operating system versions.)

Autostart Technique

This spyware registers itself as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup by adding the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\SecurityCenterServer{random digits}
ImagePath = "%System%\{random file name}.exe" -service "%Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe"

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{random} = "%Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{random} = "%Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe"

Other System Modifications

This spyware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\{random}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{random}

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{random}
License = "444"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\{random}
License = "444"

Other Details

This spyware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}rray.ru
  • http://{BLOCKED}ert.su
  • http://{BLOCKED}ing.su
  • http://{BLOCKED}me.su
  • http://{BLOCKED}rror.su
  • http://{BLOCKED}op.su

It deletes itself after execution.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.750

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

11.444.07

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

29 Jan 2015

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

11.445.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

29 Jan 2015

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

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 3

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as TSPY_ZCLICK.SMA

Step 4

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 5

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\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SecurityCenterServer{random digits}
    • ImagePath = "%System%\{random file name}.exe" -service "%Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe"

  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • {random} = "%Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe"

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • {random} = "%Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe"

  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\{random}
    • License =
      • "444"



  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{random}
    • License =
      • "444"

Step 6

Search and delete the files detected as TSPY_ZCLICK.SMA

*Note: Some component files may be 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.

To stop the malware/grayware from running when certain files are opened:

For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:

  1. Right-click Start then click Search....
  2. In the File name* input box, type the name of the file that was detected earlier.
  3. In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer then press Enter.
  4. Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
    *Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).

For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 (R2):

  1. Open a Windows Explorer window.
    • For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
    • For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen,then click File Explorer.
  2. In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type the name of the file that was detected earlier.
  3. Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
    *Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.

Step 7

Search and delete these files

[ 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.
  • %Windows%\Tasks\Security Center Update - {random digits}.job
  • In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer then press Enter.
  • Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
  • Repeat the said steps for all files listed.
    *Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).

    • For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:

    1. Open a Windows Explorer window.
      • For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
      • For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, then click File Explorer.
    2. In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
    3. %Windows%\Tasks\Security Center Update - {random digits}.job
  • Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
  • Repeat the said steps for all files listed.
    *Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.

    • Step 8

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

    Step 9

    The following created files/folders/registry keys/registry entries cannot be identified by the user since there are no reference values in the created key. The only way it can be identified is by comparing the present system information with a backup. Note that the said components do not have to be deleted since it won't be harmful to the system.

    • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
      • {random}

    • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
      • {random}


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