I should really lay my cards on the table at the start of this item. I do not know that this is Zeus, it is currently a working assumption, noting a number of similarities between this new virus and other Zeus samples I have seen.
So first off, what is the same?
- It changes the registry item HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Userinit Inserting a dynamically changing executable, into the key data, to ensure its presence at each boot of the system. In my most recent infection instance, it changes the value data to C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,C:\WINDOWS\system32\msicjg32.exe
- It loads the executable and hides it from view, using rootkit techniques.
- It conducts HTML injection attacks
- It is capable of MitB / MitM attacks
- It targets Banking credentials and more than likely other login details, such Paypal & Facebook.
What is new?
- The virus no longer uses the static executable name sdra64.exe. Instead it chooses a pseudo random name at install. I have seen msrwez32.exe | msjrtr32.exe | msicjg32.exe, so it would appear a format msXXXX32.exe is used.
- There is no creation of a c:\windows\system32\lowsec folder. So stolen data and configuration detail is stored somewhere other than usual. This would appear to come from a jpg that can be seen coming in if using packet capture. The file is normally at the C&C domain within a location of /images/arrowred.jpg If have not been able to obtain this file or indeed find anything that could even attempt to decrypt it, but I informed that config details are held within it.
- As with all viruses, these processes grab config detail from Command & Control servers. To the best of my ability I believe these sites to be http;//216.119.129.14 and http;//209.172.59.132. With luck these will be offline soon. I have now seen that these files have a list of possible C&Cs and move around as quickly as they are taken offline. Those who need to know of them do, and I do not propose to begin retaining a list here.
Antivirus detection rates, as follows;
Product – Version – Update – Virus Alias
a-squared 4.5.0.50 2010.02.22 Worm.Win32.Pushbot!IK
AhnLab-V3 5.0.0.2 2010.02.22 -
AntiVir 8.2.1.172 2010.02.22 TR/Spy.ZBot.afdw
Antiy-AVL 2.0.3.7 2010.02.22 -
Authentium 5.2.0.5 2010.02.22 -
Avast 4.8.1351.0 2010.02.22 Win32:EggDrop-CG
AVG 9.0.0.730 2010.02.22 -
BitDefender 7.2 2010.02.22 Trojan.Generic.3193268
CAT-QuickHeal 10.00 2010.02.22 -
ClamAV 0.96.0.0-git 2010.02.22 Trojan.EggDrop-121
Comodo 4026 2010.02.22 TrojWare.Win32.Spy.Zbot.afdw
DrWeb 5.0.1.12222 2010.02.22 Trojan.DownLoad.35735
eSafe 7.0.17.0 2010.02.22 Win32.EggDrop
eTrust-Vet 35.2.7318 2010.02.22 -
F-Prot 4.5.1.85 2010.02.22 -
F-Secure 9.0.15370.0 2010.02.22 Trojan.Generic.3193268
Fortinet 4.0.14.0 2010.02.21 -
GData 19 2010.02.22 Trojan.Generic.3193268
Ikarus T3.1.1.80.0 2010.02.22 Worm.Win32.Pushbot
Jiangmin 13.0.900 2010.02.22 -
K7AntiVirus 7.10.980 2010.02.22 -
Kaspersky 7.0.0.125 2010.02.22 Trojan-Spy.Win32.Zbot.afdw
McAfee 5900 2010.02.22 -
McAfee+Artemis 5900 2010.02.22 Artemis!1B0138229529
McAfee-GW-Edition 6.8.5 2010.02.22 Heuristic.LooksLike.Trojan.Agent.B
Microsoft 1.5406 2010.02.22 -
NOD32 4888 2010.02.22 probably a variant of Win32/Injector.AXM
Norman 6.04.08 2010.02.22 -
nProtect 2009.1.8.0 2010.02.22 -
Panda 10.0.2.2 2010.02.22 Trj/CI.A
PCTools 7.0.3.5 2010.02.22 -
Prevx 3.0 2010.02.22 High Risk Cloaked Malware
Rising 22.34.01.03 2010.02.11 -
Sophos 4.50.0 2010.02.22 Mal/Resdro-A
Sunbelt 5692 2010.02.22 Trojan.Win32.Generic!BT
Symantec 20091.2.0.41 2010.02.22 Suspicious.Insight
TheHacker 6.5.1.6.205 2010.02.22 -
TrendMicro 9.120.0.1004 2010.02.22 -
VBA32 3.12.12.2 2010.02.22 -
ViRobot 2010.2.22.2196 2010.02.22 -
Removal
I am not yet confident in the exact way in which this malware functions, so I am not confident that the below is an absolute removal process. It does however appear to resolve the issue, so is better than nothing. As soon as I learn more, I will be sure to update.
- Open regedit (normally via Start > Run) and drill down into the HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Winlogon\Userinit string and note its value data.
- You will need to kill a thread, loaded into memory, which retains the malicious presence within the Winlogon key, simply deleting the malicious value data is not enough.
- Download and run the ProcessExplorer application from the TechNet website.
- Access View and ensure that Lower Pane view is enabled.
- On the top menu bar, select Find Handle or DLL. Within search type and search for the executable found within the Userinit data value. (msXXXX32.exe)
- This should find and select executable within your Lower Pane. In the top pane, locate and double click on Winlogon.
- From the new Window select the threads tab (this will sometimes produce an error, which can just be clicked past).
- Once the threads have displayed, sort by CSwitch Data. There will be one thread which shows as constantly active (retains a numeric value).
- Once this thread is identified, highlight it and select Kill from the bottom right.
- Exit ProcessExplorer, reopen regedit and drill down onto the Winlogon\Userinit key. Delete the malicious value, from the userinit key data.
- Restart the PC.
- This should have stopped the virus loading at boot, allowing you to locate the executable within C:\windows\system32\. This should be purged from the system.
