Hacktool.CyberSpy

SUMMARY

Behavior

Hacktool.CyberSpy is a hacktool that monitors email and Web site activity, keystrokes, takes snapshots of the desktop, and logs instant messaging conversations.

Symptoms

One or more files are detected as Hacktool.CyberSpy.

Transmission

Hacktool.CyberSpy must be manually installed.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) December 14, 2004
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) December 11, 2004

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When Hacktool.CyberSpy is run, it does the following:

1. Creates the following files:
   
   
   • %ProgramFiles%CyberSpycs.exe.
   • %ProgramFiles%CyberSpyunins000.dat
   • %ProgramFiles%CyberSpyunins000.exe
   • %ProgramFiles%CyberSpyhelp.html
   • %ProgramFiles%CyberSpyPurchase CyberSpy Now!.html
   • %ProgramFiles%CyberSpyVisit the Official CyberSpy Website.html
   • %ProgramFiles%CyberSpycyber_help.gif
   • %Windir%libimg.dll
   • %Windir%csmod32.dll
     
     Notes:
   • %ProgramFiles% is a variable that refers to the program files folder. By default, this is C:Program Files.
   • %Windir% is a variable that refers to the Windows installation folder. By default, this is C:Windows (Windows 95/98/Me/XP) or C:Winnt (Windows NT/2000).
     
     
2. Creates the following files and folders:
   
   
   • %System%WinExtcsconfig.dat
   • %System%WinExtwarning.dat
   • %System%WinExt (For email log files.)
   • %System%WinExt1 (For instant message log files.)
   • %System%WinExt2 (For Web site log files.)
   • %System%WinExt5 (For keystroke log files.)
   • %System%WinExt6 (For desktop snapshots.)
     
     Note: %System% is a variable that refers to the System folder. By default, this is C:WindowsSystem (Windows 95/98/Me), C:WinntSystem32 (Windows NT/2000), or C:WindowsSystem32 (Windows XP).
     
     
3. Performs the following activity on the infected computer:
   
   
   • Records all email messages viewed in Outlook, Outlook Express, and AOL 6.0/7.0/8.0 email clients.
   • Records Web site title, addresses, and time spent viewing sites in Opera, Internet Explorer, and Netscape browsers.
   • Records all the keystrokes (including hidden system keys), including when they were pressed, and categorizes these by date and application.
   • Creates desktop screenshots at specified intervals.
   • Records both sides of all instant message conversations in the following programs:
     
     
     • AOL
     • AIM
     • MSN
     • ICQ
       
   • Can be configured to run at startup for all user accounts.
   • Can be run in stealth mode, so that it is not visible in the taskbar or the Applications tab of the Windows Task Manager. (The program still shows in the Processes View of the Windows Task Manager as cs.exe.)

REMOVAL

The following instructions pertain to all Symantec antivirus products that support Security Risk detection.

1. Update the definitions.
2. Uninstall CyberSpy 1.0 using the Add/Remove Programs utility.
3. Run a full system scan.

For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. To update the definitions
To obtain the most recent definitions, start your Symantec program and run LiveUpdate.

2. To uninstall the Spyware

1. Do one of the following:
   1. On the Windows 98 taskbar:
      1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel.
      2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
         
         
   2. On the Windows Me taskbar:
      1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel.
      2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
         If you do not see the Add/Remove Programs icon, click "...view all Control Panel options."
         
         
   3. On the Windows 2000 taskbar:
      By default, Windows 2000 is set up the same as Windows 98, so follow the instructions for Windows 98. If otherwise, click Start, point to Settings > Control Panel, and then click Add/Remove Programs.
      
      
   4. On the Windows XP taskbar:
      1. Click Start > Control Panel.
      2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add or Remove Programs.
         
         
2. Click CyberSpy 1.0
   
   
   Note: You may need to use the scroll bar to view the whole list.
   
   
3. Click Add/Remove, Change/Remove, or Remove (this varies with the operating system). Follow the prompts.

3. To run the scan

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program, and then run a full system scan.
   
   Note: If you ran the Add/Remove programs applet as described in the previous section, all the files may have been removed, and thus none of them will be detected.
   
2. If any files are detected as Hacktool.CyberSpy and depending on which software version you are using, you may see one or more of the following options:
   
   Note: This applies only to versions of Norton AntiVirus that support Security Risk detection. If you are running a version of Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition that supports Security Risk detection, and Security Risk detection has been enabled, you will only see a message box that gives the results of the scan. If you have questions in this situation, contact your network administrator.
   
   • Exclude (Not recommended): If you click this button, it will set the threat so that it is no longer detectable. That is, the antivirus program will keep the security risk on your computer and will no longer detect it to remove from your computer.
     
     
   • Ignore or Skip: This option tells the scanner to ignore the threat for this scan only. It will be detected again the next time that you run a scan.
     
     
   • Cancel: This option is new to Norton Antivirus 2005. It is used when Norton Antivirus 2005 has determined that it cannot delete a security risk. This Cancel option tells the scanner to ignore the threat for this scan only, and thus, the threat will be detected again the next time that you run a scan.
     
     To actually delete the security risk:
     • Click its file name (under the Filename column).
     • In the Item Information box that displays, write down the full path and file name.
     • Then use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the file.
       
       If Windows reports that it cannot delete the file, this indicates that the file is in use. In this situation, complete the rest of the instructions on this page, restart the computer in Safe mode, and then delete the file using Windows Explorer.
       
       
   • Delete: This option will attempt to delete the detected files. In some cases, the scanner will not be able to do this.
     • If you see a message, "Delete Failed" (or similar message), manually delete the file.
     • Click the file name of the threat that is under the Filename column.
     • In the Item Information box that displays, write down the full path and file name.
     • Then use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the file.
       
       If Windows reports that it cannot delete the file, this indicates that the file is in use. In this situation, complete the rest of the instructions on this page, restart the computer in Safe mode, and then delete the file using Windows Explorer.