Spyware.Probot

SUMMARY

Behavior

Spyware.Probot logs keystrokes, program use, Web sites visited, and it captures screenshots.

Symptoms

The files are detected as Spyware.Probot.

Transmission

Spyware.Probot must be manually installed.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) September 15, 2004
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) September 14, 2004

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Spyware.Probot can do the following:

• Log keystrokes
• Run in hidden mode
• Log Web sites visited
• Capture screenshots
• Send logs by encrypted email

When Spyware.Probot is installed, it does the following:

1. Creates the following files:
   • %System%Pbhubsrv.exe
   • %System%Pbagent.exe
   • %System%Pb25lib.dll
   • %ProgramFiles%Probotfaq.txt
   • %ProgramFiles%Probotlicense.txt
   • %ProgramFiles%Probotorder.txt
   • %ProgramFiles%Probotpbcert.pem
   • %ProgramFiles%Probotpbcommon.dll
   • %ProgramFiles%Probotpbcpl.exe
   • %ProgramFiles%Probotprobot.chm
   • %ProgramFiles%Proboteadme.txt
   • %ProgramFiles%Probotuninstall.dat
   • %ProgramFiles%Probotuninstall.exe
   • %ProgramFiles%ProbotConfigconvhtml.ini
   • %ProgramFiles%ProbotConfigconvtext.ini
   • Additional log files in %ProgramFiles%ProbotArchive
     
     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).
     • %ProgramFiles% is a variable that refers to the program files folder. By default, this is C:Program Files.
       
       
2. Creates the registry keys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareNetHunter GroupProBot
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemCurrentControlSetServicesPBHUBSRV
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCURRENTCONTROLSETENUMROOTLEGACY_PBHUBSRV
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCURRENTCONTROLSETSERVICESPBHUBSRV
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAppID{2C4B0F32-8A8B-484F-A39D-519A57851F2C}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAppIDpblib32.DLL
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTpblib32.IEWatcher.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTpblib32.IEWatcher
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{312FA154-E1B7-4336-9833-EE6B38D58B56}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{EFF86F66-AB6F-4DFE-9BF8-020EA0A15801}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{F40CCB3F-A677-4ECA-8A94-29E801EDC71E}
   
   and adds the subkeys and values to them to set the flags and configurations.
   
   
3. Adds the value:
   
   "pbagent" = ""%System%pbagent.exe" logon"
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   so that the Spyware runs when you start Windows.
   

REMOVAL

Before you begin: This spyware may include an uninstaller. The uninstaller file is usually C:Program FilesProbotUninstall.exe. Using Windows Explorer, see if this file exists.

• If you cannot find the file, follow the instructions below.
• If the file does exist, double-click it and follow any prompts. After the uninstaller is finished, to make sure that the threat has been removed, follow the instructions below.
  
  

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

1. Update the definitions.
2. Restart the computer in Safe mode.
3. Run a full system scan.
4. Delete the value that was added to the registry.
   

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 restart the computer in Safe mode
Shut down the computer and turn off the power. Wait for at least 30 seconds, and then restart the computer in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document, "How to start the computer in Safe Mode."

3. To run the scan

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program, and then run a full system scan.
   
2. If any files are detected as Spyware.Probot 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.
       
       
   • 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.

4. To delete the keys from the registry

Important: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before making any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify the specified keys only. Read the document, "How to make a backup of the Windows registry," for instructions.

1. Click Start > Run.
   
   
2. Type regedit
   
   Then click OK.
   
   
3. Navigate to and delete the registry keys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareNetHunter GroupProBot
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemCurrentControlSetServicesPBHUBSRV
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCURRENTCONTROLSETENUMROOTLEGACY_PBHUBSRV
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCURRENTCONTROLSETSERVICESPBHUBSRV
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAppID{2C4B0F32-8A8B-484F-A39D-519A57851F2C}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAppIDpblib32.DLL
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTpblib32.IEWatcher.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTpblib32.IEWatcher
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{312FA154-E1B7-4336-9833-EE6B38D58B56}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{EFF86F66-AB6F-4DFE-9BF8-020EA0A15801}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{F40CCB3F-A677-4ECA-8A94-29E801EDC71E}
   
   
4. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
5. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "pbagent" = ""%System%pbagent.exe" logon"
   
   
6. Exit the Registry Editor.