Spyware.Probotse

SUMMARY

Behavior

Spyware.Probotse monitors the system for keystrokes, Web sites visited, programs executed, screen snapshots, and files accessed. The logged information can also be uploaded periodically to a remote email address. It can run in stealth mode.

Symptoms

Your Symantec product detects Spyware.Probotse

Transmission

Spyware.Probotse must be manually installed.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) February 9, 2005
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) February 4, 2005

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When Spyware.Probose is installed it does the following:

1. Creates the following files:
   
   
   • %System%[8 random characters].dll
   • %System%drivers[8 random characters].sys
   • %System%drivers[8 random characters].sys
   • %System%[8 random characters].exe
   • %ProgramFiles%NetHunter GroupProBotSEdepgen.exe
   • %ProgramFiles%NetHunter GroupProBotSEInstViewinstview.exe
   • %ProgramFiles%NetHunter GroupProBotSEInstViewpbcommon.dll
   • %ProgramFiles%NetHunter GroupProBotSEInstViewq.exe
   • %ProgramFiles%NetHunter GroupProBotSEpbcommon.dll
   • %ProgramFiles%NetHunter GroupProBotSEpbcpl.exe
   • %ProgramFiles%NetHunter GroupProBotSEuninstall.exe
   • %ProgramFiles%NetHunter GroupProBotSEArchive (Additional log files)
   • %ProgramFiles%NetHunter GroupProBotSEConfig (Additional configuration files)
     
     Notes:
   • %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.
   • [8 random characters] is a variable made up of six alphabetic characters, followed by two numeric characters.
   • The program creates two [8 random characters].sys files in the %System%drivers folder.
     
     
2. Creates the registry keys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun[8 random characters]
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREutikaniw42
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMControlSet001Services[8 random characters]
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMControlSet001Services[8 random characters]
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAppIDpbselib.DLL
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAppID{2C4B0F32-8A8B-484F-A39D-519A57851F2C}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{312FA154-E1B7-4336-9833-EE6B38D58B56}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{F40CCB3F-A677-4ECA-8A94-29E801EDC71E}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{EFF86F66-AB6F-4DFE-9BF8-020EA0A15801}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTpbselib.IEWatcher
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTpbselib.IEWatcher.1
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{312FA154-E1B7-4336-9833-EE6B38D58B56}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunServices
   
   and adds the subkeys and values to them to set the flags and configurations.
   
   
3. Adds the value:
   
   "[8 random characters]" = "%System%[8 random characters].exe"
   
   to the following registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   so that the spyware runs when you start Windows.
   
   
4. Adds the value:
   
   "InProcServer32" = "%system%[8 random characters].dll"
   
   to the following registry key:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{312FA154-E1B7-4336-9833-EE6B38D58B56}
   
   so that the spyware runs when you start Windows.
   
   
5. Logs keystrokes, websites visited and screenshots and can send out those logs via encrypted e-mail.
   
   
6. Runs in hidden mode, hiding its own processes, services, files and registry entries.
   
   
7. Injects a series of threads into explorer.exe and various other running processes.
   
   
8. Creates and starts two randomly named services, and associates them with the two .sys files which it created in the %system%drivers folder.

REMOVAL

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

1. Update the definitions.
2. Run a full system scan.
3. 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 run the scan

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program, and then run a full system scan.
   
2. If any files are detected as Spyware.Probose 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.
       
       
3. To delete the value 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 subkeys 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 the subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
4. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "[8 random characters]" = "%System%[8 random characters].exe"
   
   
5. Navigate to the subkey:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{312FA154-E1B7-4336-9833-EE6B38D58B56}
   
6. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "InProcServer32" = "%system%[8 random characters].dll"
   
   
7. Navigate to and delete the subkeys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun[8 random characters]
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREutikaniw42
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMControlSet001Services[8 random characters]
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMControlSet001Services[8 random characters]
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAppIDpbselib.DLL
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAppID{2C4B0F32-8A8B-484F-A39D-519A57851F2C}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{312FA154-E1B7-4336-9833-EE6B38D58B56}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{F40CCB3F-A677-4ECA-8A94-29E801EDC71E}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{EFF86F66-AB6F-4DFE-9BF8-020EA0A15801}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTpbselib.IEWatcher
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTpbselib.IEWatcher.1
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{312FA154-E1B7-4336-9833-EE6B38D58B56}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunServices
   
   
8. Exit the Registry Editor.