McAfee > Theat Center > Virus Detail Page

Overview

This is a trojan detection. Unlike viruses, trojans do not self-replicate. They are spread manually, often under the premise that they are beneficial or wanted. The most common installation methods involve system or security exploitation, and unsuspecting users manually executing unknown programs. Distribution channels include email, malicious or hacked web pages, Internet Relay Chat (IRC), peer-to-peer networks, etc.

Characteristics

--- Update on May 23, 2009 ----
Due to the prevalence of the PWS-Banker.cz, McAfee Avert labs has made a special stand alone Stinger scanning tool for detection and cleaning of this Trojan.  The tool can be downloaded fromt eh Avert Tools page at the following link:  http://vil.nai.com/vil/averttools.aspx

Please click on the link "Stinger for PWS-Banker.cz" to download the Stinger tool.

--

This detection is for a password stealing trojan which specifically looks to steal bank password related information.

The following behaviors were seen with this particular version of the PWS-Banker.cz:

• Drops a copy of itself in the %SysDir% folder
• Injects code into system processes
• Hooks certain API calls
• Targets sensitive information such as online banking transactions
• Attempts to retrieve a newer version of itself remotely
• Posts stolen information to a remote site
• Creates a mutex called "_AVIRA_2109"

The PWS-Banker.cz drops itself in the %SysDir% folder with the file name "sdra64.exe".  It also attempts to inject threads into the svchost.exe and other processes by hooking the NtCreateThread API.

It also hooks certain APIs from WININET.DLL, WS2_32.DLL and USER32.DLL to intercept information coming in and out the network. This is where it gets its stolen information such as online banking transactions that will later be posted to a remote site.

In order to avoid detection, the malware attempts to download a newer copy of itself from the following site:  hxxp://basd(REMOVEDas.com/

As for the online banking customer, once user enters the needed information, the PWS-Banker.cz if the information entereed is indeed correct:

• hxxp://basd(REMOVED)as.com/fa/(REMOVED).php?data={username};{pin};{secure pin};URL authenticated

The following registry entry was created by the PWS-Banker.cz:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\"Userinit" = "%System%\userinit.exe, %System%\sdra64.exe"

Symptoms

• The Trojan is running in the process list.
• Presence of files and registry entries mentioned
• Network activity with servers mentioned above

Method of Infection

This trojans typically spread by users clicking links in spam emails which lead to malicious binaries.

Password Stealers are not viruses, and as such do not themselves contain any method to replicate. However they may themselves be downloaded by other viruses and/or Trojans to be installed on the user's system.

Many of these additionally are mass spammed by the author to entice people into double-clicking on them.

Alternatively they may be installed by visiting a malicious web page (either by clicking on a link, or by the website hosting a scripted exploit which installs the Password Stealer onto the user's system with no user interaction.

Removal

All Users:
Use current engine and DAT files for detection and removal.

Modifications made to the system Registry and/or INI files for the purposes of hooking system startup, will be successfully removed if cleaning with the recommended engine and DAT combination (or higher).

Additional Windows ME/XP removal considerations

Variants

Variants

N/A

All Information

Overview -

This is a trojan detection. Unlike viruses, trojans do not self-replicate. They are spread manually, often under the premise that they are beneficial or wanted. The most common installation methods involve system or security exploitation, and unsuspecting users manually executing unknown programs. Distribution channels include email, malicious or hacked web pages, Internet Relay Chat (IRC), peer-to-peer networks, etc.

Characteristics

Characteristics -

--- Update on May 23, 2009 ----
Due to the prevalence of the PWS-Banker.cz, McAfee Avert labs has made a special stand alone Stinger scanning tool for detection and cleaning of this Trojan.  The tool can be downloaded fromt eh Avert Tools page at the following link:  http://vil.nai.com/vil/averttools.aspx

Please click on the link "Stinger for PWS-Banker.cz" to download the Stinger tool.

--

This detection is for a password stealing trojan which specifically looks to steal bank password related information.

The following behaviors were seen with this particular version of the PWS-Banker.cz:

• Drops a copy of itself in the %SysDir% folder
• Injects code into system processes
• Hooks certain API calls
• Targets sensitive information such as online banking transactions
• Attempts to retrieve a newer version of itself remotely
• Posts stolen information to a remote site
• Creates a mutex called "_AVIRA_2109"

The PWS-Banker.cz drops itself in the %SysDir% folder with the file name "sdra64.exe".  It also attempts to inject threads into the svchost.exe and other processes by hooking the NtCreateThread API.

It also hooks certain APIs from WININET.DLL, WS2_32.DLL and USER32.DLL to intercept information coming in and out the network. This is where it gets its stolen information such as online banking transactions that will later be posted to a remote site.

In order to avoid detection, the malware attempts to download a newer copy of itself from the following site:  hxxp://basd(REMOVEDas.com/

As for the online banking customer, once user enters the needed information, the PWS-Banker.cz if the information entereed is indeed correct:

• hxxp://basd(REMOVED)as.com/fa/(REMOVED).php?data={username};{pin};{secure pin};URL authenticated

The following registry entry was created by the PWS-Banker.cz:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\"Userinit" = "%System%\userinit.exe, %System%\sdra64.exe"

Symptoms

Symptoms -

• The Trojan is running in the process list.
• Presence of files and registry entries mentioned
• Network activity with servers mentioned above

Method of Infection

Method of Infection -

This trojans typically spread by users clicking links in spam emails which lead to malicious binaries.

Password Stealers are not viruses, and as such do not themselves contain any method to replicate. However they may themselves be downloaded by other viruses and/or Trojans to be installed on the user's system.

Many of these additionally are mass spammed by the author to entice people into double-clicking on them.

Alternatively they may be installed by visiting a malicious web page (either by clicking on a link, or by the website hosting a scripted exploit which installs the Password Stealer onto the user's system with no user interaction.

Removal -

Removal -

All Users:
Use current engine and DAT files for detection and removal.

Modifications made to the system Registry and/or INI files for the purposes of hooking system startup, will be successfully removed if cleaning with the recommended engine and DAT combination (or higher).

Additional Windows ME/XP removal considerations

Variants

Variants -

N/A