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Spyware.ABSystemSpy

Friday, June 27 2008

Symantec Security Response

http://www.symantec.com/business/security_response/index.jsp

Spyware.ABSystemSpy

Updated: February 13, 2007 11:49:35 AM
Type: Spyware
Risk Impact: Medium
Systems Affected: Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP

SUMMARY

Behavior


Spyware.ABSystemSpy is a spyware program that monitors user activity, logs keystrokes, and captures screenshots.

Symptoms


Your Symantec program detects Spyware.ABSystemSpy.

Transmission


Spyware.ABSystemSpy must be manually installed.

Protection

  • Initial Rapid Release version April 13, 2006
  • Latest Rapid Release version June 14, 2008 revision 017
  • Initial Daily Certified version April 13, 2006
  • Latest Daily Certified version June 14, 2008 revision 016
  • Initial Weekly Certified release date April 19, 2006

Click here for a more detailed description of Rapid Release and Daily Certified virus definitions.

TECHNICAL DETAILS


When Spyware.ABSystemSpy is installed, it performs the following actions:
  1. Creates the following files:

    • %UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\SSystem v5.1.1 build 3\AB System Spy v5.1.1.lnk
    • %UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\SSystem v5.1.1 build 3\Install default settings.lnk
    • %UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\SSystem v5.1.1 build 3\License.lnk
    • %UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\SSystem v5.1.1 build 3\Read user manual.lnk
    • %UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\SSystem v5.1.1 build 3\Uninstall AB System Spy v5.1.1 build 3.lnk
    • %UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\SSystem v5.1.1 build 3\Visit Our Website.lnk
    • %ProgramFiles%\SSystem v5.1.1 build 3\abss.chm
    • %ProgramFiles%\SSystem v5.1.1 build 3\abss.url
    • %ProgramFiles%\SSystem v5.1.1 build 3\Administrator\log.htm
    • %ProgramFiles%\SSystem v5.1.1 build 3\Administrator\[RANDOM].jpg
    • %ProgramFiles%\SSystem v5.1.1 build 3\defaults.reg
    • %ProgramFiles%\SSystem v5.1.1 build 3\license.txt
    • %ProgramFiles%\SSystem v5.1.1 build 3\system.exe
    • %ProgramFiles%\SSystem v5.1.1 build 3\unins000.dat
    • %ProgramFiles%\SSystem v5.1.1 build 3\unins000.exe

      Notes:
    • %UserProfile% is a variable that refers to the current user's profile folder. By default, this is C:\Documents and Settings\[CURRENT USER] (Windows NT/2000/XP).
    • %ProgramFiles% is a variable that refers to the program files folder. By default, this is C:\Program Files.

  2. Creates the following files, which may be used by legitimate programs:

    • %ProgramFiles%\SSystem v5.1.1 build 3\ijl15.dll
    • %ProgramFiles%\SSystem v5.1.1 build 3\mswinsck.ocx

  3. Creates the following folders:

    • %UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\SSystem v5.1.1 build 3
    • %ProgramFiles%\SSystem v5.1.1 build 3
    • %ProgramFiles%\SSystem v5.1.1 build 3\Administrator - This folder may contain numerous randomly named .jpg files which contain the screenshots gathered by the risk.

  4. Creates the following registry subkeys:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\AB System Spy v5.1.1 build 3_is1
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SSystem
    HKEY_ALL_USERS\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\SSystem
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\AB System Spy v5.1.1

  5. Creates numerous legitimate registry subkeys associated with the non-malicious components mentioned above that are installed by the risk.

  6. Adds the value:

    "abss" = "c:\program files\ssystem v5.1.1 build 3\system.exe"

    to the registry subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

    so that it runs every time Windows starts.

  7. Monitors user activity on the compromised computer, logs keystrokes, and captures screenshots.


REMOVAL


The following instructions pertain to all Symantec antivirus products that support security risk detection.
  1. Uninstall the security risk
  2. Update the definitions.
  3. Run a full system scan.
  4. Delete any values added to the registry.
For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. To uninstall the security risk
This security risk includes an uninstallation applet. In order to uninstall this security risk, complete the following instructions:
  1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel or Start > Control Panel (this varies with the operating system).

  2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add/Remove Programs.

    Windows Me only: If you do not see the Add/Remove Programs icon, click ...view all Control Panel options.

  3. Click AB System Spy v5.1.1.

    Note:     You may need to use the scroll bar to view the whole list.

  4. Click Add/Remove, Change/Remove, or Remove (this varies with the operating system). Follow the prompts.

    Note: After running the Add/Remove programs applet, all the files may have been removed. You will want to run a full system scan to ensure that this is the case. However, it is possible that no files will be detected after using Add/Remove programs.

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


3. To run the scan
  1. Start your Symantec antivirus program, and then run a full system scan.
  2. If any files are detected, 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 risk 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 risk 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 risk for this scan only, and thus, the risk 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 risk 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.

Important: If you are unable to start your Symantec antivirus product or the product reports that it cannot delete a detected file, you may need to stop the risk from running in order to remove it. To do this, run the scan in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document, How to start the computer in Safe Mode. Once you have restarted in Safe mode, run the scan again.

After the files are deleted, restart the computer in Normal mode and proceed with the next section.

Warning messages may be displayed when the computer is restarted, since the risk may not be fully removed at this point. You can ignore these messages and click OK. These messages will not appear when the computer is restarted after the removal instructions have been fully completed. The messages displayed may be similar to the following:

Title: [FILE PATH]
Message body: Windows cannot find [FILE NAME]. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search.

4. 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.
  1. Click Start > Run.
  2. Type regedit

    Then click OK.

    Note: If the registry editor fails to open the risk may have modified the registry to prevent access to the registry editor. Security Response has developed a tool to resolve this problem. Download and run this tool, and then continue with the removal.

  3. Navigate to and delete the subkeys:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\AB System Spy v5.1.1 build 3_is1
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SSystem
    HKEY_ALL_USERS\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\SSystem
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\AB System Spy v5.1.1

  4. Navigate to the subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\Folders

  5. In the right pane, delete the value:

    "abss" = "c:\program files\ssystem v5.1.1 build 3\system.exe"

  6. Exit the Registry Editor.




Read More:
Spyware.ABSystemSpy
Also See:
Spyware.WatchRight
Spyware.SpyPc
Spyware.HidetoolsSpy
Spyware.StatWin
Spyware.KeyloggerLite