Spyware.ESP

SUMMARY

Behavior

Spyware.ESP is a spyware program that monitors user activity on the compromised computer. It also takes screenshots of the desktop.

Symptoms

Your Symantec program detects Spyware.ESP.

Transmission

This security risk must be manually installed.

Protection

• Initial Rapid Release version March 24, 2006
• Latest Rapid Release version June 14, 2008 revision 017
• Initial Daily Certified version March 24, 2006
• Latest Daily Certified version June 14, 2008 revision 016
• Initial Weekly Certified release date March 29, 2006

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

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When Spyware.ESP is installed, it performs the following actions:

1. Creates the following files:
   
   
   • %UserProfile%\Desktop\ESP Full.lnk
   • %UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Horizon DataSys Inc. Software\ESP Full\ESP Full.lnk
   • %UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Horizon DataSys Inc. Software\ESP Full\Readme-Help.lnk
   • %ProgramFiles%\ESP Full\ESP+.exe
   • %ProgramFiles%\ESP Full\EventScheduler.mdb
   • %ProgramFiles%\ESP Full\Help.rtf
   • %ProgramFiles%\ESP Full\riched32.dll
   • %UserProfile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Installer\{CAD7F12F-43F4-4EDE-BE24-B19153EB2F4C}\_[RANDOM].exe
   • %UserProfile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Installer\{CAD7F12F-43F4-4EDE-BE24-B19153EB2F4C}\_[RANDOM].exe
   • %UserProfile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Installer\{CAD7F12F-43F4-4EDE-BE24-B19153EB2F4C}\_[RANDOM].exe
   • %Windir%\Installer\[RANDOM].msi (A copy of the original installer.)
     
     
     Note:
   • %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.
   • %Windir% is a variable that refers to the Windows installation folder. By default, this is C:\Windows or C:\Winnt.
   • %System% is a variable that refers to the System folder. By default this is C:\Windows\System (Windows 95/98/Me), C:\Winnt\System32 (Windows NT/2000), or C:\Windows\System32 (Windows XP).
     
     
2. Creates the following registry subkeys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Horizon DataSys Inc.\ESP+
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UpgradeCodes\8222F165E61AE07448C5AE79CE44F64C
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{CAD7F12F-43F4-4EDE-BE24-B19153EB2F4C}
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Installer\UpgradeCodes\8222F165E61AE07448C5AE79CE44F64C\F21F7DAC4F34EDE4EB421B1935BEF2C4
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Installer\Features\F21F7DAC4F34EDE4EB421B1935BEF2C4
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Installer\UpgradeCodes\8222F165E61AE07448C5AE79CE44F64C
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\Folders\%UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Horizon DataSys Inc. Software\ESP Full
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\Folders\%UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Horizon DataSys Inc. Software
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\Folders\%UserProfile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Installer\{CAD7F12F-43F4-4EDE-BE24-B19153EB2F4C}
   
   
3. Adds the value:
   
   "MSRegScan" = "C:\Program Files\ESP Full\ESP+"
   
   to the resistry subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   
   so that it is executed every time Windows starts.
   
   
4. Creates and registers the following legitimate third-party .dll files, if they don't already exist on the computer:
   
   
   • %System%\actskn43.ocx
   • %System%\asycfilt.dll
   • %System%\comcat.dll
   • %System%\comdlg32.ocx
   • %System%\dijpg.dll
   • %System%\mscomct2.ocx
   • %System%\mscomctl.ocx
   • %System%\msvbvm60.dll
   • %System%\msvcrt.dll
   • %System%\mswinsck.ocx
   • %System%\oleaut32.dll
   • %System%\olepro32.dll
   • %System%\riched32.dll
   • %System%\richtx32.ocx
   • %System%\skinboxer43.dll
     
     Note: A number of registry subkeys associated with these .dll files may also be created.
     
     
5. Monitors user activity on the compromised computer, including:
   
   
   • Web sites visited
   • Applications executed
   • Files and folders modified
   • Keystrokes typed
   • Windows Messenger and email traffic
     
     
6. Takes screenshots of the desktop at regular intervals.
   
   
7. May send any data logged by the risk to a predetermined email address.

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 any values 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, 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.

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.

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 the following subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   
   
4. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "MSRegScan" = "C:\Program Files\ESP Full\ESP+"
   
   
5. Navigate to and delete the following subkeys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Horizon DataSys Inc.\ESP+
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UpgradeCodes\8222F165E61AE07448C5AE79CE44F64C
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{CAD7F12F-43F4-4EDE-BE24-B19153EB2F4C}
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Installer\UpgradeCodes\8222F165E61AE07448C5AE79CE44F64C\F21F7DAC4F34EDE4EB421B1935BEF2C4
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Installer\Features\F21F7DAC4F34EDE4EB421B1935BEF2C4
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Installer\UpgradeCodes\8222F165E61AE07448C5AE79CE44F64C
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\Folders\%UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Horizon DataSys Inc. Software\ESP Full
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\Folders\%UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Horizon DataSys Inc. Software
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\Folders\%UserProfile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Installer\{CAD7F12F-43F4-4EDE-BE24-B19153EB2F4C}
   
   
6. Exit the Registry Editor.