Spyware.SnoopStick

SUMMARY

Behavior

Spyware.SnoopStick is commercially available parental control software that logs Web surfing, instant messaging conversations, and email information and then sends it to a third party.

Protection

• Initial Rapid Release version February 22, 2007
• Latest Rapid Release version June 14, 2008 revision 017
• Initial Daily Certified version February 22, 2007
• Latest Daily Certified version June 14, 2008 revision 016
• Initial Weekly Certified release date February 28, 2007

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

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Spyware.SnoopStick is installed via a usb key, when the following file is executed:
[USB DRIVE LETTER]\setup\SnoopStick.exe

When the USB key is initially plugged into a computer, it installs the following files:

• C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{67E71F41-70D9-4823-8EC0-78BC232B5E7A}\instance.dat
• C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{67E71F41-70D9-4823-8EC0-78BC232B5E7A}\mia.dll
• C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{67E71F41-70D9-4823-8EC0-78BC232B5E7A}\SnoopStick.dat
• C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{67E71F41-70D9-4823-8EC0-78BC232B5E7A}\SnoopStick.exe
• C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{67E71F41-70D9-4823-8EC0-78BC232B5E7A}\SnoopStick.msi
• C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{67E71F41-70D9-4823-8EC0-78BC232B5E7A}\SnoopStick.par
• C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{67E71F41-70D9-4823-8EC0-78BC232B5E7A}\SnoopStick.res
• C:\WINDOWS\Installer\[RANDOM NUMBER].msi
• %System%\logs\ClientSSFileUpdater.txt
• %System%\logs\CSSSWDDbgLog.txt
• %System%\logs\SSDbgLog.txt
• %System%\logs\Web070221.log
• %System%\mslspcg.exe
• %System%\smdnn05.dll
• %Windir%\CSSSUpd.exe
• %Windir%\CSSSWD.exe
• %Windir%\SSCRG.exe
• %Windir%\SSDGT.exe
• %Windir%\SSLS.exe
• %Windir%\SSMsgr.exe

It also creates the following legitimate files:

• %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Seven Zip\Codecs\7zAes.dll
• %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Seven Zip\Codecs\Aes.dll
• %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Seven Zip\Codecs\Branch.dll
• %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Seven Zip\Codecs\Copy.dll
• %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Seven Zip\Codecs\LZMA.dll
• %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Seven Zip\Codecs\Swap.dll
• %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Seven Zip\Formats\7z.dll
• %System%\SpOrder.Dll
• %Windir%\sqlite3.dll

The risk then creates the following registry subkeys, which register its components as services:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\ChatRecMonSvc
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\SSLOGSVC
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WS2IFSL
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ChatRecMonSvc
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SSLOGSVC
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WS2IFSL

It also creates the following registry subkeys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Products\FA8950F240E56D941A25FD74A4AC2C8A
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{2F0598AF-5E04-49D6-A152-DF474ACAC2A8}

The risk then monitors Web surfing, instant message, and email activities. It logs information under the following headings:
Web surfing:

• Time
• User name
• Program
• URL

IM Conversations:

• Time
• Conversation
• Service
• Converstaion text

Emails:

• Time
• Message

This information can then be collected at a later time by plugging the USB key back into the compromised computer, or remotely, by using another computer with the USB key plugged into it.

REMOVAL

The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.

1. Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
2. Reinstall your Symantec antivirus program.
3. Update the virus definitions.
4. Run a full system scan.
5. Delete any values added to the registry.

For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. To disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP)
If you are running Windows Me or Windows XP, we recommend that you temporarily turn off System Restore. Windows Me/XP uses this feature, which is enabled by default, to restore the files on your computer in case they become damaged. If a virus, worm, or Trojan infects a computer, System Restore may back up the virus, worm, or Trojan on the computer.

Windows prevents outside programs, including antivirus programs, from modifying System Restore. Therefore, antivirus programs or tools cannot remove threats in the System Restore folder. As a result, System Restore has the potential of restoring an infected file on your computer, even after you have cleaned the infected files from all the other locations.

Also, a virus scan may detect a threat in the System Restore folder even though you have removed the threat.

For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows documentation, or one of the following articles:

• How to disable or enable Windows Me System Restore
• How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore

Note: When you are completely finished with the removal procedure and are satisfied that the threat has been removed, reenable System Restore by following the instructions in the aforementioned documents.

For additional information, and an alternative to disabling Windows Me System Restore, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article: Antivirus Tools Cannot Clean Infected Files in the _Restore Folder (Article ID: Q263455).

2. To reinstall your Symantec antivirus program
As this risk attempts to remove the files and registry subkeys that your Symantec antivirus program uses, you may need to reinstall the program. If your Symantec antivirus program is not working properly, uninstall, and then reinstall it.

3. To update the virus definitions
Symantec Security Response fully tests all the virus definitions for quality assurance before they are posted to our servers. There are two ways to obtain the most recent virus definitions:

• Running LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions.
• Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted daily. You should download the definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site and manually install them. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, refer to Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater).

The latest Intelligent Updater virus definitions can be obtained here: Intelligent Updater virus definitions. For detailed instructions read the document: How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater.

4. To run a full system scan

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
2. Run a full system scan.
3. If any files are detected, follow the instructions displayed by your antivirus program.

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 threat 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.

5. 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. For instructions refer to the document: How to make a backup of the Windows registry.

1. Click Start > Run.
2. Type regedit
3. Click OK.
   
   Note: If the registry editor fails to open the threat 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.
   
   
4. Navigate to and delete the following registry subkeys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\ChatRecMonSvc
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\SSLOGSVC
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WS2IFSL
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ChatRecMonSvc
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SSLOGSVC
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WS2IFSL
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Products\FA8950F240E56D941A25FD74A4AC2C8A
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{2F0598AF-5E04-49D6-A152-DF474ACAC2A8}
   
   
5. Exit the Registry Editor.