W97M/Spy-Peep.dr

This page shows details and results of our analysis on the malware W97M/Spy-Peep.dr

Download Current DAT: 6618

Threat Detail

Malware Type: Trojan

Malware Sub-type: Dropper

Discovery Date: 2005-11-15

Next Steps:

Overview
Characteristics
Symptoms
Method of Infection
Removal

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.

Minimum DAT

4628 (2005-11-15)

Updated DAT

4628 (2005-11-15)

Minimum Engine

5.1.00

File Length

329Kb

Description Added

2005-11-15

Description Modified

2006-01-24

Malware Proliferation

Characteristics

W97M/Spy-Peep.dr is a dropper in the form of Microsoft Access document that once executed, it will try to drop two files named explorer.exe and service.exe under
%SYSDIR% (e.g. c:\windows\windows32\)

It will also try to run into memory a thread with the name of WINDNS.exe that would control the execution of the first two files and make sure that at least one instance of each is running at a time.

Please refer to the description of Spy-Peep for more information about the nature of the trojan.

Symptoms

Dropped Files :

%SYSDIR%\explorer.exe (81,920 bytes)
%SYSDIR%\service.exe (164,372 bytes)

and addition to the two dropped files, WINDNS.exe will be running in memory.

Method of Infection

N/A. Droppers 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 Dropper onto the user's system with no user interaction.

Removal

All Users:

Please use the following instructions for all supported versions of Windows to remove threats and other potential risks:

1.Disable System Restore .

2.Update to current engine and DAT files for detection and removal.

3.Run a complete system scan.

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).

1. Please go to the Microsoft Recovery Console and restore a clean MBR.

On windows XP:

Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD-ROM drive and restart the computer.
When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.
Select the Windows installation that is compromised and provide the administrator password
Issue 'fixmbr' command to restore the Master Boot Record
Follow onscreen instructions
Reset and remove the CD from CD-ROM drive.

On Windows Vista and 7:

Insert the Windows CD into the CD-ROM drive and restart the computer.
Click on "Repair Your Computer"
When the System Recovery Options dialog comes up, choose the Command Prompt.
Issue 'bootrec /fixmbr' command to restore the Master Boot Record
Follow onscreen instructions
Reset and remove the CD from CD-ROM drive.