Trojan-PWS:W32/Kates

Classification

Category :

Malware

Type :

Trojan-PWS

Aliases :

Trojan.PWS.Kates, Trojan-PSW.Win32.Kates, Trojan.pws.kates.z

Summary

A trojan that steals passwords and other sensitive information. It may also secretly install other malicious programs.

Removal

Based on the settings of your F-Secure security product, it will either move the file to the quarantine where it cannot spread or cause harm, or remove it.

A False Positive is when a file is incorrectly detected as harmful, usually because its code or behavior resembles known harmful programs. A False Positive will usually be fixed in a subsequent database update without any action needed on your part. If you wish, you may also:

  • Check for the latest database updates

    First check if your F-Secure security program is using the latest updates, then try scanning the file again.

  • Submit a sample

    After checking, if you still believe the file is incorrectly detected, you can submit a sample of it for re-analysis.

    Note: If the file was moved to quarantine, you need to collect the file from quarantine before you can submit it.

  • Exclude a file from further scanning

    If you are certain that the file is safe and want to continue using it, you can exclude it from further scanning by the F-Secure security product.

    Note: You need administrative rights to change the settings.

Technical Details

Trojan-PWS:W32/Kates is a family of trojans that primarily steal confidential details, most commonly authentication details (login ID and password) for online banking portals or other online resources.

Activity

Whenever any process is executed, the trojan intercepts the following API calls:

  • NtOpenKey
  • connect
  • WSASend
  • WSARecv
  • send
  • recv
  • CreateProcessW
  • ExitProcess

In order to perform its malicious routines associated with its data-stealing objectives. Once the malicious routine is completed, the trojan returns control to the original function, which then fulfils its original purpose.

Registry Changes

During installation, a Kates trojan may create the following registry key for a fake driver:

  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Drivers32[file] "[sample] 0y[8 char hex]"

Where [file] may vary depending on the variant. It also sets the following values:

  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows LoadAppInit_DLLs dword:00000001 To load AppInit