Rootkit.Win32.Zbot.sapu

Posted: April 24, 2014

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Ranking:	5,098
Threat Level:	1/10
Infected PCs:	5,045

First Seen:	April 25, 2014
Last Seen:	October 14, 2023
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

Rootkit.Win32.Zbot.sapu is a variant of the banking Trojan Zeus (AKA Zbot or ZeuS), threat designed for gathering information, but especially bank account logins. Continuing with the trend of backdoor-capable Trojans using e-mail spam for their distribution, the installation of Rootkit.Win32.Zbot.sapu exploits file attachments linked to fake messages for Starbucks coffee gifts. Considering the severe consequences of installing Rootkit.Win32.Zbot.sapu, malware researchers recommend turning down this scalding 'gift,' or using anti-malware products to delete Rootkit.Win32.Zbot.sapu, if it is too late for that.

A Sip of a Drink that may Burn Your PC

Rootkit.Win32.Zbot.sapu is one of the many, different versions of Trojan Zeus in circulation throughout the Web. The effectiveness of Zeus is evident in its popularity among hackers, who have used different methods to distribute it, install it, maintain its presence and, ultimately, compromise victims' bank accounts. Although Rootkit.Win32.Zbot.sapu and other Zeus Trojans are particularly well-known for their 'Man-in-the-middle' bank account attacks, they also may compromise other information.

Malware experts found Rootkit.Win32.Zbot.sapu's story beginning with a series of fraudulent e-mail messages formatted to appear as gift notifications from Starbucks. Although these messages include the company's logo, poor use of English, an inappropriate e-mail address and an EXE file attachment all are signs of its real, aggressive intentions. Victims who don't spot these warning signs and open the file may infect their PC with Rootkit.Win32.Zbot.sapu.

Rootkit.Win32.Zbot.sapu is one of the few versions of Zeus that use rootkit technology. Rootkit.Win32.Zbot.sapu installs an additional PC threat, a variant of the Necurs rootkit, which requires particularly strenuous security solutions to delete, and which may install other threats, block security applications or give third parties control of your PC in the meantime. The version of Nercurs may be different, depending on whether the infected PC uses 64-bit or 32-bit Windows.

Having Good Taste in Your E-mail Files

Although most threat distributors go to the trouble of using encryption, archives or complex Trojan dropper-based installations to hide their payloads, Rootkit.Win32.Zbot.sapu's e-mail attachment is an obvious, and obviously threatening 'executable' or EXE file. These file types never should be installed under the assumption that they are safe, and malware researchers also find recurring cases of threatening EXE files using inappropriate file type extensions to disguise themselves. However, since no reputable company distributes gifts through unannounced e-mail-distributed files, you scarcely can go wrong by deleting similar e-mail messages as soon as you see them.

Rootkit.Win32.Zbot.sapu's creators may not have cared enough to hide Rootkit.Win32.Zbot.sapu very well, but an installed Rootkit.Win32.Zbot.sapu does continue to have the capacity for causing harm to your PC. Stolen financial information and hacked accounts are some of the usual consequences of a Zeus Trojan, and malware experts would recommend changing bank passwords, in particular, after you've removed Rootkit.Win32.Zbot.sapu with any security product.

Technical Details

Additional Information

The following URL's were detected:

https://eabsearch.com/?vnd=1&q=