What is SDBbot? How to remove SDBbot Trojan from your PC or Mac?
The SDBbot Trojan is a dangerous malware threat which is designed mainly for Microsoft Windows computers. It can be acquired from various sources, every attack campaign can focus on one specific tactic. Usually virus infections like this one are made by interacting with an infected file — this can be either a macro-infected document or a hacker-made software installer. They are often made by taking the legitimate files from their official sources and modifying them with the necessary virus code. Other data can also be affected. All kinds of other data may be used as well — this includes malicious plugins for web browsers and etc. In other cases the hackers can use a direct attacks that will look for system vulnerabilities and weaknesses. If any are found then the SDBbot Trojan will be installed.
This particular threat is known for being spread using a multitude of weaknesses. It is set against both end users and servers. After the infection has been made the SDBbot Trojan can download other threats, launch multiple dangerous modules and install a cryptocurrency miner which will run a sequence of performance-demanding tasks.
Threat Summary
| Name | SDBbot Trojan |
| Type | Malware, Trojan, Miner |
| Short Description | A dangerous malware which can launch a miner and start a Trojan module. |
| Symptoms | The victims may notice performance issues and can get infected with other malware. |
| Distribution Method | Common distribution tactics and direct web attacks. |
| Detection Tool |
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SDBbot Trojan Update April 2020
The hacking group known as TA505 has launched a yet another attack campaign leveraging the SDBbot Trojan against large corporations. The latest attack is against enterprise networks across Europe. The criminals are using phishing emails that are designed as being sent by HR staff from Onehub – a legitimate service used by many companies.
The messages contain file attachments which are text documents called Resume.doc, when they are opened by the victims a prompt will be spawned asking the users to enable the built-in code. This will trigger a payload download function via a DLL file. The analysis of the contained within files reveals that the first function will be to extract the configuration settings of the Active Directory implementation used for network login. It is used to infect the computer with the Trojan.
Other features of the Trojan are a persistent mechanism which ensures that the threat will be started as soon as the computer is started. The built-in password credentials harvester will also execute in order to acquire sensitive content.
SDBbot Trojan — Update October 2019
The TA505 hacking group has been found to orchestrate a mass email phishing campaign by sending out messages that appear as sent by legitimate services. They will attempt to manipulate the users to interact with the shown contents, download and run files or open up links. This behavior is expected as many of the most common approaches will be used:
- Update Notifications — The email messages will state that important software will need to be patched. The proposed updates will be attached or linked in the email.
- New Application Information — This is another common practice which will manipulate the users into believing that they need to install a new software that will provide newer functionality for something that they already use.
- Files Delivery — Among the most common scenarios is the simple file transfer which will impersonate friends, relatives or colleagues.
- Pirate Content — Often users will be presented with links to download expensive software. Through the given links the malware will be downloaded.
The email messages can be automatically translated using Google Translate or other software in order to target specific users and their locations. The two most widely used files in this campaign are the following:
- Malware Documents — These are macro-infected documents which can be of all popular file formats. When opened by the victims a prompt will appear asking them to enable the built-in code. This will trigger the infection process.
- ISO Files — These are image files which are usually installers of software or carry important software. They can be accessed by most operating systems and the most common way of interacting with them is to “mount” them in the file manager.
SDBbot Trojan — How Did I Get It
The SDBot Trojan is a malware threat which is being launched by the TA505 hacking group, they are known for causing a lot of high-profile attacks against both government and industry targets.
The security analysis shows that the method of distribution is the organization of phishing strategies. This is done by using an initial downloader that is delivered alongside the contents.
The confirmed targets so far include organizations and high-profile targets in the following locations: Singapore, Georgia, Sweden, Greece, Lithuania, United Arab Emirates and etc. In seems that there is an emphasis on financial countries which are spammed with fake notifications that are written in both English and Greek. The email messages include a malware Excel spreadsheet file. When opened it will either automatically start the built-in scripts or prompt the victims to do so.
Another strategy which was employed by the hackers is the sending out of shortened URL file — it will redirect the victims to a hacker-controlled page which contains the malware Excel file.
This shows that it is very possible in the future the TA505 hackers to use other techniques in order to deliver the SDBot. The most popular alternatives are the following:
- Infected Setup Bundles — The hackers can create dangerous installers of popular software which are often downloaded by end users. They can be shared on hacker-made sites, social network profiles and file-sharing networks.
- Malware Browser Plugins — These are dangerous extensions which are made compatible with the most popular web browsers. The malware plugins will be uploaded to the relevant repositories with hacked or specially made developer credentials. The posted descriptions can promise a variety of feature additions or performance optimizations.
- File-Sharing Networks — The malware files that will deploy the threat can be shared over different file-sharing networks such as BitTorrent.
SDBbot Trojan — Capabilities
The virus installation begins by a the execution of the initial malware dropper which will launch the main engine of the Trojan and all associated modules. One of the first actions which are done is the data collection of sensitive information. According to the conducted security analysis this can include data that can be categorized into two main groups:
- Personal Information — This includes information that can reveal the identity of the victims including a person’s name, address, mobile phone number and any stored account credentials.
- Machine Information — The engine can create a list of the installed hardware parts. The information can then be used to construct an unique ID that can be placed on every infected machine.
The next step is to enable the actual Trojan operations — this will setup a persistent connection to a hacker-controlled server which will be kept running for as long as possible.
The hacking group has also embedded other options like modifying the Windows Registry. At any time the active infection can be used to deploy other modules, as well as viruses onto the compromised hosts.
How to Remove SDBbot Trojan
In order to fully remove SDBbot from your computer system, we recommend that you follow the removal instructions underneath this article. If the first two manual removal steps do not seem to work and you still see SDBbot or programs, related to it, we suggest what most security experts advise – to download and run a scan of your computer with a reputable anti-malware program. Downloading this software will not only save you some time, but will remove all of SDBbot files and programs related to it and will protect your computer against such intrusive apps and malware in the future.
Martin Beltov
Martin graduated with a degree in Publishing from Sofia University. As a cyber security enthusiast he enjoys writing about the latest threats and mechanisms of intrusion.
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Preparation before removing SDBbot Trojan.
Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.
- Make sure you have these instructions always open and in front of your eyes.
- Do a backup of all of your files, even if they could be damaged. You should back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats.
- Be patient as this could take a while.
- Scan for Malware
- Fix Registries
- Remove Virus Files
Step 1: Scan for SDBbot Trojan with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by SDBbot Trojan on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by SDBbot Trojan there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.Step 3: Find virus files created by SDBbot Trojan on your PC.
1.For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
1: On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
2: Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.
3: Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC's screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be "fileextension:exe". After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:
N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navigation box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn't found it yet.
2.For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Older Windows Operating Systems
In older Windows OS's the conventional approach should be the effective one:
1: Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
2: After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.
3: After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.
Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.
SDBbot Trojan FAQ
What Does SDBbot Trojan Trojan Do?
The SDBbot Trojan Trojan is a malicious computer program designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. It can be used to steal sensitive data, gain control over a system, or launch other malicious activities.
Can Trojans Steal Passwords?
Yes, Trojans, like SDBbot Trojan, can steal passwords. These malicious programs are designed to gain access to a user's computer, spy on victims and steal sensitive information such as banking details and passwords.
Can SDBbot Trojan Trojan Hide Itself?
Yes, it can. A Trojan can use various techniques to mask itself, including rootkits, encryption, and obfuscation, to hide from security scanners and evade detection.
Can a Trojan be Removed by Factory Reset?
Yes, a Trojan can be removed by factory resetting your device. This is because it will restore the device to its original state, eliminating any malicious software that may have been installed. Bear in mind that there are more sophisticated Trojans that leave backdoors and reinfect even after a factory reset.
Can SDBbot Trojan Trojan Infect WiFi?
Yes, it is possible for a Trojan to infect WiFi networks. When a user connects to the infected network, the Trojan can spread to other connected devices and can access sensitive information on the network.
Can Trojans Be Deleted?
Yes, Trojans can be deleted. This is typically done by running a powerful anti-virus or anti-malware program that is designed to detect and remove malicious files. In some cases, manual deletion of the Trojan may also be necessary.
Can Trojans Steal Files?
Yes, Trojans can steal files if they are installed on a computer. This is done by allowing the malware author or user to gain access to the computer and then steal the files stored on it.
Which Anti-Malware Can Remove Trojans?
Anti-malware programs such as SpyHunter are capable of scanning for and removing Trojans from your computer. It is important to keep your anti-malware up to date and regularly scan your system for any malicious software.
Can Trojans Infect USB?
Yes, Trojans can infect USB devices. USB Trojans typically spread through malicious files downloaded from the internet or shared via email, allowing the hacker to gain access to a user's confidential data.
About the SDBbot Trojan Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this SDBbot Trojan how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific trojan problem.
How did we conduct the research on SDBbot Trojan?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of trojans (backdoor, downloader, infostealer, ransom, etc.)
Furthermore, the research behind the SDBbot Trojan threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.