Avoid infecting your system via the "Cobra Industrial Machines" scam email
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
What is the "Cobra Industrial Machines" scam email?
"Cobra Industrial Machines email virus" refers to a spam campaign designed to proliferate malware. The term "spam campaign" defines a mass-scale operation, during which thousands of deceptive/scam emails are sent. The messages distributed through this campaign ask recipients to provide a product quote, as they have supposedly collaborated with this company before.
Note that these scam emails are in no way associated with any entities under the "Cobra Industrial Machines" name. The purpose of the "Cobra Industrial Machines email virus" is to proliferate the MassLogger and AZORult malicious programs.
The "Cobra Industrial Machines" scam emails (the subject/title "Requesting A Quote" might vary) are presented as product inquiries from the company's Chief Operating Officer. The messages apologize for the unprompted communication. They claim that the recipients' companies have already dealt with the senders and express hope in continuing the business relationship.
The deceptive emails urge recipients to review the attached files and provide a quote (e.g., best prices, earliest lead time, etc.). In fact, the attached files ("RFQ.xlsx", "Quote Requirements.exe", and "Specifications.exe" - the filenames might also vary) initiate malware download/installation when opened.
Therefore, by trusting the "Cobra Industrial Machines" emails, users can experience system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft. The infectious files attached to the "Cobra Industrial Machines" emails are designed to initiate download/installation of MassLogger and AZORult.
The primary functionality of these malicious programs is data theft. Both target information stored in browsers and other applications. Data of interest includes (but is not limited to): browser cookies, browsing histories, account log-in credentials (i.e., IDs, usernames and passwords), chat logs, etc.
MassLogger also operates as a keylogger - it can record key strokes, thereby, putting typed information at risk. If it is suspected/known that MassLogger or AZORult have infected the system, use anti-virus software to remove them immediately.
| Name | MassLogger and AZORult malware |
| Threat Type | Trojan, password-stealing virus, banking malware, spyware. |
| Hoax | Scam emails request recipients to provide product quotes |
| Attachment(s) | RFQ.xlsx, Quote Requirements.exe, and Specifications.exe |
| Detection Names (RFQ.xlsx) | Avast (Other:Malware-gen [Trj]), BitDefender (Exploit.CVE-2017-11882.Gen), ESET-NOD32 (Probably A Variant Of Win32/Exploit.CVE-2017-118), Kaspersky (HEUR:Exploit.MSOffice.Generic), Microsoft (Exploit:O97M/CVE-2017-11882.AT!MTB), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Detection Names (Quote Requirements.exe) | Avast (FileRepMalware), BitDefenderTheta (Gen:NN.ZemsilF.34780.Vm0@aqalkZp), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of MSIL/Kryptik.ZKH), Kaspersky (UDS:DangerousObject.Multi.Generic), Microsoft (Trojan:Win32/Wacatac.B!ml), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Detection Names (Specifications.exe) | BitDefenderTheta (Gen:NN.ZemsilF.34780.nn0@aeONDLo), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of MSIL/GenKryptik.EWQW), Kaspersky (UDS:DangerousObject.Multi.Generic), McAfee (PWS-FCWG!8D8E226C0960), Microsoft (Trojan:Win32/Tnega!ml), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | Trojans are designed to stealthily infiltrate the victim's computer and remain silent, and thus no particular symptoms are clearly visible on an infected machine. |
| Payload | MassLogger and AZORult |
| Distribution methods | Infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, software 'cracks'. |
| Damage | Stolen passwords and banking information, identity theft, the victim's computer added to a botnet. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
"Payment Schedule", "Burofax Online", and "Advance Payment Received" are some examples of other malware-spreading spam campaigns. The emails distributed through these operations are usually presented as "official", "important", "priority", and similar.
As well as proliferating malicious software, deceptive messages are also used for phishing and other scams. Due to the relative prevalence of spam mail, you are strongly advised to exercise caution with incoming emails.
How did "Cobra Industrial Machines email virus" infect my computer?
Typically, ransomware and other malware is distributed through malspam campaigns, fake software updating tools, untrusted download sources, unofficial (third party) software activation tools and Trojans. Users infect computers with malware when they open malicious files that they receive via email.
These emails often contain malicious attachments or websites designed to download dangerous files. In most cases, cyber criminals send emails that have Microsoft Office documents, archive files (ZIP, RAR), PDF documents, JavaScript files, and executable files such as .exe attached to them. Fake software updating tools do not update or fix any installed software - they simply install malware instead.
They can also infect systems by exploiting bugs/flaws of outdated software. Examples of dubious file/software download channels are Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients, eMule, various free file hosting sites and freeware download websites.
Users infect computers through these channels when they download and execute malicious files, which are often disguised as legitimate and regular. Software 'cracking' tools supposedly activate licensed software free of charge (illegally), however, rather than activating anything, they often install malicious programs.
Trojans are rogue programs that, if installed, install other malware (causing chain infections).
How to avoid installation of malware
To avoid malware spread via spam mail, you are strongly advised against opening suspicious or irrelevant emails, especially those with any attachments or links present within them.
Additionally, use Microsoft Office versions released after 2010. Malicious programs also proliferate through untrusted download channels (e.g. unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders), illegal software activation ("cracking") tools, and fake updaters.
Therefore, only download from official/verified sources and activate and update software with tools/functions provided by legitimate developers.
To ensure device integrity and user privacy, have a reputable anti-virus/anti-spyware suite installed and kept updated. Furthermore, use these programs to run regular system scans and to remove detected/potential threats.
If you have already opened "Cobra Industrial Machines email virus" attachment, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.
Text presented in the "Cobra Industrial Machines" scam email message:
Subject: Requesting A Quote
Good morning,
I am Tim Brunt, the new chief operating officer at Cobra Industrial Machines LLC. I'm terribly sorry for writing out of the blue, however from our records, we've dealt with your company in the past (2010) and wish to rekindle our business relationship.
I've looked through your company brochure and would like to request a quote. Please take a look at the attached worksheet, and let me know your best prices, and earliest lead time. If possible, can I have a cell number to reach you on? or you can call me on my number in my signature, I'm always available except during lunch break.
Hoping to hear from you soon.
With best regards,
Tim Bint
Chief Operating Officer (C.O.O)
Cobra Industrial Machines LLC
Address: New Industrial Area,
SH-A2. Near Falcon Pack
UAE,
Tel: +971 55 8952712
Fax: +971 55 8592709
Email: tim.bint@cobrauae.com
Malicious attachment distributed via "Cobra Industrial Machines" spam campaign ("RFQ.xlsx"):
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is "Cobra Industrial Machines email virus"?
- STEP 1. Manual removal of MassLogger and AZORult malware.
- STEP 2. Check if your computer is clean.
How to remove malware manually?
Manual malware removal is a complicated task - usually it is best to allow antivirus or anti-malware programs to do this automatically. To remove this malware we recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.
If you wish to remove malware manually, the first step is to identify the name of the malware that you are trying to remove. Here is an example of a suspicious program running on a user's computer:
If you checked the list of programs running on your computer, for example, using task manager, and identified a program that looks suspicious, you should continue with these steps:
Download a program called Autoruns. This program shows auto-start applications, Registry, and file system locations:
Restart your computer into Safe Mode:
Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Start your computer in Safe Mode. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart, click OK. During your computer start process, press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until you see the Windows Advanced Option menu, and then select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Video showing how to start Windows 7 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Windows 8 users: Start Windows 8 is Safe Mode with Networking - Go to Windows 8 Start Screen, type Advanced, in the search results select Settings. Click Advanced startup options, in the opened "General PC Settings" window, select Advanced startup. Click the "Restart now" button. Your computer will now restart into the "Advanced Startup options menu".
Click the "Troubleshoot" button, and then click the "Advanced options" button. In the advanced option screen, click "Startup settings". Click the "Restart" button. Your PC will restart into the Startup Settings screen. Press F5 to boot in Safe Mode with Networking.
Video showing how to start Windows 8 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Windows 10 users: Click the Windows logo and select the Power icon. In the opened menu click "Restart" while holding "Shift" button on your keyboard. In the "choose an option" window click on the "Troubleshoot", next select "Advanced options".
In the advanced options menu select "Startup Settings" and click on the "Restart" button. In the following window you should click the "F5" button on your keyboard. This will restart your operating system in safe mode with networking.
Video showing how to start Windows 10 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Extract the downloaded archive and run the Autoruns.exe file.
In the Autoruns application, click "Options" at the top and uncheck "Hide Empty Locations" and "Hide Windows Entries" options. After this procedure, click the "Refresh" icon.
Check the list provided by the Autoruns application and locate the malware file that you want to eliminate.
You should write down its full path and name. Note that some malware hides process names under legitimate Windows process names. At this stage, it is very important to avoid removing system files. After you locate the suspicious program you wish to remove, right click your mouse over its name and choose "Delete".
After removing the malware through the Autoruns application (this ensures that the malware will not run automatically on the next system startup), you should search for the malware name on your computer. Be sure to enable hidden files and folders before proceeding. If you find the filename of the malware, be sure to remove it.
Reboot your computer in normal mode. Following these steps should remove any malware from your computer. Note that manual threat removal requires advanced computer skills. If you do not have these skills, leave malware removal to antivirus and anti-malware programs.
These steps might not work with advanced malware infections. As always it is best to prevent infection than try to remove malware later. To keep your computer safe, install the latest operating system updates and use antivirus software.
To be sure your computer is free of malware infections, we recommend scanning it with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.
Outstanding!
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