Avoid infecting your system via "Cobra Industrial Machines" scam email
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
"Cobra Industrial Machines email virus" removal guide
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 letters distributed through this campaign, request recipients to provide a product quote as they have supposedly collaborated with this company before. It must be emphasized that these scam emails are in no way associated with any entities under the "Cobra Industrial Machines" title. The purpose of "Cobra Industrial Machines email virus" is to proliferate MassLogger and AZORult malicious programs.
The "Cobra Industrial Machines" scam emails (subject/title "Requesting A Quote"; may vary) are presented as product inquiries from the company's Chief Operating Officer. The letters 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 request recipients to review the attached files and provide a quote (e.g., best prices, earliest lead time, etc.). However, the attached files ("RFQ.xlsx", "Quote Requirements.exe", and "Specifications.exe"; filenames may vary) initiate malware download/installation - upon opening. 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. In other words, it can record key strokes; thereby, putting typed information at risk. If it is suspected/known that MassLogger and/or AZORult have infected the system - an anti-virus must be used 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 Malwarebytes. |
"Payment Schedule", "Burofax Online", "Advance Payment Received" - are a few examples of other malware-spreading spam campaigns. The emails distributed through these operations are usually presented as "official", "important", "priority", and similar. Aside from proliferating malicious software, deceptive letters are also used for phishing and other scams. Due to the relative prevalence of spam mail, it is strongly advised to exercise caution with incoming emails.
How did "Cobra Industrial Machines email virus" infect my computer?
Spam campaigns proliferate malware via infectious files distributed through them. These files can be attached to the emails and/or the letters contain download links of malicious content. Virulent files can be in various formats (e.g., Microsoft Office and PDF documents, archives, executables, JavaScript, etc.) and when they are executed, run, or otherwise opened - the infection chain (i.e., malware download/installation) is triggered. For example, Microsoft Office documents infect systems by executing malicious macro commands. In Microsoft Office versions released before 2010 - macros are executed the moment a document is opened. However, newer versions have "Protected View" mode that prevents automatic execution of macro commands. Instead, users are asked to enable macros (i.e., to enable editing/content).
How to avoid installation of malware?
To avoid malware spread via spam mail, it is expressly advised against opening dubious/irrelevant emails - especially any attachments or links present in them. Additionally, it is recommended to use Microsoft Office versions released after 2010. Aside from spam campaigns, malware is also distributed through untrustworthy download channels (e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third party downloaders), illegal activation tools ("cracks"), and fake updaters. Therefore, it is important to always use official/verified download sources and activate/update programs with tools provided by legitimate developers. To ensure device integrity and user privacy, it is crucial to have a dependable anti-virus/anti-spyware suite installed and kept up-to-date. This software is to be used to run regular system scans and to remove detected/potential threats. If you've already opened "Cobra Industrial Machines email virus" attachment, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.
Text presented in the "Cobra Industrial Machines" scam email letter:
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:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Malwarebytes is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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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 Malwarebytes 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 Malwarebytes for Windows.
Outstanding!
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