{
  "family": "qqshou",
  "sample_count": 2,
  "category": "trojan",
  "description": "Trojan:Win32/Qqshou is a specialized trojan designed to target users of the immensely popular Chinese instant messaging platform, Tencent QQ. Its primary objective is the theft of QQ login credentials, virtual currency (Q coins), and in-game assets linked to the account, which are then sold on underground markets.<br><br><b>Understanding Qqshou (Credential Stealers)</b><br>To an end-user, a Qqshou infection usually goes unnoticed until they find themselves locked out of their QQ account or discover their virtual currency has been drained. For a threat intelligence analyst, Qqshou represents a highly targeted, region-specific credential stealer that utilizes keylogging and memory scraping techniques focused entirely on a single application ecosystem.<br><br><b>Execution and Data Exfiltration Mechanics</b><br>Qqshou is typically distributed via malicious links sent through QQ itself, disguised as game cheats, or bundled with pirated software. Upon execution, it establishes persistence (often via Registry Run keys) and actively monitors the system for the execution of the legitimate Tencent QQ client (`qq.exe`). When detected, Qqshou employs various techniques to steal credentials: it may inject a keylogger to capture keystrokes when the QQ window is in focus (`T1056.001`), or it may use memory scraping to extract session tokens directly from the process memory (`T1003`). The stolen data is then exfiltrated to an attacker-controlled server, often via HTTP POST requests or even by sending an email.<br><br><b>Indicators of Compromise & Impact</b><br>The primary impact is the loss of the QQ account and associated financial assets. Host-based IoCs include EDR alerts for suspicious API calls (like `SetWindowsHookEx` for keylogging) originating from an unknown process and targeting `qq.exe`. Network IoCs involve anomalous outbound connections (often SMTP or HTTP) transmitting encrypted or encoded data immediately after the user logs into QQ.",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [],
  "enrichment_level": "expert-seo",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1114",
    "T1003",
    "T1056.001"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-06-09",
  "mitre_attack_detail": [
    {
      "id": "T1056.001",
      "name": "Input Capture: Keylogging (Capturing keystrokes when the QQ client is active)",
      "tactic": "Collection"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1003",
      "name": "OS Credential Dumping (Scraping memory for session tokens)",
      "tactic": "Credential Access"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1114",
      "name": "Email Collection (Sometimes used to exfiltrate stolen data)",
      "tactic": "Collection"
    }
  ],
  "containment_steps": [
    "Isolate the infected machine and use a clean device to immediately change the password for the compromised QQ account and enable two-factor authentication.",
    "Run a full system scan using a reputable anti-malware solution to locate and remove the Qqshou executable and its persistence mechanisms.",
    "Report the compromise to Tencent support to attempt recovery of any stolen virtual currency or assets.",
    "Review the account's recent activity for unauthorized messages sent to contacts (as Qqshou may be used to spread itself)."
  ],
  "what_to_avoid": [
    "Do not continue to use the infected machine for any secure logins (banking, email) until it has been thoroughly cleaned, as the keylogger may capture other credentials.",
    "Avoid clicking on unsolicited links or downloading 'cheats' from untrusted sources, even if sent by a known contact on QQ."
  ],
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}