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ADW_SEARCH

November 26, 2013
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Adware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This adware arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

215,184 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

26 Nov 2013

Arrival Details

This adware arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

Autostart Technique

This adware adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
BaroSearch = "%Program Files%\BaroSearch\barosearchs.exe"

Other System Modifications

This adware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\BaroSearch

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\BaroSearch
Aff = "4044419646F72EA1B5"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\BaroSearch
ver = "2.7"

Dropping Routine

This adware drops the following files:

  • %Program Files%\BaroSearch\icon.zip
  • %Program Files%\BaroSearch\barosearch.exe

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (64-bit).)

Other Details

This adware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://download.{BLOCKED}arch.co.kr/bacon2/_autofile/_icon/A11043976.zip
  • http://download.{BLOCKED}arch.co.kr/bacon2/A11043976/{BLOCKED}arch.exe

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.

Step 2

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

Delete this registry key

[ Learn More ]

Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this step only if you know how or you can ask assistance from your system administrator. Else, check this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • BaroSearch

Step 4

Delete this registry value

[ Learn More ]

Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this step only if you know how or you can ask assistance from your system administrator. Else, check this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • BaroSearch = "%Program Files%\BaroSearch\barosearchs.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\BaroSearch
    • Aff = "4044419646F72EA1B5"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\BaroSearch
    • ver = "2.7"

Step 5

Search and delete these components

[ Learn More ]
There may be some components that are hidden. Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the "More advanced options" option to include all hidden files and folders in the search result.
  • %Program Files%\BaroSearch\icon.zip
  • %Program Files%\BaroSearch\barosearch.exe

Step 6

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as ADW_SEARCH. If the detected files have already been cleaned, deleted, or quarantined by your Trend Micro product, no further step is required. You may opt to simply delete the quarantined files. Please check this Knowledge Base page for more information.


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