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PUA.Win32.AppBundler.A

July 18, 2019
 Modified by: Maureen Reyes
 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Trojan 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:

1,021,248 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

18 Jul 2019

Arrival Details

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

Installation

This Trojan adds the following processes:

  • "%User Profile%\Documents\APNSetup.exe" /macro=fid_ie:{GUID} /install=ARS-SPMED /dtid=local /trgb=IE /type=media /hpr=1 /log /sa=1

(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It creates the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\upgrade
  • %User Temp%\APN-Stub
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3
  • %All Users Profile%\APN
  • %All Users Profile%\APN\APN-Stub\ARS-SPMED
  • %All Users Profile%\APN\APN-Stub
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\images
  • %User Temp%\APN-Stub\ARS-SPMED
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\upgrade\upgrade

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %All Users Profile% is the common user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\ProgramData on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit). )

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
APN-Stub_ARS-SPMED = "{random characters}"

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\APN PIP\
ARS

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\APN PIP

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\
ARS
OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x8b\xc1\xce\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\APN PIP
CmdRep = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\APN PIP
RepTo = "30"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\APN PIP
CmdRep = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\APN PIP
CmdLn = "{random characters}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\APN PIP
RepRes = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\
ARS
OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x01\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\
ARS
OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x03\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\
ARS
OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x03\x01\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\
ARS
OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x0b\x01\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\
ARS
OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x0bA\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\
ARS
OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x0b\xc1\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\
ARS
OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x0b\xc1\x02\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\
ARS
OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x0b\xc1\x06\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\
ARS
OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x0b\xc1\x0e\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\
ARS
OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x0b\xc1N\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\
ARS
OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x0b\xc1\xce\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"

Dropping Routine

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\embeddownload.htm
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\masterrule.js
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\download.htm
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\IEOS.dll
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\images\wait_animation.gif
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\images\FFSaturation1.png
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\OCDLL.dll
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\Start.htm
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\images\IEPrimary2.png
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\prefetch.htm
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\offerlist.js
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\images\IESaturation1.png
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\wait_animation.gif
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\embedoffer2xtemplate.htm
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\embedmasterrule.js
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\orchestrator.htm
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\embedorchestrator.htm
  • %User Profile%\Documents\APNSetup.exe
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\upgrade\remoteapnanalytic.js
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\images\CRSaturation1.png
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\images\FFPrimary2.png
  • %User Temp%\APN-Stub\ARS-SPMED\Stb57b76f66-59ac-4a77-a51d-0c6bae5c8b39.log
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\ocerror.js
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\upgrade\upgrade\remoteapnanalytic.js
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\apnanalytic.js
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\progress.htm
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\upgrade.zip
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\scrolltext.xml
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\reboot.htm
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\offer2xtemplate.htm
  • %All Users Profile%\APN\APN-Stub\ARS-SPMED\ApnSetup.exe
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\images\CRPrimary2.png

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %All Users Profile% is the common user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\ProgramData on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit). )

Other Details

This Trojan connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://sf.{BLOCKED}d.com/{random path}
  • http://ak.{BLOCKED}ers.apnpartners.com/static/partners/upgrade/ARS/3.9.1/upgrade.zip
  • http://pipoffers.{BLOCKED}tners.com/static/partners/generic/images/install.ico
  • http://apnmedia.{BLOCKED}k.com/media/toolbar/everest/7.25.0/APNSetup.exe
  • http://phn.{BLOCKED}lytics.com/tr.gif?{random characters}
  • http://tbapi.{BLOCKED}h.ask.com/v7/installed?{random characters}
  • http://apnmedia.{BLOCKED}k.com/{random path}
  • http://phn.{BLOCKED}lytics.com:443/tr.gif?{random characters}
  • http://offers.{BLOCKED}ast.com/PIP/OfferAccept.jhtml?rnd=VafC5
  • http://offers.{BLOCKED}ast.com/PIP/OfferAccept.jhtml?rnd=ip-xx
  • http://offers.{BLOCKED}ast.com/PIP/OfferAccept.jhtml?rnd=cKiks
  • http://offers.{BLOCKED}ast.com/PIP/OfferAccept.jhtml?rnd=WElyq
  • http://offers.{BLOCKED}ast.com/PIP/OfferAccept.jhtml?rnd=WI_iQ

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

SSAPI PATTERN File:

2.193.00

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

18 Jul 2019

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.

Step 2

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

Identify and terminate files detected as PUA.Win32.AppBundler.A

[ Learn More ]
  1. Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
  2. If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

Step 4

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\APN PIP
    • ARS
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE
    • APN PIP

Step 5

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
    • APN-Stub_ARS-SPMED = "{random characters}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\ARS
    • OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x01\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\ARS
    • OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x03\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\ARS
    • OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x03\x01\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\ARS
    • OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x0b\x01\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\ARS
    • OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x0bA\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\ARS
    • OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x0b\xc1\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\ARS
    • OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x0b\xc1\x02\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\ARS
    • OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x0b\xc1\x06\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\ARS
    • OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x0b\xc1\x0e\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\ARS
    • OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x0b\xc1N\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\ARS
    • OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x0b\xc1\xce\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN PIP\ARS
    • OCLastSuccesSteps = "\x8b\xc1\xce\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\APN PIP
    • CmdRep = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\APN PIP
    • RepTo = "30"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\APN PIP
    • CmdRep = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\APN PIP
    • CmdLn = "{random characters}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\APN PIP
    • RepRes = "0"

Step 6

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.
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\embeddownload.htm
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\masterrule.js
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\download.htm
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\IEOS.dll
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\images\wait_animation.gif
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\images\FFSaturation1.png
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\OCDLL.dll
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\Start.htm
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\images\IEPrimary2.png
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\prefetch.htm
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\offerlist.js
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\images\IESaturation1.png
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\wait_animation.gif
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\embedoffer2xtemplate.htm
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\embedmasterrule.js
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\orchestrator.htm
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\embedorchestrator.htm
  • %User Profile%\Documents\APNSetup.exe
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\upgrade\remoteapnanalytic.js
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\images\CRSaturation1.png
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\images\FFPrimary2.png
  • %User Temp%\APN-Stub\ARS-SPMED\Stb57b76f66-59ac-4a77-a51d-0c6bae5c8b39.log
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\ocerror.js
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\upgrade\upgrade\remoteapnanalytic.js
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\apnanalytic.js
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\progress.htm
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\upgrade.zip
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\scrolltext.xml
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\reboot.htm
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\offer2xtemplate.htm
  • %All Users Profile%\APN\APN-Stub\ARS-SPMED\ApnSetup.exe
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\images\CRPrimary2.png

Step 7

Search and delete these folders

[ Learn More ]
Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden folders in the search result.
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\upgrade
  • %User Temp%\APN-Stub
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3
  • %All Users Profile%\APN
  • %All Users Profile%\APN\APN-Stub\ARS-SPMED
  • %All Users Profile%\APN\APN-Stub
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\images
  • %User Temp%\APN-Stub\ARS-SPMED
  • %User Temp%\oc_BFD3\upgrade\upgrade

Step 8

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as PUA.Win32.AppBundler.A. 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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