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PUA.Win32.InstallCore.USMANHOBQU

June 13, 2020
 Modified by: Joshua Paul Ignacio
 ALIASES:

N/A

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Potentially Unwanted Application

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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

It connects to certain websites to send and receive information. However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

684,408 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

11 Jun 2020

Arrival Details

This Potentially Unwanted Application 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 Potentially Unwanted Application drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\Setup.exe
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\data.js
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\img\Thumbs.db
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\img\1.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\img\4.jpeg
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\img\0.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\img\1.jpeg
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\img\2.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\img\3.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\index.html
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\sqlite3.dll
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\js\app.js
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\js\vendor.js
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\js\formcontrols.min.js
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\css\layout.css
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\css\formcontrols.css
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\css\main.css
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\css\PIE.htc
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\windows_track.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\select.png
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\checkbox.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\page.png
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\progress.png
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\windows_drag_top.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\windows_drag_bottom.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\button_normal.png
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\button_disabled.png
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\windows_drag_middle.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\windows_arrow_down.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\radio.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\windows_arrow_up.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\hr.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\data0.js

(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).)

It adds the following processes:

  • "%User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\Setup.exe" %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\index.html

(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).)

It creates the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\img
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\js
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\css
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img

(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).)

Other System Modifications

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows Script\Settings
JitDebug = 0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
DirectDraw\MostRecentApplication
Name = Setup.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
DirectDraw\MostRecentApplication
ID = {Random Numbers}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Direct3D\MostRecentApplication
Name = Setup.exe

Other Details

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows Script

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows Script\Settings

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
DirectDraw\MostRecentApplication

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Direct3D\MostRecentApplication

It connects to the following website to send and receive information:

  • http://freeins{BLOCKED}.net/trck.php

It does the following:

  • It displays the following during installation:



However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

2.301.00

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

08 Jun 2020

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

2.302.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

09 Jun 2020

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

Note that not all files, folders, and registry keys and entries are installed on your computer during this malware's/spyware's/grayware's execution. This may be due to incomplete installation or other operating system conditions. If you do not find the same files/folders/registry information, please proceed to the next step.

Step 3

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 Script\Settings
    • JitDebug = 0
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DirectDraw\MostRecentApplication
    • Name = Setup.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DirectDraw\MostRecentApplication
    • ID = {Random Numbers}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Direct3D\MostRecentApplication
    • Name = Setup.exe

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.

  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Script
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Script\Settings
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DirectDraw\MostRecentApplication
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Direct3D\MostRecentApplication

Step 5

Search and delete these files

[ Learn More ]
There may be some component files 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%\sfx{Random Numbers}\Setup.exe
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\data.js
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\img\Thumbs.db
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\img\1.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\img\4.jpeg
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\img\0.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\img\1.jpeg
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\img\2.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\img\3.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\index.html
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\sqlite3.dll
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\js\app.js
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\js\vendor.js
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\js\formcontrols.min.js
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\css\layout.css
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\css\formcontrols.css
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\css\main.css
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\css\PIE.htc
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\windows_track.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\select.png
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\checkbox.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\page.png
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\progress.png
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\windows_drag_top.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\windows_drag_bottom.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\button_normal.png
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\button_disabled.png
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\windows_drag_middle.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\windows_arrow_down.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\radio.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\windows_arrow_up.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img\hr.gif
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\data0.js

Step 6

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%\sfx{Random Numbers}
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\img
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\js
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\css
  • %User Temp%\sfx{Random Numbers}\web\img

Step 7

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as PUA.Win32.InstallCore.USMANHOBQU. 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 the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:


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