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PUA.Win32.MyWebSearch.IT

July 24, 2019
 Analysis by: Maureen Reyes
 ALIASES:

Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.BA potentially unwanted (ESET-NOD32), PUA:Win32/MyWebSearch (Microsoft)

 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 may be manually installed by a user.

It does not have any file infection routine.

It does not have any propagation routine.

It does not have any backdoor routine.

It does not have any downloading capability.

It does not have any information-stealing capability.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

396,088 bytes

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

22 Jul 2019

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.

It may be manually installed by a user.

Infection Points

This Potentially Unwanted Application does not have any file infection routine.

Installation

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp
  • %AppDataLocal%\SearchFormsOnlineTooltab

(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).. %AppDataLocal% is the Local Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\nsDialogs.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\System.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\SFO_msi_bg-copy_1501864054589.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\reporting
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\cancel_blue_1475521919365_1487177690297..bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\Install_ENG_1436200260055.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\installerParams
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\secondary_ng.png
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\secondary_accept.png
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\secondary_decline.png
  • %AppDataLocal%\SearchFormsOnlineTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll

(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).. %AppDataLocal% is the Local Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local 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 keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SearchFormsOnline

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
SearchFormsOnlineTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SearchFormsOnline
StartPage = "http://{BLOCKED}p.{BLOCKED}y.com/searchformsonline/ttab02/index.html?n=78589939&p2=^CPV^mni000^TTAB02&ptb={GUID}&coid={Hex string}""

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SearchFormsOnline
UninstallSurveyUrl = "https://@{downloadDomain}.{BLOCKED}l.{BLOCKED}y.com/uninstall.jhtml?c={GUID}&ptb=^CPV^mni000^TTAB02"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
SearchFormsOnlineTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
DisplayName = "SearchFormsOnline Internet Explorer Homepage and New Tab"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
SearchFormsOnlineTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
HelpLink = "http://support.{BLOCKED}rk.com"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
SearchFormsOnlineTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
Publisher = "Mindspark Interactive Network, Inc"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
SearchFormsOnlineTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
UninstallString = "Rundll32.exe "%AppDataLocal%\SearchFormsOnlineTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll" U uninstall:SearchFormsOnline"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
SearchFormsOnlineTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
URLInfoAbout = "http://support.{BLOCKED}rk.com/"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing
NewTabPageShow = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Start Page = "http://{BLOCKED}p.{BLOCKED}y.com/searchformsonline/ttab02/index.html?n=78589939&p2=^CPV^mni000^TTAB02&ptb={GUID}&coid={Hex String}"

Propagation

This Potentially Unwanted Application does not have any propagation routine.

Backdoor Routine

This Potentially Unwanted Application does not have any backdoor routine.

It uses the following mail servers to send and receive information:

  • https://anx.{BLOCKED}rk.com/anx.gif?anxa=CAPDownloadProcess&anxe=Error&errorCode=-8&errorType=nsisError&errorDetails=asd%2Eexe&platform=vicinio&anxv=2.7.1.3000&anxd=2019-03-05&coid=64e3012152a44ebd8a1dd11680fe7ccb&refPartner=^CPV^mni000^TTAB02&refSub=&anxl=en-US&anxr=2058601518&refCobrand=CPV&refCampaign=mni000&refTrack=TTAB02&refCountry=
  • https://anx.{BLOCKED}rk.com/anx.gif?anxa=CAPDownloadProcess&anxe=Error&errorCode=-13&errorType=nsisError&errorDetails=EmptyPartnerId&platform=vicinio&anxv=2.7.1.3000&anxd=2019-03-05&coid=64e3012152a44ebd8a1dd11680fe7ccb&refPartner=^CPV^mni000^TTAB02&refSub=&anxl=en-US&anxr=2020345160&refCobrand=CPV&refCampaign=mni000&refTrack=TTAB02&refCountry=
  • https://anx.{BLOCKED}rk.com/anx.gif?anxa=CAPDownloadProcess&anxe=InstallerInvoked&platform=vicinio&anxv=2.7.1.3000&anxd=2019-03-05&coid=64e3012152a44ebd8a1dd11680fe7ccb&refPartner=^CPV^mni000^TTAB02&refSub=&anxl=en-US&anxr=2088691720&refCobrand=CPV&refCampaign=mni000&refTrack=TTAB02&refCountry=
  • https://anx.{BLOCKED}rk.com/anx.gif?anxa=CAPDownloadProcess&anxe=InstallerFinished&tbUID=70B3CF97-4F7B-4C81-9A23-222BB4B4B6B7&tbVer=&platform=vicinio&anxv=2.7.1.3000&anxd=2019-03-05&coid=64e3012152a44ebd8a1dd11680fe7ccb&refPartner=^CPV^mni000^TTAB02&refSub=&anxl=en-US&anxr=-2012876359&refCobrand=CPV&refCampaign=mni000&refTrack=TTAB02&refCountry=

Rootkit Capabilities

This Potentially Unwanted Application does not have rootkit capabilities.

Download Routine

This Potentially Unwanted Application does not have any downloading capability.

Information Theft

This Potentially Unwanted Application does not have any information-stealing capability.

Other Details

This Potentially Unwanted Application does the following:

  • It displays the following installer window:
  • Checking Make SearchformsOnline my homepage & new tab modifies the Internet Explorer homepage to http://{BLOCKED}p.{BLOCKED}y.com/searchformsonline/ttab02/index.html?n=78589939&p2=^CPV^mni000^TTAB02&ptb=7{GUID}&coid={hex string}

  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

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 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\SearchFormsOnline
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SearchFormsOnlineTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer

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\SearchFormsOnline
    • StartPage = "http://{BLOCKED}p.{BLOCKED}y.com/searchformsonline/ttab02/index.html?n=78589939&p2=^CPV^mni000^TTAB02&ptb={GUID}&coid={Hex String}""
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SearchFormsOnline
    • UnInstallSurveyUrl = ""https://@{downloadDomain}.{BLOCKED}l.{BLOCKED}y.com/uninstall.jhtml?c={GUID}&ptb=^CPV^mni000^TTAB02"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SearchFormsOnlineTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
    • DisplayName = "SearchFormsOnline Internet Explorer Homepage and New Tab"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SearchFormsOnlineTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
    • HelpLink = "http://support.{BLOCKED}rk.com"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SearchFormsOnlineTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
    • Publisher = "Mindspark Interactive, Inc."
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SearchFormsOnlineTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
    • UninstallString = "Rundll32.exe "%AppDataLocal%\SearchFormsOnlineTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll" U uninstall:SearchFormsOnline"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SearchFormsOnlineTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
    • URLInforAbout = "http://support.{BLOCKED}rk.com/"

Step 5

Search and delete this folder

[ 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%\ns{Random}.tmp
  • %AppDataLocal%\SearchFormsOnlineTooltab

Step 6

Search and delete this file

[ Learn More ]
There may be some 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%\ns{Random}.tmp\nsDialogs.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\System.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\SFO_msi_bg-copy_1501864054589.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\reporting
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\cancel_blue_1475521919365_1487177690297..bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\Install_ENG_1436200260055.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\installerParams
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\secondary_ng.png
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\secondary_accept.png
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\secondary_decline.png
  • %AppDataLocal%\SearchFormsOnlineTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll

Step 7

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as PUA.Win32.MyWebSearch.IT. 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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