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PUA_WINTHRUSTER.GB

February 08, 2017
 Analysis by: Pearl Charlaine Espejo
 ALIASES:

ADWARE/Solvusoft.kzgm (Avira); ApplicUnwnt.Win32.Solvusoft.A (Comodo); Win32/Solvusoft.B potentially unwanted (ESET-NOD32)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Potentially Unwanted Application

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • 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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

2,173,104 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

04 Mar 2016

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.

Installation

This potentially unwanted application adds the following folders:

  • %Application Data%\Solvusoft
  • %Common Startup%\FileViewPro
  • %Common Startup%\WinThruster
  • %Program Files%\FileViewPro
  • %Program Files%\WinThruster
  • %System Root%\Spacekace
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp

(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.. %Common Startup% is the system's shared Startup folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, and C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.. %Program Files% is the Program Files folder, where it usually is C:\Program Files on all Windows operating system versions; C:\Program Files (x86) for 32-bit applications running on Windows 64-bit operating systems.. %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.. %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)

It drops the following files:

  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\{Username}@www.solvusoft[1].txt
  • %Application Data%\Solvusoft\WinThruster\eng_rcp.dat
  • %Application Data%\Solvusoft\WinThruster\log_05-10-2016.log
  • %Application Data%\Solvusoft\WinThruster\vis.ini
  • %Desktop%\FileViewPro.lnk
  • %Desktop%\WinThruster.lnk
  • %Program Files%\FileViewPro\7z\is-{random characters}.tmp
  • %Program Files%\FileViewPro\Code\Extended\is-{random characters}.tmp
  • %Program Files%\FileViewPro\Cursors\is-{random characters}.tmp
  • %Program Files%\FileViewPro\Langs\is-{random characters}.tmp
  • %Program Files%\FileViewPro\Raw\is-{random characters}.tmp
  • %Program Files%\FileViewPro\Wps\is-{random characters}.tmp
  • %Program Files%\FileViewPro\de\is-{random characters}.tmp
  • %Program Files%\FileViewPro\es\is-{random characters}.tmp
  • %Program Files%\FileViewPro\is-{random characters}.tmp
  • %Program Files%\FileViewPro\ja\is-{random characters}.tmp
  • %Program Files%\FileViewPro\ru\is-{random characters}.tmp
  • %Program Files%\FileViewPro\unins000.dat
  • %Program Files%\FileViewPro\unins000.msg
  • %Program Files%\WinThruster\is-{random characters}.tmp
  • %Program Files%\WinThruster\unins000.dat
  • %Program Files%\WinThruster\unins000.msg
  • %System Root%\Spacekace\staticbuild-log.log
  • %System%\roboot.exe
  • %User Temp%\is-{random characters}.tmp\Offer1.tmp
  • %User Temp%\is-{random characters}.tmp\Primary.tmp
  • %User Temp%\is-{random characters}.tmp\_isetup\_iscrypt.dll
  • %User Temp%\is-{random characters}.tmp\_isetup\_shfoldr.dll
  • %User Temp%\is-{random characters}.tmp\isxdl.dll
  • %User Temp%\is-{random characters}.tmp\roboot.exe
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\Banner.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\ButtonEvent.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\InetBgDL.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\LangDLL.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\Math.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\Offer1.exe
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\Primary.exe
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\System.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\background.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\button.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\checked.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\checked_disabled.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\fileviewpro-logo.jpg
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\inetc.pdb
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\modern-wizard.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\newtextreplace.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\nsArray.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\nsArray.pdb
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\nsDialogs.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\nsJSON.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\nsWeb.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\offer-1.html
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\progress_finished.jpg
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\progress_installation.jpg
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\progress_softwareoptions.jpg
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\progress_welcome.jpg
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\sidebar-asian-384.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\sidebar-asian.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\sidebar-caucasian.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\sidebar-hispanic.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\sidebar-indian.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\spoiler-russian.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\spoiler-turkey.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_ar.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_cs.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_da.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_de.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_el.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_en-us.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_en.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_es.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_fi.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_fr.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_hi.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_hu.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_it.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_ja.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_ko.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_nl.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_no.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_pl.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_pt-br.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_pt.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_ro.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_ru.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_sv.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_tr.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_zh-cn.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\tutorial-winthruster_zh-tw.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\unchecked.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\unchecked_disabled.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\yandex-offer-sidebar-en.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\yandex-offer-sidebar-ru.bmp
  • %Common Startup%\FileViewPro\FileViewPro.lnk
  • %Common Startup%\FileViewPro\Uninstall FileViewPro.lnk
  • %Common Startup%\WinThruster\Uninstall WinThruster.lnk
  • %Common Startup%\WinThruster\WinThruster.lnk

Autostart Technique

This potentially unwanted application drops the following files:

  • %System%\Tasks\WinThruster
  • %System%\Tasks\WinThruster_DEFAULT
  • %System%\Tasks\WinThruster_UPDATES
  • %Windows%\Tasks\WinThruster_DEFAULT.job
  • %Windows%\Tasks\WinThruster_UPDATES.job

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.. %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

Other System Modifications

This potentially unwanted application adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Solvusoft

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Solvusoft\
WinThruster

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Solvusoft\
WinThruster\LANG

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WinThruster_is1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Solvusoft

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Solvusoft\
WinThruster

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Solvusoft\
WinThruster\LANG

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Solvusoft\
WinThruster
visparam = "{value}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Solvusoft\
WinThruster
utm_source = "winthruster"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Solvusoft\
WinThruster
utm_medium = "software"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Solvusoft\
WinThruster
RCPURL = "http://www.solvusoft.com//winthruster/purchase/?utm_source=winthruster&utm_campaign=1.79&utm_medium=software"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Solvusoft\
WinThruster
RENEWALURL = "http://www.solvusoft.com//winthruster/renew/?utm_source=winthruster&utm_campaign=1.79&utm_medium=software"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WinThruster_is1
Inno Setup: App Path = "%Program Files%\WinThruster"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WinThruster_is1
InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\WinThruster\"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WinThruster_is1
Inno Setup: Icon Group = "WinThruster"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WinThruster_is1
Inno Setup: User = "{username}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WinThruster_is1
DisplayName = "WinThruster"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WinThruster_is1
DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\WinThruster\WinThruster.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WinThruster_is1
UninstallString = ""%Program Files%\WinThruster\unins000.exe""

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WinThruster_is1
QuietUninstallString = ""%Program Files%\WinThruster\unins000.exe" /SILENT"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WinThruster_is1
Publisher = "solvusoft Corporation"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WinThruster_is1
URLInfoAbout = "http://solvusoft.com/"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WinThruster_is1
HelpLink = "http://solvusoft.com/"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WinThruster_is1
NoModify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WinThruster_is1
NoRepair = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WinThruster_is1
InstallDate = "{Installation date}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
WinThruster_is1
UninstallString = ""%Program Files%\WinThruster\unins000.exe" /silent"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
FileViewPro_is1
Inno Setup: App Path = "%Program Files%\FileViewPro"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
FileViewPro_is1
InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\FileViewPro\"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
FileViewPro_is1
Inno Setup: Icon Group = "FileViewPro"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
FileViewPro_is1
Inno Setup: User = "{username}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
FileViewPro_is1
DisplayName = "FileViewPro"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
FileViewPro_is1
DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\FileViewPro\FileViewPro.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
FileViewPro_is1
UninstallString = ""%Program Files%\FileViewPro\unins000.exe""

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
FileViewPro_is1
QuietUninstallString = ""%Program Files%\FileViewPro\unins000.exe" /SILENT"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
FileViewPro_is1
Publisher = "Solvusoft Corporation"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
FileViewPro_is1
NoModify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
FileViewPro_is1
NoRepair = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
FileViewPro_is1
InstallDate = "{Installation Date}"

Other Details

This potentially unwanted application connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://www.{BLOCKED}oft.com/file-downloads/builds/static_delivery/installers/winthruster/stk/build_011916/WinThruster_2016_Setup.exe
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}oft.com/file-downloads/builds/static_delivery/file_parts/fileviewpro/build_013116/FileViewPro-1.2.1.0.exe
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}oft.com/api/get-visitor.php
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}oft.com/en/winthruster/install/?utm_source=winthruster&utm_campaign=1.79&utm_medium=software&vid={id}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}oft.com/en-us/fileviewpro/install/?utm_source=fileviewpro&utm_campaign={version}&utm_medium=bundle-winthruster
  • http://static.{BLOCKED}oft.com
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}oft.com/en/_ajax/record-install-stat.php

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

SSAPI PATTERN File:

1.731.00

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

11 May 2016

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

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

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as PUA_WINTHRUSTER.GB

Step 4

Identify and terminate files detected as PUA_WINTHRUSTER.GB

[ 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 5

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
    • Solvusoft
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • WinThruster_is1
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • Solvusoft

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.
  • %Application Data%\Solvusoft
  • %Common Startup%\FileViewPro
  • %Common Startup%\WinThruster
  • %Program Files%\FileViewPro
  • %Program Files%\WinThruster
  • %System Root%\Spacekace
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp

Step 7

Search and delete these files

[ 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.
  • %System%\Tasks\WinThruster
  • %System%\Tasks\WinThruster_DEFAULT
  • %System%\Tasks\WinThruster_UPDATES
  • %Windows%\Tasks\WinThruster_DEFAULT.job
  • %Windows%\Tasks\WinThruster_UPDATES.job
  • %System%\roboot.exe
  • %Desktop%\FileViewPro.lnk
  • %Desktop%\WinThruster.lnk
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\dyituser_732@www.solvusoft[1].txt

Step 8

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as PUA_WINTHRUSTER.GB. 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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