ADW_GABPATH

 Modified by: Karl Dominguez

 ALIASES:

MICROSOFT : Adware:Win32/Gabpath ; KASPERSKY : Trojan-Downloader.Win32.Adload.aeso

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Adware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This adware may be downloaded by other malware/grayware/spyware from remote sites. It may be downloaded by other malware/grayware from remote sites. It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

It displays pop-up advertisements.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

598,016 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

07 May 2011

Payload:

Drops files, Displays windows, Modifies system registry

Arrival Details

This adware may be downloaded by other malware/grayware/spyware from remote sites.

It may be downloaded by the following malware/grayware from remote sites:

  • TROJ_DLOADR.GAB

It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

Installation

This adware drops the following files:

  • %Program Files%\Mozilla\.autoreg
  • %Program Files%\Mozilla\components\gpff.dll

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.)

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
GabPath = {malware path and file name}

Other System Modifications

This adware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\GabPath

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\GabPath
{random characters} = {random hex values}

Adware Routine

This adware displays pop-up advertisements.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

8.900

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

1.176.14

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

07 May 2011

Step 1

For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.

Step 2

Remove malware files dropped/downloaded by ADW_GABPATH

    TROJ_DLOADR.GAB

Step 3

Identify and terminate files detected as ADW_GABPATH

[ Learn More ]
  1. 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.
  2. 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 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
    • GabPath = {malware path and file name}.exe

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_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • GabPath

Step 6

Search and delete this file

[ 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.

%Program Files%\Mozilla\.autoreg
%Program Files%\Mozilla\components\gpff.dll

Step 7

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