ADW_SOFTPULSE
a variant of Win32/SoftPulse.G (ESET-NOD32); DomainIQ pay-per install (Sophos); Artemis!64B57506EC95 (McAfee)
Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)
Threat Type: Adware
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted:
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware
This adware 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
1,205,640 bytes
EXE
No
14 Jun 2014
Connects to URLs/IPs, Downloads files
Arrival Details
This adware 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.
Download Routine
This adware accesses the following websites to download files:
- http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}tsnet.com/catch/all/setup.exe
- http://{BLOCKED}s.mxp{version}.com/{value}/NewVideoPlayerSetup.exe
It saves the files it downloads using the following names:
- %User Temp%\{pseudorandom number}tmp\setup.exe
- %User Temp%\{pseudorandom number}tmp\newvideoplayersetup.exe
(Note: %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.)
Adware Routine
This adware connects to the following URL(s) to display ads on the affected system:
- http://www.{BLOCKED}t-install.com/BesH3gE9/pop-up/
- http://www.{BLOCKED}t-install.com/XFNExvxA/dec01/mpa/
NOTES:
This adware downloads and install applications.
It is an installer package for New Player application.
This adware connects to the following URL to get the data it will display on its installer:
- http://{BLOCKED}.mxp{version}.com/{random value}
It displays following installation windows and EULAs of the software:
It asks user if it would like to install the following additional applications:
- SpeedUpMyPc
- Optimizer Pro
- IstartSurf
- Costmin
- findopolis
- Webssearches
It displays the following installation options:
It will download and execute the said application setups.
After installation, it will display ads in browser and display this window.
SOLUTION
9.700
1.530.43
24 Jul 2014
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
Search and delete this file
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%\{pseudorandom number}tmp\setup.exe
- %User Temp%\{pseudorandom number}tmp\newvideoplayersetup.exe
Step 4
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as ADW_SOFTPULSE. 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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