PUA_BROWSEFOX.GA


 ALIASES:

Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.BA 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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

365,400 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

20 Sep 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.

Installation

This potentially unwanted application drops the following files:

  • %Application Data%\MyTransitGuideTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random}.tmp\secondary_bg.png
  • %User Temp%\{random}.tmp\secondary_accept.png
  • %User Temp%\{random}.tmp\secondary_decline.png

(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.. %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 adds the following processes:

  • Rundll32.exe "%Application Data%\MyTransitGuideTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll",A http://hp.{BLOCKED}y.com/mytransitguide/s17154/index.html
  • %ProgramData%\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe"http://free.{BLOCKED}sitguide.com/successRedirect.jhtml?source=msni&successUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fhp%2Emyway%2Ecom%2Fmytransitguide%2Fs17154%2Findex%2Ehtml%3Fn%{value}%26p2%3D{value}%26ptb%3D{value}&pixelUrl=&coId={value}

Other System Modifications

This potentially unwanted application adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MyTransitGuide

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Microsoft\Windows\
CurrentVersion\Uninstall\MyTransitGuideTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MyTransitGuide
Start Page = http://hp.{BLOCKED}y.com/mytransitguide/s17154/index.html?n={value}&p2={value}&ptb={value}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Start Page = http://hp.{BLOCKED}y.com/mytransitguide/s17154/index.html?n={value}&p2={value}&ptb={value}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
MyTransitGuideTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
DisplayName = MyTransitGuide Internet Explorer Homepage and New Tab

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
MyTransitGuideTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
UninstallString = Rundll32.exe "%Application Data%\MyTransitGuideTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll" U uninstall:MyTransitGuide

Other Details

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

  • http://hp.{BLOCKED}y.com/mytransitguide/s17154/assets/3c99c361f74b059def8f/app.js

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

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

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
    • MyTransitGuide
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • MyTransitGuideTooltab 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\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
    • Start Page = http://hp.myway.com/mytransitguide/s17154/index.html?n={value}&p2={value}&ptb={value};

Step 5

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.
  • %Application Data%\MyTransitGuideTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random}.tmp\secondary_bg.png
  • %User Temp%\{random}.tmp\secondary_accept.png
  • %User Temp%\{random}.tmp\secondary_decline.png

Step 6

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


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.