ADW_INSTACORE.GE

January 30, 2017
 Analysis by: Pearl Charlaine Espejo
 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Adware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

799,120 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

10 Jan 2017

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.

Installation

This adware drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\{random}.log
  • %User Temp%\7.1031530823134625_Update.exe
  • %User Temp%\ICReinstall_ICReinstall_FileOpenerSetup.exe
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\52614A36_stp.EXE
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\52614A36_stp.EXE.part
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\css\ie6_main.css
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\css\main.css
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\css\sdk-ui\browse.css
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\css\sdk-ui\button.css
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\css\sdk-ui\checkbox.css
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\css\sdk-ui\images\button-bg.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\css\sdk-ui\images\progress-bg-corner.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\css\sdk-ui\images\progress-bg.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\css\sdk-ui\images\progress-bg2.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\css\sdk-ui\progress-bar.css
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\csshover3.htc
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\dat\upd.DAT
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\form.bmp.Mask
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\images\Close.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\images\Close_Hover.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\images\Color_Button.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\images\Color_Button_Hover.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\images\Grey_Button.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\images\Grey_Button_Hover.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\images\Loader.gif
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\images\Logo.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\images\Progress.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\images\ProgressBar.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\images\text-bg.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\locale\DE.locale
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\locale\EN.locale
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\locale\ES.locale
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\locale\FR.locale
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\locale\IT.locale
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\locale\PL.locale
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\locale\PT.locale
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\locale\RU.locale
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\locale\UA.locale
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\bootstrap_32553.html
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\css\ie6_main.css
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\css\main.css
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\css\sdk-ui\browse.css
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\css\sdk-ui\button.css
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\css\sdk-ui\checkbox.css
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\css\sdk-ui\images\button-bg.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\css\sdk-ui\images\progress-bg-corner.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\css\sdk-ui\images\progress-bg.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\css\sdk-ui\images\progress-bg2.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\css\sdk-ui\progress-bar.css
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\csshover3.htc
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\dat\upd.DAT
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\form.bmp.Mask
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\images\Close.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\images\Close_Hover.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\images\Color_Button.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\images\Color_Button_Hover.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\images\Grey_Button.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\images\Grey_Button_Hover.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\images\Loader.gif
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\images\Logo.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\images\Progress.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\images\ProgressBar.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\images\text-bg.png
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\locale\DE.locale
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\locale\EN.locale
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\locale\ES.locale
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\locale\FR.locale
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\locale\IT.locale
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\locale\PL.locale
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\locale\PT.locale
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\locale\RU.locale
  • %User Temp%\is{random}\locale\UA.locale
  • %Desktop%\Continue File Opener Installation.lnk
  • %Program Files%\Tweaks\FileOpener\7z.dll
  • %Program Files%\Tweaks\FileOpener\fileopener.exe
  • %Program Files%\Tweaks\FileOpener\uninstall.exe
  • %Program Files%\is{random}.log
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\FileOpener\FileOpener.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\FileOpener\uninstall.lnk
  • %Desktop%\FileOpener.lnk

(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.. %Desktop% is the desktop folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Desktop in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop in 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.. %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.. %Start Menu% is the Start Menu folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu 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 creates the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\is{random}
  • %Program Files%\Tweaks
  • %Program Files%\Tweaks\FileOpener
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\FileOpener

(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.. %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.. %Start Menu% is the Start Menu folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu 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.)

Other System Modifications

This adware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Tweaks FileOpener

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Tweaks FileOpener
DisplayName = "FileOpener"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Tweaks FileOpener
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\Tweaks\FileOpener\uninstall.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Tweaks FileOpener
QuietUninstallString = ""%Program Files%\Tweaks\FileOpener\uninstall.exe" /S"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Tweaks FileOpener
InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\Tweaks\FileOpener"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Tweaks FileOpener
DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\Tweaks\FileOpener\fileopener.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Tweaks FileOpener
Publisher = "Tweaks"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Tweaks FileOpener
HelpLink = "http://free-file-opener.com/uninstall.html"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Tweaks FileOpener
URLUpdateInfo = "http://free-file-opener"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Tweaks FileOpener
URLInfoAbout = "http://free-file-opener"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Tweaks FileOpener
NoModify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Tweaks FileOpener
NoRepair = "1"

Other Details

This adware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://os.{BLOCKED}efileopen.com/CM_DS/?v={value}&c={value}
  • http://os2.{BLOCKED}efileopen.com/CM_DS/?v={value}&c={value}
  • http://rp.{BLOCKED}deoconverter.com/?pcrc={value}&v={value}
  • http://rp.{BLOCKED}efileopen.com/?pcrc={value}&v={value}
  • http://s3.{BLOCKED}aws.com/Tweaks/distros/FileOpenerSetupG.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}efileopen.com/file-opener/welcome/oc/?iv=0

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

SSAPI PATTERN File:

1.805.00

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

26 Jan 2017

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

Identify and terminate files detected as ADW_INSTACORE.GE

[ 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 4

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\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • Tweaks FileOpener

Step 5

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.
  • %User Temp%\is{random}
  • %Program Files%\Tweaks
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\FileOpener

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%\{random}.log
  • %User Temp%\ICReinstall_ICReinstall_FileOpenerSetup.exe
  • %Desktop%\Continue File Opener Installation.lnk
  • %Program Files%\is{random}.log
  • %Desktop%\FileOpener.lnk

Step 7

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