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ADW_WHENU.GA

September 05, 2017
 Analysis by: John Anthony Banes
 ALIASES:

Win32:Whenu-H (AVG); Adware.Vomba (MalwareBytes); AdVantage (Sophos)

 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. It may be manually installed by a user.

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

1,920,968 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

04 Aug 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.

It may be manually installed by a user.

Installation

This Adware adds the following folders:

  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Lang
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Icons
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Plugins
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Plugins\Images
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\URL1
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\DAEMON Tools
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp

(Note: %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.. %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:

  • %Desktop%\DAEMON Tools.lnk
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\AdVantageSetup.exe
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\chkupd.exe
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\cryptapi.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\daemon.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\daemon.exe
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Icons\tray1.ico
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Icons\tray2.ico
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Lang\ENU.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\pfctoc.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Plugins\Images\bw5mount.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Plugins\Images\bwtmount.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Plugins\Images\ccdmount.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Plugins\Images\cuemount.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Plugins\Images\iszmount.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Plugins\Images\mdsmount.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Plugins\Images\nrgmount.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Plugins\Images\pdimount.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Plugins\Images\pfcmount.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\setup.cfg
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\uninst.exe
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\URL1\setup.cfg
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\DAEMON Tools\DAEMON Tools.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\DAEMON Tools\Uninstall.lnk
  • %System%\drivers\sptd.sys
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\dtsetup.ini
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\HomePage.ini
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\InstallOptions.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\modern-header.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\modern-wizard.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\RegPage.ini
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\setuphlp.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\StartPage.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\InstallOptionsEx.dll
  • %User Temp%\SPTDinst-x86.exe

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

Other System Modifications

This Adware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE19659239224e364682fa4baf72c53ea4

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\19659239224e364682fa4baf72c53ea4
r = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\19659239224e364682fa4baf72c53ea4
s = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\19659239224e364682fa4baf72c53ea4
HP = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\19659239224e364682fa4baf72c53ea4
SP = "2"

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\
Internet Explorer\Main
Start Page = "http://my.{BLOCKED}search.com/startpage"

Other Details

This Adware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://downloads.{BLOCKED}a.com/DAEM071127/setup.cfg
  • http://app.{BLOCKED}a.com/AppInstall?app=Setup_CFG&url=DAEM071127&id={hex values}&ui=QC&ver={setup version}&svr={OS version}

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

SSAPI PATTERN File:

1.863.00

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

10 Aug 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

Remove ADW_WHENU.GA by using its own Uninstall option

[ Learn More ]
To uninstall the grayware process

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\19659239224e364682fa4baf72c53ea4
    • r = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\19659239224e364682fa4baf72c53ea4
    • s = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\19659239224e364682fa4baf72c53ea4
    • HP = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\19659239224e364682fa4baf72c53ea4
    • SP = "2"

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
    • 19659239224e364682fa4baf72c53ea4

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.
  • %Desktop%\DAEMON Tools.lnk
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\AdVantageSetup.exe
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\chkupd.exe
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\cryptapi.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\daemon.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\daemon.exe
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Icons\tray1.ico
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Icons\tray2.ico
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Lang\ENU.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\pfctoc.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Plugins\Images\bw5mount.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Plugins\Images\bwtmount.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Plugins\Images\ccdmount.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Plugins\Images\cuemount.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Plugins\Images\iszmount.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Plugins\Images\mdsmount.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Plugins\Images\nrgmount.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Plugins\Images\pdimount.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Plugins\Images\pfcmount.dll
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\setup.cfg
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\uninst.exe
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\URL1\setup.cfg
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\DAEMON Tools\DAEMON Tools.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\DAEMON Tools\Uninstall.lnk
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\dtsetup.ini
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\HomePage.ini
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\InstallOptions.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\modern-header.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\modern-wizard.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\RegPage.ini
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\setuphlp.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\StartPage.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\InstallOptionsEx.dll
  • %User Temp%\SPTDinst-x86.exe

Step 7

Search and delete this folder

[ 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.
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Lang
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Icons
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Plugins
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\Plugins\Images
  • %Program Files%\DAEMON Tools\URL1
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\DAEMON Tools
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp

Step 8

Reset the Internet Explorer Home and Search pages

[ Learn More ]

Step 9

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


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