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PUA.Win32.UTCTimer.A

January 14, 2020
 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 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:

755,702 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

14 Jan 2020

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 adds the following processes:

  • "%User Temp%\is-EGNSA.tmp\bfcb98829517bd189ff9f2561062da2a5f28e06b.tmp" /SL5="$4010E,364992,121344,{malware file path and name}"
  • "%User Temp%\is-LQNKF.tmp\7za.exe" x "%User Temp%\is-LQNKF.tmp\sub.res" -p"b1lig@n_vl"
  • "%User Temp%\is-LQNKF.tmp\7za.exe" x "%User Temp%\is-LQNKF.tmp\form.res" -p"b1lig@n_vl"
  • "%User Temp%\is-LQNKF.tmp\7za.exe" x "%User Temp%\is-LQNKF.tmp\misc.res" -p"b1lig@n_vl"
  • "%Application Data%\UtcTimer\utc.exe" -cr -tu 5
  • "explorer.exe" "%Desktop%\SUPERPOSITION Benchmark 1.1"
  • "%System%\schtasks.exe" /Delete /tn "Microsoft\Windows\Time Synchronization\ViewUtcTime" /f
  • "%System%\schtasks.exe" /Create /f /XML "%Application Data%\UtcTimer\data.xml" /tn "Microsoft\Windows\Time Synchronization\ViewUtcTime"
  • %Windows%\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\mscorsvw.exe
  • %System%\sppsvc.exe
  • "%System Root%\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe"
  • %System%\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceAndNoImpersonation
  • %System%\svchost.exe -k WerSvcGroup
  • taskhost.exe $(Arg0)
  • fsquirt.exe -Register
  • %System%\WerFault.exe -u -p 1044 -s 192
  • %System%\WerFault.exe -u -p 1588 -s 296
  • %System%\WerFault.exe -u -p 1044 -s 188
  • %System%\WerFault.exe -u -p 1044 -s 196
  • %System%\WerFault.exe -u -p 2600 -s 1288
  • %System%\WerFault.exe -u -p 1580 -s 212

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %Desktop% is the current user's desktop, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Desktop on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.. %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.. %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %Application Data%\UtcTimer
  • %User Temp%\{03FB75C1-6E31-4E3B-9ACB-A7B2CF36DA4C}
  • %Windows%\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Local\Microsoft
  • %User Temp%\is-LQNKF.tmp\_isetup
  • %User Temp%\WPDNSE
  • %Desktop%\SUPERPOSITION Benchmark 1.1
  • %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Windows\Burn\Burn

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.. %Desktop% is the current user's desktop, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Desktop on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %AppDataLocal% is the Local Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

Other System Modifications

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
CD Burning\Drives\Volume{{GUID}}\
Current Media

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\HomeGroup\
UIStatusCache

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000
Owner = "\xa4\x08\x00\x00o\x97M{\x95h\xd5\x01"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000
SessionHash = "{random characters}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000
Sequence = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
CD Burning\Drives\Volume{{GUID}}
Drive Type = "16"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
CD Burning\Drives\Volume{{GUID}}
IsImapiDataBurnSupported = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
CD Burning\StagingInfo\Volume{{GUID}}
DriveNumber = "3"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
CD Burning\StagingInfo\Volume{{GUID}}
StagingPath = "%AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Windows\Burn\Burn"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
CD Burning\StagingInfo\Volume{{GUID}}
Active = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\HomeGroup\
UIStatusCache
UIStatus = "560"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\HomeGroup\
UIStatusCache
OnlyMember = "0"

It deletes the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000\Sequence

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000\SessionHash

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000\Owner

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
services\NlaSvc\Parameters\
Internet\ManualProxies\(Default)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
CD Burning\StagingInfo\Volume{{GUID}}\
DriveNumber

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
CD Burning\CD Recorder Drive

Dropping Routine

This Potentially Unwanted Application drops the following files:

  • %Application Data%\UtcTimer\utc.exe.config
  • %Application Data%\UtcTimer\utc.exe
  • %User Temp%\is-LQNKF.tmp\7za.exe
  • %User Temp%\{03FB75C1-6E31-4E3B-9ACB-A7B2CF36DA4C}\license.txt
  • %User Temp%\is-LQNKF.tmp\misc.xml
  • %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Media Player\CurrentDatabase_372.wmdb
  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr0.dat
  • %User Temp%\is-LQNKF.tmp\misc.res
  • %User Temp%\is-LQNKF.tmp\form.res
  • %User Temp%\is-LQNKF.tmp\form.exe
  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Windows\DRM\drmstore.hds
  • %Application Data%\UtcTimer\data
  • %User Temp%\is-LQNKF.tmp\sub.res
  • %User Temp%\is-LQNKF.tmp\sub.xml
  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr1.dat
  • %Desktop%\SUPERPOSITION Benchmark 1.1\license.txt
  • %Application Data%\UtcTimer\data.xml
  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Windows\DRM\v3ks.sec

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %AppDataLocal% is the Local Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %All Users Profile% is the common user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\ProgramData on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit). . %Desktop% is the current user's desktop, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Desktop on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.

Step 2

Identify and terminate files detected as PUA.Win32.UTCTimer.A

[ 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 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\Microsoft\RestartManager
    • Session0000
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CD Burning\Drives\Volume{{GUID}}
    • Current Media
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\HomeGroup
    • UIStatusCache

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\RestartManager\Session0000
    • Owner = "\xa4\x08\x00\x00o\x97M{\x95h\xd5\x01"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • SessionHash = "{random characters}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • Sequence = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CD Burning\Drives\Volume{{GUID}}
    • Drive Type = "16"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CD Burning\Drives\Volume{{GUID}}
    • IsImapiDataBurnSupported = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CD Burning\StagingInfo\Volume{{GUID}}
    • DriveNumber = "3"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CD Burning\StagingInfo\Volume{{GUID}}
    • StagingPath = "%AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Windows\Burn\Burn"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CD Burning\StagingInfo\Volume{{GUID}}
    • Active = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\HomeGroup\UIStatusCache
    • UIStatus = "560"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\HomeGroup\UIStatusCache
    • OnlyMember = "0"

Step 5

Search and delete these components

[ Learn More ]
There may be some components 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%\UtcTimer\utc.exe.config
  • %Application Data%\UtcTimer\utc.exe
  • %User Temp%\is-LQNKF.tmp\7za.exe
  • %User Temp%\{03FB75C1-6E31-4E3B-9ACB-A7B2CF36DA4C}\license.txt
  • %User Temp%\is-LQNKF.tmp\misc.xml
  • %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Media Player\CurrentDatabase_372.wmdb
  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr0.dat
  • %User Temp%\is-LQNKF.tmp\misc.res
  • %User Temp%\is-LQNKF.tmp\form.res
  • %User Temp%\is-LQNKF.tmp\form.exe
  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Windows\DRM\drmstore.hds
  • %Application Data%\UtcTimer\data
  • %User Temp%\is-LQNKF.tmp\sub.res
  • %User Temp%\is-LQNKF.tmp\sub.xml
  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr1.dat
  • %Desktop%\SUPERPOSITION Benchmark 1.1\license.txt
  • %Application Data%\UtcTimer\data.xml
  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Windows\DRM\v3ks.sec

Step 6

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.
  • %Application Data%\UtcTimer
  • %User Temp%\{03FB75C1-6E31-4E3B-9ACB-A7B2CF36DA4C}
  • %Windows%\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Local\Microsoft
  • %User Temp%\is-LQNKF.tmp\_isetup
  • %User Temp%\WPDNSE
  • %Desktop%\SUPERPOSITION Benchmark 1.1
  • %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Windows\Burn\Burn

Step 7

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as PUA.Win32.UTCTimer.A. 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 the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:

Step 8

Restore these deleted registry keys/values from backup

*Note: Only Microsoft-related keys/values will be restored. If the malware/grayware also deleted registry keys/values related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on your computer.

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • Sequence
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • SessionHash
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • Owner
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\NlaSvc\Parameters\Internet\ManualProxies
    • (Default)
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CD Burning\StagingInfo\Volume{{GUID}}
    • DriveNumber
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CD Burning
    • CD Recorder Drive


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