ADW_POPUPER

September 07, 2013
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

1,192,496 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

20 Aug 2013

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 creates the following folders:

  • %System Root%\DOCUME~1
  • %System Root%\DOCUME~1\Wilbert
  • %User Profile%\LOCALS~1
  • %User Temp%\nsx5.tmp
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\data
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\skins
  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\Wilbert
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\duoxiu
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\Data
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\¶àÐãÊÓƵ
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\SOFT
  • %User Profile%\My Documents\InternetDownload
  • %User Profile%\InternetDownload\Download

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.. %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (64-bit).. %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu on Windows Vista and 7.)

Autostart Technique

This adware adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
dxabb = "%Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\Rshowpp.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
dxshipin = "%Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\Duoshow.exe -hide"

Other System Modifications

This adware deletes the following files:

  • %User Temp%\nsh1.tmp
  • %User Temp%\nsx5.tmp

(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, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.)

It adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
duoxiu

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\duoxiu\
Union

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
duoxiu
purl = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\duoxiu\
Union
cid = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\duoxiu\
Union
pid = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\duoxiu\
Union
mac = "00-50-56-9f-6c-65"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
duoxiu
DisplayName = "¶àÐãÊÓƵ 1.0.2.0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
duoxiu
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\Unins.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
duoxiu
DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\Unins.exe"

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
duoxiu
DisplayVersion = "1.0.2.0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
duoxiu
SystemComponent = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\duoxiu\
Union
count = "3"

Dropping Routine

This adware drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\nsi3.tmp
  • %User Temp%\nsx5.tmp\System.dll
  • %User Temp%\nsx5.tmp\bindplugin.ini
  • %User Temp%\nsx5.tmp\NotifyIcon.dll
  • %User Temp%\nsx5.tmp\inetc.dll
  • %User Temp%\nsx5.tmp\KillProcDLL.dll
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\Duoshow.exe
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\Guest.db
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\chat.xml
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\config.db
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\config2.ini
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\duoshowui.dll
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\lobby.ini
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\rshowpp.exe
  • %User Profile%\duoxiu\Ãâ·ÑµçÓ°.ico
  • %User Profile%\duoxiu\ÌÔ±¦·µÀûÍø.ico
  • %User Profile%\duoxiu\ÌÔ±¦ÌØÂô.ico
  • %Desktop%\Internet Hao123.lnk
  • %Desktop%\¶àÐãÊÓƵ.lnk
  • %Desktop%\ÌÔ±¦ÌØÂô.lnk
  • %Desktop%\Ãâ·ÑµçÓ°.lnk
  • %User Profile%\Quick Launch\¶àÐãÊÓƵ.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\¶àÐãÊÓƵ\¶àÐãÊÓƵ.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\¶àÐãÊÓƵ\жÔØ.lnk
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\Unins.exe
  • %User Temp%\nsx5.tmp\NsDialogs.dll
  • %User Temp%\nsx5.tmp\duoxiu.dll
  • %User Temp%\nsd2B.tmp
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\SOFT
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\config.ini

(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, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (64-bit).. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.. %Desktop% is the current user's desktop, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Desktop on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop on Windows Vista and 7.. %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu on Windows Vista and 7.)

Other Details

This adware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://kb.{BLOCKED}f.net/kb.ashx?par=2_0_0&safe=0&type=1
  • http://kb.{BLOCKED}f.net/Aztongji.aspx?{random characters}
  • http://u.{BLOCKED}w.com/du/config.txt

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • duoxiu
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\duoxiu
    • Union

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\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • dxabb = "%Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\Rshowpp.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • dxshipin = "%Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\Duoshow.exe -hide"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\duoxiu
    • purl = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\duoxiu\Union
    • cid = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\duoxiu\Union
    • pid = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\duoxiu\Union
    • mac = "00-50-56-9f-6c-65"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\duoxiu
    • DisplayName = "¶àÐãÊÓƵ 1.0.2.0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\duoxiu
    • UninstallString = "%Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\Unins.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\duoxiu
    • DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\Unins.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\duoxiu
    • InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\duoxiu"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\duoxiu
    • DisplayVersion = "1.0.2.0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\duoxiu
    • SystemComponent = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\duoxiu\Union
    • count = "3"

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.
  • %User Temp%\nsi3.tmp
  • %User Temp%\nsx5.tmp\System.dll
  • %User Temp%\nsx5.tmp\bindplugin.ini
  • %User Temp%\nsx5.tmp\NotifyIcon.dll
  • %User Temp%\nsx5.tmp\inetc.dll
  • %User Temp%\nsx5.tmp\KillProcDLL.dll
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\Duoshow.exe
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\Guest.db
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\chat.xml
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\config.db
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\config2.ini
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\duoshowui.dll
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\lobby.ini
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\rshowpp.exe
  • %User Profile%\duoxiu\Ãâ·ÑµçÓ°.ico
  • %User Profile%\duoxiu\ÌÔ±¦·µÀûÍø.ico
  • %User Profile%\duoxiu\ÌÔ±¦ÌØÂô.ico
  • %Desktop%\Internet Hao123.lnk
  • %Desktop%\¶àÐãÊÓƵ.lnk
  • %Desktop%\ÌÔ±¦ÌØÂô.lnk
  • %Desktop%\Ãâ·ÑµçÓ°.lnk
  • %User Profile%\Quick Launch\¶àÐãÊÓƵ.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\¶àÐãÊÓƵ\¶àÐãÊÓƵ.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\¶àÐãÊÓƵ\жÔØ.lnk
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\Unins.exe
  • %User Temp%\nsx5.tmp\NsDialogs.dll
  • %User Temp%\nsx5.tmp\duoxiu.dll
  • %User Temp%\nsd2B.tmp
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\SOFT
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\config.ini

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.
  • %System Root%\DOCUME~1
  • %System Root%\DOCUME~1\Wilbert
  • %User Profile%\LOCALS~1
  • %User Temp%\nsx5.tmp
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\data
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\skins
  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\Wilbert
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\duoxiu
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\Data
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\¶àÐãÊÓƵ
  • %Program Files%\duoxiu\84632\SOFT
  • %User Profile%\My Documents\InternetDownload
  • %User Profile%\InternetDownload\Download

Step 7

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as ADW_POPUPER. 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.

Step 8

Restore this file from backup only Microsoft-related files will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted files related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on you computer again.

  • %User Temp%\nsh1.tmp
  • %User Temp%\nsx5.tmp


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