PUA.Win32.MyWebSearch.MANGCACI

December 13, 2022
 Analysis by: Carlos Villegas Madrid
 ALIASES:

PUA/MyWebSearch.Gen (ANTIVIR)

 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

Infection Channel:

Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware

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.

It does not have any propagation routine.

It does not have any backdoor routine.

It modifies the user's Internet Explorer search page into a certain website. This action allows the malware to point to a website which may contain malware, putting the affected computer at greater risk of malware infection.

It connects to certain websites to send and receive information. It redirects browsers to certain sites.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

376,200 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

28 Nov 2022

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs, Modifies system registry

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 folders:

  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp
  • %AppDataLocal%\FromDocToPDFTooltab

(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).. %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).)

It drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\nsDialogs.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\System.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\FromDocToPDF_msi_bg-copy_1501863369804_1505328127589.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\reporting
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\cancel_blue_1473354968093.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\Install_ENG_1435256864492.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\installerParams
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\FromDocToPDF_msi_bg-copy_1501863398609.bmp
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\{User name}@myway[1].txt
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\{User name}@tb.ask[1].txt
  • %AppDataLocal%\FromDocToPDFTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll

(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).. %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 entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
FromDocToPDFTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
DisplayName = FromDocToPDF Internet Explorer Homepage and New Tab

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
FromDocToPDFTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
Publisher = Mindspark Interactive Network, Inc.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
FromDocToPDFTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
HelpLink = http://support.{BLOCKED}ark.com/

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
FromDocToPDFTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
URLInfoAbout = http://support.{BLOCKED}ark.com/

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FromDocToPDF
UnInstallSurveyUrl = http://@{downloadDomain}.{BLOCKED}l.{BLOCKED}y.com/uninstall.jhtml?surveyUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.research.net%2Fr%2FGBT6YQG%3Fc%3DEBE95E57-AB0A-401E-AA91-2BC22452D083%26ptb%3D^Y6^mni000^ttab02

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Start Page = http://{BLOCKED}p.{BLOCKED}y.com/fromdoctopdf/S24141ie/index.html?n=78871F07&p2=^Y6^mni000^ttab02&ptb=EBE95E57-AB0A-401E-AA91-2BC22452D083&coid={Randomly Generated ID}

Propagation

This Potentially Unwanted Application does not have any propagation routine.

Backdoor Routine

This Potentially Unwanted Application does not have any backdoor routine.

Rootkit Capabilities

This Potentially Unwanted Application does not have rootkit capabilities.

Web Browser Home Page and Search Page Modification

This Potentially Unwanted Application modifies the user's Internet Explorer search engine into the following websites:

  • http://{BLOCKED}p.{BLOCKED}y.com/fromdoctopdf/S24141ie/index.html?n=78871F07&p2=^Y6^mni000^ttab02&ptb=EBE95E57-AB0A-401E-AA91-2BC22452D083&coid={Randomly Generated ID}

Other Details

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FromDocToPDF
Start Page = http://{BLOCKED}p.{BLOCKED}y.com/fromdoctopdf/S24141ie/index.html?n=78871F07&p2=^Y6^mni000^ttab02&ptb=EBE95E57-AB0A-401E-AA91-2BC22452D083&coid={Randomly Generated ID}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
FromDocToPDFTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
UninstallString = Rundll32.exe "%AppDataLocal%\FromDocToPDFTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll" U uninstall:FromDocToPDF

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing
NewTabPageShow = 1

It connects to the following website to send and receive information:

  • http://anx.{BLOCKED}ark.com/anx.gif?anxa=CAPDownloadProcess&anxe=Error&errorCode=-11&errorType=nsisError&errorDetails=File+Not+Found+%28404%29&platform=vicinio&anxv=2.7.1.1000&anxd=2017-10-17&coid={Randomly Generated ID}&refPartner=^Y6^mni000^ttab02&refSub=&anxl=en-US&anxr={Random}&refCobrand=Y6&refCampaign=mni000&refTrack=ttab02&refCountry=
  • http://anx.{BLOCKED}ark.com/anx.gif?anxa=CAPDownloadProcess&anxe=Error&errorCode=-16&errorType=nsisError&errorDetails=&platform=vicinio&anxv=2.7.1.1000&anxd=2017-10-17&coid=&refPartner=^Y6^mni000^ttab02&refSub=&anxl=en-US&anxr={Random}&refCobrand=Y6&refCampaign=mni000&refTrack=ttab02&refCountry=
  • http://anx.{BLOCKED}ark.com/anx.gif?anxa=CAPDownloadProcess&anxe=Error&errorCode=-8&errorType=nsisError&errorDetails=a%2Eexe&platform=vicinio&anxv=2.7.1.1000&anxd=2017-10-17&coid={Randomly Generated ID}&refPartner=^Y6^mni000^ttab02&refSub=&anxl=en-US&anxr={Random}&refCobrand=Y6&refCampaign=mni000&refTrack=ttab02&refCountry=
  • http://anx.{BLOCKED}ark.com/anx.gif?anxa=CAPDownloadProcess&anxe=InstallerFinished&tbUID=EBE95E57-AB0A-401E-AA91-2BC22452D083&tbVer=&platform=vicinio&anxv=2.7.1.1000&anxd=2017-10-17&coid={Randomly Generated ID}&refPartner=^Y6^mni000^ttab02&refSub=&anxl=en-US&anxr={Random}&refCobrand=Y6&refCampaign=mni000&refTrack=ttab02&refCountry=
  • http://anx.{BLOCKED}ark.com/anx.gif?anxa=CAPDownloadProcess&anxe=InstallerInvoked&platform=vicinio&anxv=2.7.1.1000&anxd=2017-10-17&coid={Randomly Generated ID}&refPartner=^Y6^mni000^ttab02&refSub=&anxl=en-US&anxr={Random}&refCobrand=Y6&refCampaign=mni000&refTrack=ttab02&refCountry=
  • https://anx.{BLOCKED}b.{BLOCKED}k.com/anx.gif?anxuu=FCD760EB-1A53-441E-97B1-667E2952077D&anxa=CAPOne&anxv=webtooltab-2.1.1&anxd=-&anxsn=&anxu=http%3A%2F%2Fhp.{BLOCKED}y.com%2Ffromdoctopdf%2FS24141ie%2Findex.html&anxl=en&anxlv=1670859278047&anxrd=none&anxrp=-&anxrk=-&anxrm=-&anxrb=-&anxrc=-&anxrs=-&anxsq=3&anxt=EBE95E57-AB0A-401E-AA91-2BC22452D083&anxp=%5EY6%5Emni000%5Ettab02&anxsi=&buid=9237a5a7-7f58-4f22-8801-b88dff481d2a&pageType=tab&anxtv=webtooltab-2.1.1&fParameter=00000050&coid={Randomly Generated ID}&productData=%7B%22pageLoad%22%3A1%7D&anxe=ToolbarConfig&anxr=1313936998
  • https://anx.{BLOCKED}b.{BLOCKED}k.com/anx.gif?anxuu=FCD760EB-1A53-441E-97B1-667E2952077D&anxa=CAPSearch&anxv=webtooltab-2.1.1&anxd=-&anxsn=&anxu=http%3A%2F%2Fhp.{BLOCKED}y.com%2Ffromdoctopdf%2FS24141ie%2Findex.html&anxl=en&anxlv=1670859278062&anxrd=none&anxrp=-&anxrk=-&anxrm=-&anxrb=-&anxrc=-&anxrs=-&anxsq=5&anxt=EBE95E57-AB0A-401E-AA91-2BC22452D083&anxp=%5EY6%5Emni000%5Ettab02&anxsi=&buid=9237a5a7-7f58-4f22-8801-b88dff481d2a&pageType=tab&productData=%7B%22pageLoad%22%3A1%7D&anxe=TabPageView&anxr=1515720536
  • https://anx.{BLOCKED}b.{BLOCKED}k.com/anx.gif?anxuu=FCD760EB-1A53-441E-97B1-667E2952077D&anxa=WebTooltab&anxv=webtooltab-2.1.1&anxd=-&anxsn=&anxu=http%3A%2F%2Fhp.{BLOCKED}y.com%2Ffromdoctopdf%2FS24141ie%2Findex.html&anxl=en&anxlv=0&anxrd=none&anxrp=-&anxrk=-&anxrm=-&anxrb=-&anxrc=-&anxrs=-&anxsq=2&anxt=EBE95E57-AB0A-401E-AA91-2BC22452D083&anxp=%5EY6%5Emni000%5Ettab02&anxsi=&buid=9237a5a7-7f58-4f22-8801-b88dff481d2a&pageType=tab&productData=%7B%22coid%22%3A%22{Randomly Generated ID}%22%2C%22pageLoad%22%3A1%7D&anxe=Heartbeat&anxr=282405575
  • https://anx.{BLOCKED}b.{BLOCKED}k.com/anx.gif?anxuu=FCD760EB-1A53-441E-97B1-667E2952077D&anxa=WebTooltab&anxv=webtooltab-2.1.1&anxd=-&anxsn=&anxu=http%3A%2F%2Fhp.{BLOCKED}y.com%2Ffromdoctopdf%2FS24141ie%2Findex.html&anxl=en&anxlv=1670859278062&anxrd=none&anxrp=-&anxrk=-&anxrm=-&anxrb=-&anxrc=-&anxrs=-&anxsq=4&anxt=EBE95E57-AB0A-401E-AA91-2BC22452D083&anxp=%5EY6%5Emni000%5Ettab02&anxsi=&buid=9237a5a7-7f58-4f22-8801-b88dff481d2a&pageType=tab&kpi=pageView&productData=%7B%22queryString%22%3A%7B%22n%22%3A%2278871F07%22%2C%22coid%22%3A%22{Randomly Generated ID}%22%2C%22dpr%22%3A%22%22%2C%22pixelUrl%22%3A%22%22%2C%22trs%22%3A%22wtt%22%2C%22cwsid%22%3A%22%22%7D%2C%22innerWidth%22%3A788%2C%22innerHeight%22%3A420%2C%22userFontSize%22%3A16%2C%22pageLoad%22%3A1%7D&anxe=PageView&anxr=806154068
  • https://dp.{BLOCKED}b.{BLOCKED}k.com/installerParams.jhtml?coId={Randomly Generated ID}

It redirects browsers to the following sites:

  • http://hp.{BLOCKED}y.com/fromdoctopdf/S24141ie/index.html?n=78871F07&p2=^Y6^mni000^ttab02&ptb=EBE95E57-AB0A-401E-AA91-2BC22452D083&coid={Randomly Generated ID}

It does the following:

  • It does the following:
    • It displays the following upon execution:

It does not exploit any vulnerability.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

SSAPI PATTERN File:

2.577.00

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

15 Dec 2022

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

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 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\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\FromDocToPDFTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
    • DisplayName = FromDocToPDF Internet Explorer Homepage and New Tab
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\FromDocToPDFTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
    • Publisher = Mindspark Interactive Network, Inc.
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\FromDocToPDFTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
    • HelpLink = http://support.mindspark.com/
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\FromDocToPDFTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
    • URLInfoAbout = http://support.mindspark.com/
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FromDocToPDF
    • UnInstallSurveyUrl = http://@{downloadDomain}.dl.myway.com/uninstall.jhtml?surveyUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.research.net%2Fr%2FGBT6YQG%3Fc%3DEBE95E57-AB0A-401E-AA91-2BC22452D083%26ptb%3D^Y6^mni000^ttab02
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
    • Start Page = http://hp.myway.com/fromdoctopdf/S24141ie/index.html?n=78871F07&p2=^Y6^mni000^ttab02&ptb=EBE95E57-AB0A-401E-AA91-2BC22452D083&coid={Randomly Generated ID}

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\FromDocToPDF
    • Start Page = http://hp.myway.com/fromdoctopdf/S24141ie/index.html?n=78871F07&p2=^Y6^mni000^ttab02&ptb=EBE95E57-AB0A-401E-AA91-2BC22452D083&coid={Randomly Generated ID}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\FromDocToPDFTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
    • UninstallString = Rundll32.exe %AppDataLocal%\FromDocToPDFTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll U uninstall:FromDocToPDF
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing
    • NewTabPageShow = 1

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.
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\nsDialogs.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\System.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\FromDocToPDF_msi_bg-copy_1501863369804_1505328127589.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\reporting
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\cancel_blue_1473354968093.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\Install_ENG_1435256864492.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\installerParams
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp\FromDocToPDF_msi_bg-copy_1501863398609.bmp
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\{User name}@myway[1].txt
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\{User name}@tb.ask[1].txt
  • %AppDataLocal%\FromDocToPDFTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll

Step 6

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.
  • %User Temp%\ns{Random}.tmp
  • %AppDataLocal%\FromDocToPDFTooltab

Step 7

Reset the Internet Explorer Home and Search pages

[ Learn More ]

Step 8

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as PUA.Win32.MyWebSearch.MANGCACI. 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:


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