PUA_PCOPTIMIZERPRO.GB

February 22, 2018
 Analysis by: Byron Jon Gelera
 ALIASES:

Win32.Application.PCUtilOptimizerPro.C (GData)

 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:

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 may be manually installed by a user.

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

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

5,184,280 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

22 Feb 2018

Payload:

Drops files, Connects to URLs/IPs

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.

It may be manually installed by a user.

Installation

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following folders:

  • %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Optimizer Pro v3.2
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro

(Note: %ProgramData% is the Program Data folder, where it usually is C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\ProgramData 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.)

It drops the following files:

  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\unins000.dat
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\unins000.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptimizerPro.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\sqlite3.dll
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\scan.gif
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProStart.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProReminder.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProSmartScan.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProGuard.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProSchedule.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProLauncher.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProUninstaller.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\Japanese.ini
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptimizerPro.chm
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\file_id.diz
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\HomePage.url
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProCrash.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProCrash.dll
  • %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp\OptProCrash.dll
  • %Desktop%\Optimizer Pro.lnk
  • %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Optimizer Pro.lnk
  • %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Help.lnk
  • %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Optimizer Pro on the Web.lnk
  • %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Optimizer Pro をアンインストールする.lnk

(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.. %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.. %ProgramData% is the Program Data folder, where it usually is C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\ProgramData 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.)

Other System Modifications

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro_is1

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Optimizer Pro = "%Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProLauncher.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro_is1
Inno Setup: Setup Version = "5.5.3 (u)"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro_is1
Inno Setup: App Path = "%Program Files%\Optimizer Pro"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro_is1
InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro_is1
Inno Setup: Icon Group = "Optimizer Pro v3.2"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro_is1
Inno Setup: User = "{user profile}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro_is1
Inno Setup: Selected Tasks = "desktopicon"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro_is1
Inno Setup: Deselected Tasks = ""

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro_is1
Inno Setup: Language = "jp"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro_is1
DisplayName = "Optimizer Pro v3.2"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro_is1
DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProLauncher.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro_is1
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\unins000.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro_is1
QuietUninstallString = ""%Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\unins000.exe" /SILENT"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro_is1
Publisher = "PC Utilities Software Limited"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro_is1
URLInfoAbout = "http://www.pcutilitiespro.com"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro_is1
HelpLink = "http://www.pcutilitiespro.com"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro_is1
URLUpdateInfo = "http://www.pcutilitiespro.com"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro_is1
NoModify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro_is1
NoRepair = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro_is1
InstallDate = "{date}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro_is1
EstimatedSize = "30105"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
Language = "20"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
InstallDate = "{hex value}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
AppStart = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
DisplayName = "Optimizer Pro"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
Version = "3.2"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
AppStart = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
LastVersionChecking = "{hex value}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
LogDir = "%Application Data%\Optimizer Pro\Log"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
UndoDir = "%Application Data%\Optimizer Pro\Undo"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
ItemsToScan = "1111111111"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
UseExceptionList = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
ShowRebootMessage = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
SpeedGuard = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
s_SmartScan = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
s_Enable = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
s_Time = "{hex value}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
s_SmartMode = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
BuyNowURL = ""

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
UpgradeID = "BZDV_PCSM_JP_PCUP_OPTIMIZERPRO_RED"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
Reminder = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
ProblemsFixed = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
ItemsCleaned = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
ResidualFilesCleaned = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
RunDate = "{hex value}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
ItemsToFix = "253"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
ItemsToClean = "1705"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
Stat1a = "253"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
LastScanFound = "1958"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
LastScanChecked = "1111011"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
InstallStat = "1"

Other Details

This Potentially Unwanted Application connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}/install/?q={value}
  • http://{BLOCKED}zerprosurf.{BLOCKED}/get/?q={value}
  • http://{BLOCKED}erprosurfing.{BLOCKED}/get/?q={value}
  • http://{BLOCKED}zerprobrowser.{BLOCKED}/get/?q={value}
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}/install/?q={value}

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

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

SSAPI PATTERN File:

1.923.00

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

01 Mar 2018

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

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
    • Optimizer Pro
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • Optimizer Pro_is1

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\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • Optimizer Pro = “%Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProLauncher.exe”

Step 5

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.
  • %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Optimizer Pro v3.2
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro

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%\is-{random}.tmp\OptProCrash.dll
  • %Desktop%\Optimizer Pro.lnk

Step 7

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as PUA_PCOPTIMIZERPRO.GB. 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:


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.