Adware.Win32.Linkury.NN

January 08, 2020
 PLATFORM:

Windows

 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:

430,098 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

08 Jan 2020

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 adds the following processes:

  • %User Temp%\46D0.tmp.exe 1
  • %User Temp%\Temp\adasf.exe /S /kr /site_id=724
  • %User Temp%\Temp\003.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}t.com/bb/tds.php
  • "%Program Files%\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE" SCODEF:1892 CREDAT:275457 /prefetch:2
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\xkdnak.exe

It creates the following folders:

  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\DNTException
  • %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Recovery\High\Active
  • %User Temp%\Temp
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\IECompatUACache
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\PrivacIE
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\IECompatCache

(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).. %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).. %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).)

Autostart Technique

This Adware registers itself as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup by adding the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\ByteDownload protect service
ImagePath = "%Program Files%\Common Files\xkdnak.exe"

Other System Modifications

This Adware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
WindowsUpdater

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
WindowsUpdater\see2

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
WindowsUpdater\ppplayer

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
WindowsUpdater\multishare

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Picture\
PictureprocessingToolsV1.0

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Picture\
adasf

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
WindowsUpdater
installed = "/click.php?cnv_id=eddc5oc7sftqqd4b"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft
count = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
WindowsUpdater\multishare
Installed = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
WindowsUpdater\see2
Installed = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
WindowsUpdater\ppplayer
Installed = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
WindowsUpdater\multishare
installed = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\ByteDownload protect service
Description = "TDDO:ByteDownload"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
{{GUID}} = "003"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\ByteDownload protect service
DisplayName = "Microsoft ByteDownload"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\ByteDownload protect service
Start = "SERVICE_AUTO_START"

It deletes the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\
Settings\{72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E}\NewInstallPromptCount

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\
Settings\{72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E}\CompatBlockPromptCount

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\
Settings\{761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43}\NewInstallPromptCount

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\
Settings\{761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43}\CompatBlockPromptCount

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\
Settings\{DBC80044-A445-435B-BC74-9C25C1C588A9}\NewInstallPromptCount

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\
Settings\{DBC80044-A445-435B-BC74-9C25C1C588A9}\CompatBlockPromptCount

Dropping Routine

This Adware drops the following files:

  • %Program Files%\Common Files\xkdnak.exe
  • %User Temp%\d
  • %User Temp%\d-wal
  • %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Recovery\High\Active\RecoveryStore.{6F7338B8-D327-11E9-9255-005056BC19AD}.dat
  • %Application Data%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\lj5mikyj.default\cookies.sqlite-wal
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\sq.ini
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Launcher.exe
  • %Application Data%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\lj5mikyj.default\cookies.sqlite
  • %Application Data%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\lj5mikyj.default\cookies.sqlite-shm
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\multishare.exe
  • %User Temp%\d-shm

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 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).. %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).)

Other Details

This Adware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}i.com/xml
  • http://{BLOCKED}-analytics.com/collect
  • http://{BLOCKED}t.com/20190118/things.xml
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}t.com/20190118/multishare.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}t.com/20190118/rates.xml
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}l.pw/adasf
  • http://{BLOCKED}.52.19/adasf.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}llinks.com/download/003.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}pn.pro/soft/vpnpro/{BLOCKED}pnmix3.exe
  • http://{BLOCKED}897dca4356a0d1741fe78a5377.site
  • http://linkury.{BLOCKED}west-2.amazonaws.com
  • http://go.{BLOCKED}oft.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}install.com
  • http://s3-eu-west-1.{BLOCKED}aws.com
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}dance.com

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 Adware.Win32.Linkury.NN

[ 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
    • WindowsUpdater
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdater
    • see2
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdater
    • ppplayer
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WindowsUpdater
    • multishare
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Picture
    • PictureprocessingToolsV1.0
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Picture
    • adasf

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\WindowsUpdater
    • installed = "/click.php?cnv_id=eddc5oc7sftqqd4b"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft
    • count = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WindowsUpdater\multishare
    • Installed = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WindowsUpdater\see2
    • Installed = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WindowsUpdater\ppplayer
    • Installed = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WindowsUpdater\multishare
    • installed = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\ByteDownload protect service
    • Description = "TDDO:ByteDownload"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • {{GUID}} = "003"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ByteDownload protect service
    • DisplayName = "Microsoft ByteDownload"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ByteDownload protect service
    • Start = "SERVICE_AUTO_START"

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.
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\xkdnak.exe
  • %User Temp%\d
  • %User Temp%\d-wal
  • %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Recovery\High\Active\RecoveryStore.{6F7338B8-D327-11E9-9255-005056BC19AD}.dat
  • %Application Data%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\lj5mikyj.default\cookies.sqlite-wal
  • %Program Files%\Common Files\sq.ini
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Launcher.exe
  • %Application Data%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\lj5mikyj.default\cookies.sqlite
  • %Application Data%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\lj5mikyj.default\cookies.sqlite-shm
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\multishare.exe
  • %User Temp%\d-shm

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%\Microsoft\Windows\DNTException
  • %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Recovery\High\Active
  • %User Temp%\Temp
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\IECompatUACache
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\PrivacIE
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\IECompatCache

Step 7

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Adware.Win32.Linkury.NN. 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\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\{72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E}
    • NewInstallPromptCount
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\{72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E}
    • CompatBlockPromptCount
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\{761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43}
    • NewInstallPromptCount
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\{761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43}
    • CompatBlockPromptCount
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\{DBC80044-A445-435B-BC74-9C25C1C588A9}
    • NewInstallPromptCount
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\{DBC80044-A445-435B-BC74-9C25C1C588A9}
    • CompatBlockPromptCount


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