PUA.Win32.WinActivator.AB

November 04, 2019
 ALIASES:

HEUR:AdWare.MSIL.StartSurf.gen (Kaspersky); Trojan.Win32.Generic!BT (Sunbelt)

 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:

3,915,195 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

04 Nov 2019

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-HFJ5L.tmp\ffdb26e0711da197942aefa639c3a781dbb01716.tmp" /SL5="$20166,3654712,57856,%User Temp%\ffdb26e0711da197942aefa639c3a781dbb01716.exe"
  • "%System%\netsh.exe" advfirewall firewall add rule name="Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6" program="%System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6.exe" dir=in action=allow enable=yes

(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).. %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6
  • %User Temp%\is-MLKV6.tmp\_isetup

(Note: %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.. %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).)

Other System Modifications

This Potentially Unwanted Application deletes the following files:

  • %System Root%\Users\Public\Desktop\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6.pif
  • %System Root%\Users\Public\Desktop\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6.url

(Note: %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.)

It adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000
Owner = "\xc0\x0b\x00\x00\x8e\x89X\x08\x810\xd5\x01"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000
SessionHash = "\xcf]K\xc4A\)\x9e:\xeb\xf0q\xcd\xaf\xb8\xd8\x103_Y4 \x9e\xb5\x96F\xd9\x8d+"

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000
RegFiles0000 = "\x00\x00"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000
RegFilesHash = "\x06?\xbejj\x93\xae\xd8_\x92\x94)\xe7'\xbb*\xfb]`\xa4@\xf4\xbd\x85\x83q\xd5h\x93"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
Inno Setup: Setup Version = "5.5.9 (a)"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
Inno Setup: App Path = "%System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
InstallLocation = "%System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
Inno Setup: Icon Group = "Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
Inno Setup: User = "{username}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
Inno Setup: Language = "default"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
DisplayName = "Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
UninstallString = "%System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6\unins000.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
QuietUninstallString = "{random characters}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
DisplayVersion = "1.6"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
NoModify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
NoRepair = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
InstallDate = "20190702"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
MajorVersion = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
MinorVersion = "6"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
VersionMajor = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
VersionMinor = "6"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
EstimatedSize = "5200"

It deletes the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000\RegFilesHash

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000\RegFiles0000

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000\Sequence

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000\SessionHash

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000\Owner

Dropping Routine

This Potentially Unwanted Application drops the following files:

  • %System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6\unins000.dat
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6\Microsoft.VisualBasic.PowerPacks.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6\unins000.exe
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6.exe
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6\is-HHUEC.tmp
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6\Microsoft.VisualBasic.PowerPacks.xml
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6\is-S9FCS.tmp
  • %System Root%\Users\Public\Desktop\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6.lnk
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6\is-CIHTJ.tmp
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6\is-TE4KJ.tmp

(Note: %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.)

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.WinActivator.AB

[ 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_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_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\RestartManager\Session0000
    • Owner = "\xc0\x0b\x00\x00\x8e\x89X\x08\x810\xd5\x01"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • SessionHash = "\xcf]K\xc4A\)\x9e:\xeb\xf0q\xcd\xaf\xb8\xd8\x103_Y4 \x9e\xb5\x96F\xd9\x8d+"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • Sequence = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • RegFiles0000 = "\x00\x00"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • RegFilesHash = "\x06?\xbejj\x93\xae\xd8_\x92\x94)\xe7'\xbb*\xfb]`\xa4@\xf4\xbd\x85\x83q\xd5h\x93"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
    • Inno Setup: Setup Version = "5.5.9 (a)"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
    • Inno Setup: App Path = "%System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
    • InstallLocation = "%System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
    • Inno Setup: Icon Group = "Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
    • Inno Setup: User = "{username}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
    • Inno Setup: Language = "default"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
    • DisplayName = "Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
    • UninstallString = "%System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6\unins000.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
    • QuietUninstallString = "{random characters}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
    • DisplayVersion = "1.6"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
    • NoModify = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
    • NoRepair = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
    • InstallDate = "20190702"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
    • MajorVersion = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
    • MinorVersion = "6"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
    • VersionMajor = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
    • VersionMinor = "6"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6_is1
    • EstimatedSize = "5200"

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.
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6\unins000.dat
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6\Microsoft.VisualBasic.PowerPacks.dll
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6\unins000.exe
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6.exe
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6\is-HHUEC.tmp
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6\Microsoft.VisualBasic.PowerPacks.xml
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6\is-S9FCS.tmp
  • %System Root%\Users\Public\Desktop\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6.lnk
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6\is-CIHTJ.tmp
  • %System Root%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6\is-TE4KJ.tmp

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%\Program Files\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6
  • %User Temp%\is-MLKV6.tmp\_isetup

Step 7

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as PUA.Win32.WinActivator.AB. 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 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.

  • %System Root%\Users\Public\Desktop\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6.pif
  • %System Root%\Users\Public\Desktop\Mini KMS Activator Ultimate 1.6.url

Step 9

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
    • RegFilesHash
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • RegFiles0000
  • 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


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