ADW_PRICEMETER

October 21, 2014
 Modified by: RonJay Kristoffer Caragay
 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Adware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This adware may arrive bundled with malware packages as a malware component. It arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

It requires its main component to successfully perform its intended routine.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

Varies

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

09 Apr 2014

Arrival Details

This adware may arrive bundled with malware packages as a malware component.

It arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

Other System Modifications

This adware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\PriceMeter

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PriceMeter
pmwt = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PriceMeter
pmwc = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PriceMeter
firstW = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PriceMeter
pmt = "{varies value}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PriceMeter
pmc = "{varies value}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PriceMeter
pdc = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PriceMeter
pdt = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PriceMeter
pdx1xc = "{varies value}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PriceMeter
pdx1xt = "{varies value}"

Where:
"{varies value}" = are registry values which changes periodically

Dropping Routine

This adware drops the following files:

  • %Windows%\Tasks\pricemetertask.job
  • %Windows%\Tasks\pricemeterwatcher.job

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

Other Details

This adware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://cdn.{BLOCKED}pm.com/latest/cfg.dat
  • http://o.{BLOCKED}pm.com/

It requires its main component to successfully perform its intended routine.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.700

SSAPI PATTERN File:

1.558.13

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

17 Oct 2014

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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
    • PriceMeter

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.
  • %Windows%\Tasks\pricemetertask.job
  • %Windows%\Tasks\pricemeterwatcher.job

Step 6

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


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