ADWARE_ZANGO

August 24, 2010
 Analysis by: Karl Dominguez
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Adware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This adware uses social engineering methods to lure users into performing certain actions that may, directly or indirectly, cause malicious routines to be performed. Specifically, it makes use of Newegg, a popular online computer hardware/software seller.

To get a one-glance comprehensive view of the behavior of this Adware, refer to the Threat Diagram shown below.

This adware arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users. It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

202,056 bytes

File Type:

PE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

24 Aug 2010

Payload:

Connects to URLs/Ips, Downloads files

Arrival Details

This adware arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users.

It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

Installation

This adware adds the following folders:

  • %Application Data%\ClickPotatoLite
  • %Application Data%\ClickPotatoLiteSA
  • %Application Data%\QueryExplorer
  • %Application Data%\VLC
  • %Program Files%\Blinkx
  • %Program Files%\ClickPotatoLite
  • %Program Files%\QueryExplorer
  • %Program Files%\ShopperReports3
  • %Program Files%\VideoLAN
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\ClickPotato
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\ShopperReports
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\VideoLAN

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Application Data on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.. %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows NT and C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

Adware Routine

This adware connects to the following URLs to download and display ads:

  • http://{BLOCKED}s.clickpotato.tv
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}rreports.com
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}x.com

Other Details

This adware does the following:

  • Upon execution, this installer file connects to websites to download and install the following software:
    • ClickPotato - gives access to TV shows and films online
    • blinkx beat - video search engine
    • ShopperReports - browser add-on designed to help online shoppers to compare prices, find coupons, and search for alternative shops
    • VLC media player 1.0.1 - multimedia player for various audio and video formats

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

8.900

SSAPI PATTERN File:

0.971.00

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

26 Aug 2010

Step 1

For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.

Step 2

Remove ADWARE_ZANGO by using its own Uninstall option

[ Learn More ]
To uninstall the grayware process

Step 3

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as ADWARE_ZANGO. 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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