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PUA.Win32.TaskbarSys.A

January 05, 2022
 Analysis by: Maria Emreen Viray
 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


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:

5,920,624 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

05 Jan 2022

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 folders:

  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\countly
  • %AppDataLocal%\TaskbarSystem
  • %AppDataLocal%\TaskbarSystem\TaskbarSystem.exe_Url_{random}
  • %Programs%\Taskbar system
  • %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp

(Note: %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).. %Programs% is the folder that contains the user’s program groups, which is usually C:\Windows\Start Menu\Programs or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu\Programs on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.. %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).)

It drops the following files:

  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\AsyncBridge.Net35.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\Countly.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\Newtonsoft.Json.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\SharpRaven.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\System.Threading.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\TaskbarSystem.exe
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\TaskbarSystem.exe.config
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\countly\device.xml
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\countly\sessions.xml
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\countly\sessions.xml
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\countly\userdetails.xml
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\sdk.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\unins000.dat
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\unins000.dat
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\unins000.exe
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\unins000.msg
  • %AppDataLocal%\TaskbarSystem\TaskbarSystem.exe_Url_{random}\1.0.2.3\user.config
  • %AppDataLocal%\TaskbarSystem\TaskbarSystem.exe_Url_{random}\1.0.2.3\{random}.newcfg
  • %AppDataLocal%\TaskbarSystem\TaskbarSystem.exe_Url_{random}\1.0.2.3\{random}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\Cab{random}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\Tar{random}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp\{malware name}.tmp
  • %Programs%\Taskbar system\Taskbar system.lnk

(Note: %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).. %Programs% is the folder that contains the user’s program groups, which is usually C:\Windows\Start Menu\Programs or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu\Programs on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

It adds the following processes:

  • "%User Temp%\{malware name}.tmp" /SL5="{random},{malware path and name}"
  • "%AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\TaskbarSystem.exe"

(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).. %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).)

Other System Modifications

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Taskbar system = %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\TaskbarSystem.exe

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
Inno Setup: Setup Version = 6.0.4 (u)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
Inno Setup: App Path = %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
InstallLocation = %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
Inno Setup: Icon Group = Taskbar system

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
Inno Setup: User = {username}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
Inno Setup: Language = {string}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
DisplayName = Taskbar system version 1.0.2.3

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
DisplayIcon = %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\TaskbarSystem.exe

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
UninstallString = "%AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\unins000.exe"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
QuietUninstallString = "%AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\unins000.exe" /SILENT

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
DisplayVersion = 1.0.2.3

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
Publisher = Taskbar system

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
NoModify = {value}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
NoRepair = {value}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
InstallDate = {YYYYMMDD}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
MajorVersion = {value}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
MinorVersion = {value}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
VersionMajor = {value}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
VersionMinor = {value}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
EstimatedSize = {value}

Other Details

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AdjustTask

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1

It connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • https://stats.{BLOCKED}rsystem.com/
  • https://update.{BLOCKED}rsystem.com/

It does the following:

  • Installation folder can be changed. The following is the default used:
    • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system

(Note: %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).)

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

SSAPI PATTERN File:

2.473.00

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

23 Dec 2021

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

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 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
    • Taskbar system = %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\TaskbarSystem.exe
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
    • Inno Setup: Setup Version = 6.0.4 (u)
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
    • Inno Setup: App Path = %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
    • InstallLocation = %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
    • Inno Setup: Icon Group = Taskbar system
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
    • Inno Setup: User = {username}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
    • Inno Setup: Language = {string}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
    • DisplayName = Taskbar system version 1.0.2.3
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
    • DisplayIcon = %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\TaskbarSystem.exe
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
    • UninstallString = "%AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\unins000.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
    • QuietUninstallString = "%AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\unins000.exe" /SILENT
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
    • DisplayVersion = 1.0.2.3
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
    • Publisher = Taskbar system
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
    • NoModify = {value}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
    • NoRepair = {value}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
    • InstallDate = {YYYYMMDD}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
    • MajorVersion = {value}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
    • MinorVersion = {value}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
    • VersionMajor = {value}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
    • VersionMinor = {value}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1
    • EstimatedSize = {value}

Step 5

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.

  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AdjustTask
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{C40E1200-5BEC-410C-B3C5-F7B475729D42}_is1

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.
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\AsyncBridge.Net35.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\Countly.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\Newtonsoft.Json.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\SharpRaven.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\System.Threading.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\TaskbarSystem.exe
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\TaskbarSystem.exe.config
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\countly\device.xml
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\countly\sessions.xml
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\countly\sessions.xml
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\countly\userdetails.xml
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\sdk.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\unins000.dat
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\unins000.dat
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\unins000.exe
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\unins000.msg
  • %AppDataLocal%\TaskbarSystem\TaskbarSystem.exe_Url_{random}\1.0.2.3\user.config
  • %AppDataLocal%\TaskbarSystem\TaskbarSystem.exe_Url_{random}\1.0.2.3\{random}.newcfg
  • %AppDataLocal%\TaskbarSystem\TaskbarSystem.exe_Url_{random}\1.0.2.3\{random}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\Cab{random}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\Tar{random}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp\{malware name}.tmp
  • %Programs%\Taskbar system\Taskbar system.lnk

Step 7

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.
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system
  • %AppDataLocal%\Programs\Taskbar system\countly
  • %AppDataLocal%\TaskbarSystem
  • %AppDataLocal%\TaskbarSystem\TaskbarSystem.exe_Url_{random}
  • %Programs%\Taskbar system
  • %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp

Step 8

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as PUA.Win32.TaskbarSys.A. 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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