ADW_SENSAVE

 Analysis by: Jimelle Monteser

 ALIASES:

Adware.SaveSense (fs) (Sunbelt), a variant of Win32/DealPly.M application(Eset)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Adware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware


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. It arrives as a component bundled with malware/grayware packages. It may be manually installed by a user.

It does not have any propagation routine.

It does not have any backdoor routine.

It does not have any information-stealing capability.

It requires its main component to successfully perform its intended routine. It deletes the initially executed copy of itself.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

195,072 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

18 Feb 2014

Payload:

Drops files, Connects to URLs/IPs

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.

It arrives as a component bundled with malware/grayware packages.

It may be manually installed by a user.

Installation

This adware creates the following folders:

  • %All Users Profile%\Application Data\SaveSenseLive
  • %All Users Profile%\Application Data\SaveSenseLive\Update
  • %All Users Profile%\Application Data\SaveSenseLive\Update\Log
  • %AppDataLocal%\SaveSenseLive
  • %AppDataLocal%\SaveSenseLive\CrashReports

(Note: %All Users Profile% is the All Users folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\ProgramData on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.. %AppDataLocal% is the Application Data folder found in Local Settings, where it is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)

Autostart Technique

This adware adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID}\
InProcServer32
Default = "{malware path}\{malware filename}.dll"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\
CLSID{CLSID}\InProcServer32
Default = "{malware path}\{malware filename}.dll"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
CLSID\{CLSID}\InprocServer32
Default = "{malware path}\{malware filename}.dll"

It adds the following registry keys to install itself as a Browser Helper Object (BHO):

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{CLSID}

It adds the following registry entries to install itself as a Browser Helper Object (BHO):

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{CLSID}
NoExplorer = "1"

Other System Modifications

This adware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID}\
InProcServer32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\
CLSID\{CLSID}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\
CLSID{CLSID}\InProcServer32

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SaveSenseLive.OneClickCtrl.9

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SaveSenseLive.OneClickCtrl.9\CLSID

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SaveSenseLive.Update3WebControl.3

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SaveSenseLive.Update3WebControl.3\CLSID

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID}\
ProgID

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MIME\Database\
Content Type\application/x-vnd.ssliveupdate.oneclickctrl.9

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MIME\Database\
Content Type\application/x-vnd.ssliveupdate.update3webcontrol.3

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\
{CLSID}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MozillaPlugins\
@tools.updaterss.com/SaveSenseLive Update;version=3\MimeTypes

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MozillaPlugins\
@tools.updaterss.com/SaveSenseLive Update;version=3\MimeTypes\application/x-vnd.ssliveupdate.update3webcontrol.3

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MozillaPlugins\
@tools.updaterss.com/SaveSenseLive Update;version=9

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MozillaPlugins\
@tools.updaterss.com/SaveSenseLive Update;version=9\MimeTypes\application/x-vnd.ssliveupdate.oneclickctrl.9

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MozillaPlugins\
@tools.updaterss.com/SaveSenseLive Update;version=3

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
SaveSenseLive.OneClickCtrl.9

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
SaveSenseLive.OneClickCtrl.9\CLSID

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
SaveSenseLive.Update3WebControl.3

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
SaveSenseLive.Update3WebControl.3\CLSID

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
CLSID\{CLSID}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
MIME\Database\Content Type\
application/x-vnd.ssliveupdate.oneclickctrl.9

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
MIME\Database\Content Type\
application/x-vnd.ssliveupdate.update3webcontrol.3

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID}\
InProcServer32
Threading Model = "Apartment"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\
CLSID\{CLSID}
Default = "SaveSense"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\
CLSID\{CLSID}\InProcServer32
Threading Model = "Apartment"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SaveSenseLive.OneClickCtrl.9
Default = "SaveSenseLive Update Plugin"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SaveSenseLive.OneClickCtrl.9\CLSID
Default = "{CLSID}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SaveSenseLive.Update3WebControl.3
Default = "SaveSenseLive Update Plugin"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SaveSenseLive.Update3WebControl.3\CLSID
Default = "{CLSID}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID}
Default = "SaveSenseLive Update Plugin"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID}\
ProgID
Default = "SaveSenseLive.OneClickCtrl.9"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID}\
ProgID
Default = "SaveSenseLive.Update3WebControl.3"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MIME\Database\
Content Type\application/x-vnd.ssliveupdate.oneclickctrl.9
CLSID = "{CLSID}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MIME\Database\
Content Type\application/x-vnd.ssliveupdate.update3webcontrol.3
CLSID = "{CLSID}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\
{CLSID}
AppName = "SaveSenseLive.exe"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\
{CLSID}
AppPath = "%All Users Profile%\Application Data\SaveSenseLive\Update"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\
{CLSID}
Policy = "3"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\
{CLSID}
AppName = "SaveSenseLiveOnDemand.exe"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\
{CLSID}
AppPath = "%All Users Profile%\Application Data\SaveSenseLive\Update\1.3.23.0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\
{CLSID}
Policy = "3"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MozillaPlugins\
@tools.updaterss.com/SaveSenseLive Update;version=3
Path = "{malware path}\{malware filename}.dll"

KEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MozillaPlugins\
@tools.updaterss.com/SaveSenseLive Update;version=3
Description = "SaveSenseLive Update"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MozillaPlugins\
@tools.updaterss.com/SaveSenseLive Update;version=3
Vendor = "SaveSense"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MozillaPlugins\
@tools.updaterss.com/SaveSenseLive Update;version=9
Path = "{malware path}\{malware filename}.dll"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID}
Default = "SaveSense"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MozillaPlugins\
@tools.updaterss.com/SaveSenseLive Update;version=9
Description = "SaveSenseLive Update"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MozillaPlugins\
@tools.updaterss.com/SaveSenseLive Update;version=9
Vendor = "SaveSense"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
SaveSenseLive.OneClickCtrl.9
Default = "SaveSenseLive Update Plugin"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
SaveSenseLive.OneClickCtrl.9\CLSID
CLSID = "{CLSID}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
SaveSenseLive.Update3WebControl.3
Default = "SaveSenseLive Update Plugin"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
SaveSenseLive.Update3WebControl.3\CLSID
CLSID = "{CLSID}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
CLSID\{CLSID}
Default = "SaveSenseLive Update Plugin"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
CLSID\{CLSID}\InprocServer32
ThreadingModel = "Apartment"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
CLSID\{CLSID}\ProgID
Default = "SaveSenseLive.OneClickCtrl.9"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
MIME\Database\Content Type\
application/x-vnd.ssliveupdate.oneclickctrl.9
CLSID = "{CLSID}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
MIME\Database\Content Type\
application/x-vnd.ssliveupdate.update3webcontrol.3
CLSID = "{CLSID}"

Propagation

This adware does not have any propagation routine.

Backdoor Routine

This adware does not have any backdoor routine.

Dropping Routine

This adware drops the following files:

  • %All Users Profile%\Application Data\SaveSenseLive\Update\Log\SaveSenseLive.log

(Note: %All Users Profile% is the All Users folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\ProgramData on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)

Information Theft

This adware does not have any information-stealing capability.

Other Details

This adware requires its main component to successfully perform its intended routine.

It deletes the initially executed copy of itself

NOTES:

It requires the following parameters to be able to execute properly:

  • Install
  • Uninstall
  • Run
  • Help

It connects to the following website to update itself:

  • http://{BLOCKED}inss.{BLOCKED}rss.com

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

It displays the following message box once executed.

It does not have rootkit capabilities.

It does not exploit any vulnerability.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.700

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

1.484.07

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

13 Feb 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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects
    • {CLSID}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {CLSID}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\CLSID
    • {CLSID}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • SaveSenseLive.OneClickCtrl.9
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • SaveSenseLive.Update3WebControl.3
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MIME\Database\Content Type
    • application/x-vnd.ssliveupdate.oneclickctrl.9
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MIME\Database\Content Type
    • application/x-vnd.ssliveupdate.update3webcontrol.3
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy
    • {CLSID}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MozillaPlugins\@tools.updaterss.com
    • SaveSenseLive Update;version = 9
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MozillaPlugins\@tools.updaterss.com
    • SaveSenseLive Update;version = 3
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes
    • SaveSenseLive.OneClickCtrl.9
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes
    • SaveSenseLive.Update3WebControl.3
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID
    • {CLSID}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\MIME\Database\Content Type
    • application/x-vnd.ssliveupdate.oneclickctrl.9
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\MIME\Database\Content Type
    • application/x-vnd.ssliveupdate.update3webcontrol.3

Step 4

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.  
  • %All Users Profile%\Application Data\SaveSenseLive
  • %AppDataLocal%\SaveSenseLive

Step 5

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


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.