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PUA.Win32.DriverUpdater.BY

October 04, 2022
 Analysis by: Eleazar Valles
 ALIASES:

Riskware/Slimware (FORTINET)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Potentially Unwanted Application

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware


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.

It does not have any propagation routine.

It does not have any backdoor routine.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

1,019,760 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

20 Sep 2022

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs, Drops files, Modifies system registry, Schedules tasks

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%\Slimware Utilities Inc (Contains settings and configuration files)
  • %Program Files%\Slimware Utilities (Contains installed application and components)
  • %Program Files%\DriverUpdate (Contains installed application and components)

(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).. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\{random}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{random}.tmp.msi
  • %User Temp%\{random}.tmp.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).)

It adds the following processes:

  • %Program Files%\DriverUpdate\DriverUpdate.exe -installscan
  • %User Temp%\{random}.tmp.exe SI_LAUNCH=onreboot SI_MODE=toaster SI_DELAY=5 @P2_ORIGIN={random characters}@P2={random characters}@UL_STUBID={stub id}
  • %Program Files%\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe "http://www.{BLOCKED}update.net/scan_results/index.php?lang=en&installer_data={encoded information}&machineId={machine id}&installId={install id}"

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
DriverUpdate = %Program Files%\DriverUpdate\DriverUpdate.exe -boot

It starts the following services:

  • Name : SlimWareServices
    Image path: %Program Files%\Slimware Utilities\Services\Slimware.Services.exe

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

Propagation

This Potentially Unwanted Application does not have any propagation routine.

Backdoor Routine

This Potentially Unwanted Application does not have any backdoor routine.

Rootkit Capabilities

This Potentially Unwanted Application does not have rootkit capabilities.

Download Routine

This Potentially Unwanted Application connects to the following URL(s) to download its component file(s):

  • http://apps-api.{BLOCKED}reutilities.com/install/du/{Operating System Version}/x86/DriverUpdate-setup.msi.bz2?machineId={Machine ID}
  • http://cdn.{BLOCKED}eaner.com/downloads/scplus/SlimCleanerPlus_en-US_x86_Silent.exe

Other Details

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SlimWare Utilities Inc (Contains configuration and information of installed application)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SlimWare Utilities Inc (Contains configuration and information of installed application)

It does the following:

  • It connects to the following URL to send and receive information regarding installation:
    • http://trk.{BLOCKED}reutilities.com/ulc.php?ev={Installer Event}&upl={Encoded Information}&machineId={Machine ID}&platformOS={Operating System}&platformOSVersion={Operating System Version}&installer={Installer}&installerVersion={Installer Version}&product={Product Version}&msBclVersion={BCL Version}
    • http://trk.{BLOCKED}reutilities.com/ulc.php?ev={Installer Event}&upl={Encoded Information}&machineId={Machine ID}&platformOS={Operating System}&platformOSVersion={Operating System Version}&installer={Installer}&installerVersion={Installer Version}&product={Product Version}
    • http://trk.{BLOCKED}reutilities.com/ulc.php?ev={Installer Event}&upl={Encoded Information}&machineId={Machine ID}&platformOS={Operating System}&platformOSVersion={Operating System Version}&installer={Installer}&installerVersion={Installer Version}&product={Product Version}&installId={Install ID}&description={Description}&result={Result}
    • http://trk.{BLOCKED}reutilities.com/ulc.php?ev={Installer Event}&upl={Encoded Information{&machineId={Machine ID}&platformOS={Operating System}&platformOSVersion={Operating System Version}&installer={Installer}&installerVersion={Installer Version}&product={Product}&installId={Install ID}&errorType={Error Type}&errorCode={Error Code}&page=app-side-error&action={Action}
    • http://trk.{BLOCKED}reutilities.com/ulc.php?ev={Installer Event}&platformOSVersion={Operating System Version}&secondOfferOrigin={Random}&ul_stubid={Stub ID}&p2={Random}&installer={Installer}&product={Product Version}&installerVersion={Installer Version}&machineId={Machine ID}&platformOS={Operating System]
    • http://stc.{BLOCKED}reutilities.com/gettrack?product={Product}&p2={Random}&secondOfferOrigin={Random}&ul_stubid={Stub ID}
    • http://apps-api.{BLOCKED}reutilities.com/
  • It sends the following information regarding installation:
    • Installer event
    • Default browser information (e.g. browser name, browser language)
    • Operating system information (e.g. name, version)

It adds the following scheduled tasks:

  • Task Name: DriverUpdate Scan
    Task to run: %Program Files%\driverupdate\driverupdate.exe

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

SSAPI PATTERN File:

2.551.00

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

22 Sep 2022

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

Disable this malware service

[ Learn More ]
    • SlimWareServices

Step 5

Deleting Scheduled Tasks while in Safe Mode

  1. Still in safe mode, the following {Task Name}-{Task to be run} listed should be used in the steps identified below:  
    • Task name: DriverUpdate Scan
    • Task to be run: %Program Files%\driverupdate\driverupdate.exe
  2. For Windows 7 and Server 2008 (R2) users, click Start>Computer.
    • For Windows 8, 8.1, 10, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, then click File Explorer.
  3. In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
    • %System%\Tasks\{Task Name}
  4. Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
  5. Open Registry Editor. To do this:
    • For Windows 7 and Server 2008 (R2) users, click the Start button, type regedit in the Search input field, and press Enter.
    • For Windows 8, 8.1, 10, and Server 2012 (R2) users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Run, type regedit in the text box
  6. In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows NT>CurrentVersion>Schedule>TaskCache>Tree>{Task Name}
  7. Locate the created entry and take note of the registry value's data:
    • ID={Task Data}
  8. After taking note of the data, delete the registry key:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows NT>CurrentVersion>Schedule>TaskCache>Tree>{Task Name}
  9. In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows NT>CurrentVersion>Schedule>TaskCache>Tasks
  10. Still in the left panel, locate and delete the registry key with the same name as the located Task Data in step #6:
    • ={Task Data}
  11. Close Registry Editor.

Step 6

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
    • DriverUpdate = %Program Files%\DriverUpdate\DriverUpdate.exe -boot

Step 7

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\
    • SlimWare Utilities Inc
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\
    • SlimWare Utilities Inc

Step 8

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.
  • %User Temp%\{random}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{random}.tmp.msi
  • %User Temp%\{random}.tmp.exe

Step 9

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%\Slimware Utilities Inc
  • %Program Files%\Slimware Utilities
  • %Program Files%\DriverUpdate

Step 10

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