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TROJ_ADCLICKE.RK

June 04, 2013
 ALIASES:

Trojan:Win32/Sisproc (Microsoft); Generic packed (McAfee); Trojan.Adclicker (Symantec); Trojan.Win32.StartPage.zrn (Kaspersky); Trojan.Win32.Generic!BT (Sunbelt); Trojan horse BHO.MBB (AVG)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW


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

It deletes itself after execution.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

401,444 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

04 Jun 2013

Arrival Details

This Trojan 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 Trojan creates the following folders:

  • %System Root%\Èí¼þ
  • %Program Files%\Hotspot Shield
  • %Program Files%\Hotspot Shield\HssIE

(Note: %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (64-bit).)

Autostart Technique

This Trojan registers itself as a BHO to ensure its automatic execution every time Internet Explorer is used by adding the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{6FAEB46D-40AD-4661-B79B-C9A9C8CDA5B3}

Other System Modifications

This Trojan deletes the following files:

  • %User Profile%\×ÀÃæ\Æô¶¯ Internet Explorer ä¯ÀÀÆ÷.lnk
  • %User Profile%\×ÀÃæ\Æô¶¯ Internet Explorer.lnk
  • %User Profile%\Quick Launch\Æô¶¯ Internet Explorer ä¯ÀÀÆ÷.lnk

(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.)

It adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\
CLSID\{71F07D79-F78A-48F4-9A6A-BABD68BDFCBE}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{71F07D79-F78A-48F4-9A6A-BABD68BDFCBE}\DefaultIcon

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{71F07D79-F78A-48F4-9A6A-BABD68BDFCBE}\Shell

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{71F07D79-F78A-48F4-9A6A-BABD68BDFCBE}\ShellFolder

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{71F07D79-F78A-48F4-9A6A-BABD68BDFCBE}\Shell\
Open(&O)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{71F07D79-F78A-48F4-9A6A-BABD68BDFCBE}\Shell\
ÊôÐÔ(&D)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{71F07D79-F78A-48F4-9A6A-BABD68BDFCBE}\Shell\
Open(&O)\Command

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{71F07D79-F78A-48F4-9A6A-BABD68BDFCBE}\Shell\
ÊôÐÔ(&D)\Command

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Desktop\NameSpace\{71F07D79-F78A-48F4-9A6A-BABD68BDFCBE}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{6FAEB46D-40AD-4661-B79B-C9A9C8CDA5B3}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{6FAEB46D-40AD-4661-B79B-C9A9C8CDA5B3}\
InprocServer32

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\HssIE.HotspotShieldÄ£¿é

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\HssIE.HotspotShieldÄ£¿é\Clsid

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{6FAEB46D-40AD-4661-B79B-C9A9C8CDA5B3}\
ProgID

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{71F07D79-F78A-48F4-9A6A-BABD68BDFCBE}\ShellFolder
Attributes = "a"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{6FAEB46D-40AD-4661-B79B-C9A9C8CDA5B3}\InprocServer32
ThreadingModel = "Apartment"

Dropping Routine

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %Program Files%\Hotspot Shield\HssIE\HssIE.dll
  • %User Profile%\×ÀÃæ\Internet Explorer.lnk
  • %User Profile%\Quick Launch\Internet Explorer.lnk
  • %User Profile%\³ÌÐò\Internet Explorer.lnk
  • %User Profile%\Quick Launch\Launch Internet Explorer Browser.lnk
  • %Windows%\newicon.ico
  • %System%\taobao.ico
  • %User Profile%\×ÀÃæ\ÌÔ±¦É̳Ç.url
  • %Favorites%\==ÍøÖ·½â·Åµ¼º½==.url
  • %System Root%\qpg.bat

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (64-bit).. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.. %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows.. %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.. %Favorites% is the current user's Favorites folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Favorites on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\Favorites on Windows Vista and 7.. %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

Other Details

This Trojan deletes itself after execution.

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

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

Close all opened browser windows

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\HideDesktopIcons
    • NewStartPanel
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\CLSID
    • {71F07D79-F78A-48F4-9A6A-BABD68BDFCBE}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{71F07D79-F78A-48F4-9A6A-BABD68BDFCBE}
    • DefaultIcon
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{71F07D79-F78A-48F4-9A6A-BABD68BDFCBE}
    • Shell
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{71F07D79-F78A-48F4-9A6A-BABD68BDFCBE}
    • ShellFolder
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{71F07D79-F78A-48F4-9A6A-BABD68BDFCBE}\Shell
    • Open(&O)
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{71F07D79-F78A-48F4-9A6A-BABD68BDFCBE}\Shell
    • ÊôÐÔ(&D)
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{71F07D79-F78A-48F4-9A6A-BABD68BDFCBE}\Shell\Open(&O)
    • Command
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{71F07D79-F78A-48F4-9A6A-BABD68BDFCBE}\Shell\ÊôÐÔ(&D)
    • Command
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace
    • {71F07D79-F78A-48F4-9A6A-BABD68BDFCBE}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {6FAEB46D-40AD-4661-B79B-C9A9C8CDA5B3}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{6FAEB46D-40AD-4661-B79B-C9A9C8CDA5B3}
    • InprocServer32
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • HssIE.HotspotShieldÄ£¿é
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\HssIE.HotspotShieldÄ£¿é
    • Clsid
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{6FAEB46D-40AD-4661-B79B-C9A9C8CDA5B3}
    • ProgID

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{71F07D79-F78A-48F4-9A6A-BABD68BDFCBE}\ShellFolder
    • Attributes = "a"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{6FAEB46D-40AD-4661-B79B-C9A9C8CDA5B3}\InprocServer32
    • ThreadingModel = "Apartment"

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.
  • %Program Files%\Hotspot Shield\HssIE\HssIE.dll
  • %User Profile%\×ÀÃæ\Internet Explorer.lnk
  • %User Profile%\Quick Launch\Internet Explorer.lnk
  • %User Profile%\³ÌÐò\Internet Explorer.lnk
  • %User Profile%\Quick Launch\Launch Internet Explorer Browser.lnk
  • %Windows%\newicon.ico
  • %System%\taobao.ico
  • %User Profile%\×ÀÃæ\ÌÔ±¦É̳Ç.url
  • %Favorites%\==ÍøÖ·½â·Åµ¼º½==.url
  • %System Root%\qpg.bat

Step 6

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.
  • %System Root%\Èí¼þ
  • %Program Files%\Hotspot Shield
  • %Program Files%\Hotspot Shield\HssIE

Step 7

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

Step 8

Restore this file from backup only Microsoft-related files will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted files related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on you computer again.

  • %User Profile%\×ÀÃæ\Æô¶¯ Internet Explorer ä¯ÀÀÆ÷.lnk
  • %User Profile%\×ÀÃæ\Æô¶¯ Internet Explorer.lnk
  • %User Profile%\Quick Launch\Æô¶¯ Internet Explorer ä¯ÀÀÆ÷.lnk


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