ADW_EMOTICONS

January 13, 2015
 ALIASES:

Trojan.Win32.Generic!BT (Sunbelt); Found Win32/DH{gRJkICIlVzYK} (AVG)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Adware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

648,472 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

13 Jan 2015

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.

Installation

This adware creates the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\is-OJNH0.tmp
  • %User Temp%\is-6EOII.tmp
  • %User Temp%\is-6EOII.tmp\_isetup
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\SkypEmoticons
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\SkypEmoticons

(Note: %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp 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.. %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.. %Start Menu% is the Start Menu folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu 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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
se = "%System Root%\Users\user\AppData\Roaming\SkypEmoticons\SE.exe /minimized "

Other System Modifications

This adware deletes the following files:

  • %Start Menu%\Programs\SkypEmoticons\SkypEmoticons.pif
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\SkypEmoticons\SkypEmoticons.url

(Note: %Start Menu% is the Start Menu folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu 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.)

It adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
SkypEmoticons_is1

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
SkypEmoticons_is1
Inno Setup: Setup Version = "5.5.3 (u)"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
SkypEmoticons_is1
Inno Setup: App Path = "%User Profile%\Application Data\SkypEmoticons"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
SkypEmoticons_is1
InstallLocation = "%User Profile%\Application Data\SkypEmoticons"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
SkypEmoticons_is1
Inno Setup: Icon Group = "SkypEmoticons"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
SkypEmoticons_is1
Inno Setup: User = "Wilbert"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
SkypEmoticons_is1
Inno Setup: Language = "default"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
SkypEmoticons_is1
DisplayName = "SkypEmoticons"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
SkypEmoticons_is1
DisplayIcon = "%User Profile%\SkypEmoticons\se.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
SkypEmoticons_is1
UninstallString = "%User Profile%\SkypEmoticons\unins000.exe "

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
SkypEmoticons_is1
QuietUninstallString = "%User Profile%\SkypEmoticons\unins000.exe /SILENT"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
SkypEmoticons_is1
NoModify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
SkypEmoticons_is1
NoRepair = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
SkypEmoticons_is1
InstallDate = "20131203"

It deletes the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
SkypEmoticons_is1

Dropping Routine

This adware drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\is-ojnh0.tmp\{malware file name}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\is-6EOII.tmp\_isetup\_shfoldr.dll
  • %User Profile%\SkypEmoticons\unins000.dat
  • %User Profile%\SkypEmoticons\is-E52R8.tmp
  • %User Profile%\SkypEmoticons\is-RGA8T.tmp
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\SkypEmoticons\SkypEmoticons.lnk

(Note: %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp 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.. %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.. %Start Menu% is the Start Menu folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu 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.)

Other Details

This adware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://app1.{BLOCKED}e.w-src.com/update

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.700

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • SkypEmoticons_is1

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
    • se = "%System Root%\Users\user\AppData\Roaming\SkypEmoticons\SE.exe /minimized "
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SkypEmoticons_is1
    • Inno Setup: Setup Version = "5.5.3 (u)"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SkypEmoticons_is1
    • Inno Setup: App Path = "%User Profile%\Application Data\SkypEmoticons"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SkypEmoticons_is1
    • InstallLocation = "%User Profile%\Application Data\SkypEmoticons"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SkypEmoticons_is1
    • Inno Setup: Icon Group = "SkypEmoticons"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SkypEmoticons_is1
    • Inno Setup: User = "Wilbert"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SkypEmoticons_is1
    • Inno Setup: Language = "default"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SkypEmoticons_is1
    • DisplayName = "SkypEmoticons"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SkypEmoticons_is1
    • DisplayIcon = "%User Profile%\SkypEmoticons\se.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SkypEmoticons_is1
    • UninstallString = "%User Profile%\SkypEmoticons\unins000.exe "
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SkypEmoticons_is1
    • QuietUninstallString = "%User Profile%\SkypEmoticons\unins000.exe /SILENT"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SkypEmoticons_is1
    • NoModify = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SkypEmoticons_is1
    • NoRepair = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SkypEmoticons_is1
    • InstallDate = "20131203"

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.
  • %User Temp%\is-ojnh0.tmp\{malware file name}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\is-6EOII.tmp\_isetup\_shfoldr.dll
  • %User Profile%\SkypEmoticons\unins000.dat
  • %User Profile%\SkypEmoticons\is-E52R8.tmp
  • %User Profile%\SkypEmoticons\is-RGA8T.tmp
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\SkypEmoticons\SkypEmoticons.lnk

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.
  • %User Temp%\is-OJNH0.tmp
  • %User Temp%\is-6EOII.tmp
  • %User Temp%\is-6EOII.tmp\_isetup
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\SkypEmoticons
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\SkypEmoticons

Step 7

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

  • %Start Menu%\Programs\SkypEmoticons\SkypEmoticons.pif
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\SkypEmoticons\SkypEmoticons.url

Step 9

Restore these deleted registry keys/values from backup

*Note: Only Microsoft-related keys/values will be restored. If the malware/grayware also deleted registry keys/values related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on your computer.

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • SkypEmoticons_is1


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