ADW_PULSOFE

January 13, 2015

Analysis by: RonJay Kristoffer Caragay

ALIASES:

SoftPulse (Sophos); APPL/Softpulse.aonb (Avira); PUP.Optional.SoftPulse (Malwarebytes); SoftPulse (McAfee);

PLATFORM:

Windows

OVERALL RISK RATING:

DAMAGE POTENTIAL:

DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:

REPORTED INFECTION:

INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

Threat Type: Adware
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: No
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 may be manually installed by a user.

It connects to certain websites to send and receive information.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

Varies

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Initial Samples Received Date:

30 Dec 2014

Payload:

Displays windows

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 may be manually installed by a user.

Other System Modifications

This adware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MaxPower

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MaxPower
(Default) = "{random values}"

Download Routine

This adware connects to the following website(s) to download and execute a malicious file:

http://{random}.{BLOCKED}m4k.com/aa/FastPlayerSetup.exe
http://aff-software.s3-website-us-east-1.{BLOCKED}aws.com/7f1df2ad776e148c4007facb815b9b4a/Cloud_Backup_Setup.exe
http://app.{BLOCKED}on.net/apps/dist/5555-1007_CheckMeUp.exe
http://cdn.{BLOCKED}loadcdn.com.s3.{BLOCKED}aws.com/pricefountain/pfinst1.0.8.6.exe
http://dl.{BLOCKED}genserv.com/braapplus2/shopp0/montz/setup.exe
http://dl.{BLOCKED}genserv.com/catchv2plus/allmpv0/setup.exe
http://dl.{BLOCKED}ermacrocephalus.com/download/dwn/sfv7812/asia/en/setup_gmsd_en.exe
http://dl.{BLOCKED}rvers.net/111000713/OptimizerPro.exe
http://download.{BLOCKED}e.com/cm/softlate/pcmechanicpm/pcm/setup/pcmechanicpm.exe
http://files.{BLOCKED}e.com/cm/softlate/pcmechanicpm/pcm/setup/pcmechanicpm.exe
http://dwnl.{BLOCKED}rservices.com/sfrv/pricehorse_1.exe
http://download.{BLOCKED}e.com/cm/softlate/speedupmypc/option1/setup/speedupmypc.exe
http://files.{BLOCKED}e.com/cm/softlate/speedupmypc/option1/setup/speedupmypc.exe
http://{BLOCKED}l-apps.com/download/WIE_2.21.2.32.exe
http://{BLOCKED}l-apps.com/wajam_install.exe?tracking=montreal
http://{BLOCKED}l-cdn.lampylighty.com/sd?is=dq
http://ocsp.{BLOCKED}gn.com/MFEwTzBNMEswSTAJBgUrDgMCGgUABBRIt2RJ89X%2B%2BhEzqoBeQg8PymQ2UQQUANhaTCXBIuWLMe9tuvPMXynxDWECEDWXMYfzhzoHMn7OWAybfto%3D
http://ocsp.{BLOCKED}gn.com/MFEwTzBNMEswSTAJBgUrDgMCGgUABBS56bKHAoUD%2BOyl%2B0LhPg9JxyQm4gQUf9Nlp8Ld7LvwMAnzQzn6Aq8zMTMCEG7MeqWnAyAJuM689OlS1JE%3D
http://sd.{BLOCKED}d.com/MFEwTzBNMEswSTAJBgUrDgMCGgUABBQMgSk4dLKWKRB%2B2DViUmQEUw3ggwQUDURcFlNEwYJ%2BHSCrJfQBY9i%2BeaUCECyLOOAjYRltRQP8lkAE25w%3D
http://www.{BLOCKED}angwei.com/home/lly_mystartsearch.exe
http://www.{BLOCKED}angwei.com/home/lly_omiga-plus.exe

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

%User Temp%\{random UID}\fastplayersetup.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\cloud_backup_setup.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\pfinst1.0.8.6.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\setup_gmsd_en.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\optimizerpro.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\pcmechanicpm.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\pricehorse_1.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\speedupmypc.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\wie_2.19.2.6.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\lampylightysetup.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\vopackage.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\lly_mystartsearch.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\lly_omiga-plus.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\setup.exe

(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.)

Adware Routine

This adware connects to the following URL(s) to display ads on the affected system:

http://www.{BLOCKED}n.com/BesH3gE9/pop-up/
http://adserver-master.{BLOCKED}t.com/adserver/www/delivery/lg.php?bannerid=123&campaignid=10&zoneid=3&cb=a649d39cdd
http://adserver-master.{BLOCKED}t.com/adserver/www/images/6aaaef8db9501f0baa8fbe9d090dcaac.jpg
http://revive.{BLOCKED}imatesrv.com/adserver/www/delivery/afr.php?zoneid=3&cb=INSERT_RANDOM_NUMBER_HERE
http://revive.{BLOCKED}imatesrv.com/adserver/www/delivery/lg.php?bannerid=123&campaignid=10&zoneid=3&cb=6cf2400f14
http://revive.{BLOCKED}imatesrv.com/adserver/www/images/6aaaef8db9501f0baa8fbe9d090dcaac.jpg

Other Details

This adware connects to the following website to send and receive information:

http://{random}.{BLOCKED}m4k.com/__dmp__/
http://{random}.{BLOCKED}m4k.com/__maxpower__/render_offer_and_screen/2014/04/{UID 1}/b8/25?language_code=en
http://{random}.{BLOCKED}m4k.com/__maxpower__/render_screen/2014/10/{UID 1}/screen_variation=f-link
http://{random}.{BLOCKED}m4k.com/__maxpower__/render_screen/2014/11/{UID 1}/screen_variation=g-link-v3
http://{random}.{BLOCKED}m4k.com/__maxpower__/render_screen/2014/11/{UID 1}/screen_variation=I_link
http://{random}.{BLOCKED}m4k.com/__maxpower__/render_template/2014/11/{UID 1}/template_variation=v2?language_code=en
http://{random}.{BLOCKED}4k.com/{random values}
http://{random}.{BLOCKED}m4k.com/maxpower-static/apps/5a/68762/css/style.css
http://{random}.{BLOCKED}m4k.com/maxpower-static/offers/b8/25/css/style.css
http://{random}.{BLOCKED}m4k.com/maxpower-static/templates/2014/11/{UID 1}/v2/css/images/bullet-short.gif
http://{random}.{BLOCKED}m4k.com/maxpower-static/templates/2014/11/{UID 1}/v2/css/images/i-download.png
http://{random}.{BLOCKED}m4k.com/maxpower-static/templates/2014/11/{UID 1}/v2/css/images/loading-install.gif
http://{random}.{BLOCKED}m4k.com/maxpower-static/templates/2014/11/{UID 1}/v2/css/images/progress-bar.png
http://{random}.{BLOCKED}m4k.com/maxpower-static/templates/2014/11/{UID 1}/v2/css/images/progress-level.png
http://{random}.{BLOCKED}m4k.com/maxpower-static/templates/2014/11/{UID 1}/v2/css/style.css

NOTES:

This adware downloads and install applications. It is an installer package for the software FastPlayerPro.

It offers user if it would like to install the following additional applications:

MyPcBackup
PriceFountain
Games Desktop
Optimizer Pro
PCMechanic
Price Horse
SpeedUpMyPC
Wajam
LampyLighty
Vuupc
Mystartsearch
Omiga Plus
Check Me Up
Browser app
Media Player Enhance

It displays installation options and EULAs of the software:

After downloading, it will display ads in browser and list all downloaded software.

SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.700

SSAPI PATTERN File:

1.579.00

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

31 Dec 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

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

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
- MaxPower

Step 4

Search and delete these files

[ 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 UID}\fastplayersetup.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\cloud_backup_setup.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\pfinst1.0.8.6.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\setup_gmsd_en.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\optimizerpro.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\pcmechanicpm.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\pricehorse_1.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\speedupmypc.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\wie_2.19.2.6.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\lampylightysetup.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\vopackage.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\lly_mystartsearch.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\lly_omiga-plus.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\setup.exe

To delete malware/grayware files:

For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:

Right-click Start then click Search....
In the File name* input box, type

%User Temp%\{random UID}\fastplayersetup.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\cloud_backup_setup.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\pfinst1.0.8.6.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\setup_gmsd_en.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\optimizerpro.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\pcmechanicpm.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\pricehorse_1.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\speedupmypc.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\wie_2.19.2.6.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\lampylightysetup.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\vopackage.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\lly_mystartsearch.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\lly_omiga-plus.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\setup.exe
In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer then press Enter.
Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
Repeat the said steps for all files listed.
*Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).

For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:

Open a Windows Explorer window.
- For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
- For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, then click File Explorer.
In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:

%User Temp%\{random UID}\fastplayersetup.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\cloud_backup_setup.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\pfinst1.0.8.6.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\setup_gmsd_en.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\optimizerpro.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\pcmechanicpm.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\pricehorse_1.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\speedupmypc.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\wie_2.19.2.6.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\lampylightysetup.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\vopackage.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\lly_mystartsearch.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\lly_omiga-plus.exe
%User Temp%\{random UID}\setup.exe
Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
Repeat the said steps for all files listed.
*Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.

Step 5

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

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