ADW_VITRUVIAN

June 08, 2015
 Analysis by: RonJay Kristoffer Caragay
 ALIASES:

Riskware/Vitruvian (Fortinet); PUA.Vitruvian (Ikarus); not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.Vitruvian.k (Kaspersky); a variant of Win32/Adware.Vitruvian.F (ESET-NOD32)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

It requires its main component to successfully perform its intended routine.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

278,600 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

13 May 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.

Autostart Technique

This adware registers itself as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup by adding the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\insvc_1.10.0.14
ImagePath = "{malware path and filename}.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\insvc_1.10.0.14
Start = "2"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\insvc_1.10.0.14
DisplayName = "Infonaut 1.10.0.14 Client Service"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\insvc_1.10.0.14
Description = "This service enables Infonaut 1.10.0.14 on HTTP websites"

It registers as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup by adding the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\insvc_1.10.0.14

Other Details

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

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.750

SSAPI PATTERN File:

1.625.00

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

21 May 2015

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 4

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\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
    • insvc_1.10.0.14

Step 5

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