ADW_OUTBROWSE

 Modified by: Rika Joi Gregorio

 ALIASES:

Win32/OutBrowse.G application(Eset), Adware/MultiToolbar(Panda)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)

 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 may be manually installed by a user.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

953,844 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

13 Jan 2014

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.

Installation

This adware drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\nst{random digit}.tmp\Convert.dll
  • %Application Data%\DefaultTab\DefaultTab\uninstalldt.exe
  • %Application Data%\newnext.me\cache\spark.bin
  • %Application Data%\newnext.me\nengine.cookie
  • %Application Data%\newnext.me\nengine.dll
  • %User Profile%\daemonprocess.txt
  • %AppDataLocal%\genienext\nengine.dll
  • %AppDataLocal%\Mobogenie\backup\client.time
  • %AppDataLocal%\Mobogenie\Data\mobogenie_u_user_dl.mg
  • %AppDataLocal%\Mobogenie\kv.ini
  • %AppDataLocal%\Mobogenie\mobo.uuid
  • %AppDataLocal%\Mobogenie\Source.mu
  • %User Temp%\nso{random digit}.tmp\BgWorker.dll
  • %User Temp%\nso{random digit}.tmp\KillProcDLL.dll
  • %User Temp%\nso{random digit}.tmp\nsDialogs.dll
  • %User Temp%\nso{random digit}.tmp\nsis7z.dll
  • %User Temp%\nso{random digit}.tmp\SkinBtn.dll
  • %User Temp%\nso{random digit}.tmp\System.dll
  • %User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Mobogenie\Uninstall.lnk
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Mobogenie.lnk
  • %Desktop%\Mobogenie.lnk
  • %User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Mobogenie\Mobogenie.lnk
  • %User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Mobogenie\Website.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.. %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming 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.. %AppDataLocal% is the Application Data folder found in Local Settings, where it is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local 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.. %Desktop% is the desktop folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Desktop in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop in 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 drops and executes the following files:

  • %User Temp%\DownloadManager.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.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %Application Data%\DefaultTab
  • %Application Data%\DefaultTab\DefaultTab
  • %Application Data%\newnext.me
  • %Application Data%\newnext.me\cache
  • %AppDataLocal%\genienext
  • %AppDataLocal%\Mobogenie
  • %AppDataLocal%\Mobogenie\backup
  • %AppDataLocal%\Mobogenie\Data
  • %AppDataLocal%\Mobogenie\device
  • %AppDataLocal%\Mobogenie\Download
  • %AppDataLocal%\Mobogenie\Apk
  • %AppDataLocal%\Mobogenie\Music
  • %AppDataLocal%\Mobogenie\Picture
  • %AppDataLocal%\Mobogenie\Video
  • %AppDataLocal%\Mobogenie\driver
  • %AppDataLocal%\Mobogenie\Version
  • %User Temp%\installdt.tmp\XPI
  • %User Temp%\installdt.tmp\XPI\defaulttab
  • %User Profile%\My Documents\Mobogenie
  • %User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Mobogenie
  • %Program Files%\DefaultTab
  • %User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Mobogenie\Mobogenie

(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming 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.. %AppDataLocal% is the Application Data folder found in Local Settings, where it is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local 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 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.. %Program Files% is the Program Files folder, where it usually is C:\Program Files on all Windows operating system versions; C:\Program Files (x86) for 32-bit applications running on Windows 64-bit operating systems.)

Autostart Technique

This adware creates the following registry entries to enable automatic execution of dropped component at every system startup:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
NextLive = "%System%\rundll32.exe "%Application Data%\newnext.me\nengine.dll", EntryPoint -m l"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
mobilegeni daemon = "%Program Files%\Mobogenie\DaemonProcess.exe"

It registers its dropped component as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup. It does this by creating the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\DefaultTabSearch
ImagePath = "%Program Files%\DefaultTab\DefaultTabSearch.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\DefaultTabSearch
DisplayName = "DefaultTabSerarch"

It registers its dropped component as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup. It does this by creating the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\DefaultTabSearch

Other System Modifications

This adware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Default Tab

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\kde.org

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\kde.org\
libphonon

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Trolltech

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Trolltech\
OrganizationDefaults

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D3388703-5092-487C-8217-11ADA1CA68B5}\
TypeLib

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D3388703-5092-487C-8217-11ADA1CA68B5}\
Version

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{3408AC0D-510E-4808-8F7B-6B70B1F88534}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{3408AC0D-510E-4808-8F7B-6B70B1F88534}\
ProxyStubClsid

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{3408AC0D-510E-4808-8F7B-6B70B1F88534}\
ProxyStubClsid32

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{3408AC0D-510E-4808-8F7B-6B70B1F88534}\
TypeLib

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{DCABB943-792E-44C4-9029-ECBEE6265AF9}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{DCABB943-792E-44C4-9029-ECBEE6265AF9}\
1.0

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{DCABB943-792E-44C4-9029-ECBEE6265AF9}\
1.0\0

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{DCABB943-792E-44C4-9029-ECBEE6265AF9}\
1.0\0\win32

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{DCABB943-792E-44C4-9029-ECBEE6265AF9}\
1.0\FLAGS

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{DCABB943-792E-44C4-9029-ECBEE6265AF9}\
1.0\HELPDIR

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Default Tab
Version = "2.2.3.0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Default Tab
001 = "1.4.4.0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Default Tab
002 = "1.3.2.0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Default Tab
003 = "1.1.19.0"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D3388703-5092-487C-8217-11ADA1CA68B5}
(Default) = "CBrowserExternal Class"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D3388703-5092-487C-8217-11ADA1CA68B5}\
LocalServer32
(Default) = "%User Temp%\DownloadManager.exe"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D3388703-5092-487C-8217-11ADA1CA68B5}\
LocalServer32
ServerExecutable = "%User Temp%\DownloadManager.exe"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D3388703-5092-487C-8217-11ADA1CA68B5}\
TypeLib
(Default) = "{DCABB943-792E-44C4-9029-ECBEE6265AF9}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{D3388703-5092-487C-8217-11ADA1CA68B5}\
Version
Version = "1.0"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{3408AC0D-510E-4808-8F7B-6B70B1F88534}
(Default) = "IBrowserExternals"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{3408AC0D-510E-4808-8F7B-6B70B1F88534}\
ProxyStubClsid
(Default) = "{00020424-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{3408AC0D-510E-4808-8F7B-6B70B1F88534}\
ProxyStubClsid32
(Default) = "{00020424-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{3408AC0D-510E-4808-8F7B-6B70B1F88534}\
TypeLib
(Default) = "{DCABB943-792E-44C4-9029-ECBEE6265AF9}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{3408AC0D-510E-4808-8F7B-6B70B1F88534}\
TypeLib
Version = "1.0"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{DCABB943-792E-44C4-9029-ECBEE6265AF9}\
1.0
(Default) = "SmartInstallerLib"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{DCABB943-792E-44C4-9029-ECBEE6265AF9}\
1.0\0\win32
(Default) = "%User Temp%\DownloadManager.exe"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{DCABB943-792E-44C4-9029-ECBEE6265AF9}\
1.0\FLAGS
(Default) = "0"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{DCABB943-792E-44C4-9029-ECBEE6265AF9}\
1.0\HELPDIR
(Default) = "%User Temp%"

Other Details

This adware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://offers.{BLOCKED}load.com/offers/DynamicOfferScreen
  • http://stats.g.{BLOCKED}click.net
  • http://static.{BLOCKED}ou.com
  • http://cdn.{BLOCKED}4desktop.com/Installer/Mobogenie/Mobogenie_Setup_INT.exe
  • http://cdn.{BLOCKED}load.com/Installer/DefaultTab/DefaultTabSetup.exe
  • http://download.{BLOCKED}t.me/spark.bin?rnd=1159213052
  • http://report.{BLOCKED}t.me/register.php
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}0.com

NOTES:

This adware has a Google Chrome extension which when installed adds the following folders and files:

    • Folders:
    • %AppDataLocal%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kdidombaedgpfiiedeimiebkmbilgmlc
    • %AppDataLocal%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kdidombaedgpfiiedeimiebkmbilgmlc\2.0.0_0
    • Files:
    • %AppDataLocal%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kdidombaedgpfiiedeimiebkmbilgmlc\2.0.0_0\background.html
    • %AppDataLocal%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kdidombaedgpfiiedeimiebkmbilgmlc\2.0.0_0\blank.html
    • %AppDataLocal%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kdidombaedgpfiiedeimiebkmbilgmlc\2.0.0_0\manifest.json

It has a Mozilla Firefox add-on component which when installed adds the following folders and files:

    • Folder:
    • %Application Data%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{random value}.default\extensions\addon@defaulttab.com
    • %Application Data%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{random value}.default\extensions\addon@defaulttab.com\components
    • %Application Data%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{random value}.default\extensions\addon@defaulttab.com\content
    • Files:
    • %Application Data%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{random value}.default\extensions\addon@defaulttab.com\chrome.manifest
    • %Application Data%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{random value}.default\extensions\addon@defaulttab.com\install.rdf
    • %Application Data%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{random value}.default\extensions\addon@defaulttab.com\components\defaultTabService.js
    • %Application Data%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{random value}.default\extensions\addon@defaulttab.com\content\defaulttab.js

It disguises itself as a browser helper object (BHO), add-on, or extension for the above mentioned browsers. It drops component files under %Program Files%\DefaultTab and %Program Files%\Mobogenie.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.700

SSAPI PATTERN File:

1.441.00

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

01 Oct 2013

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

Remove ADW_OUTBROWSE by using its own Uninstall option

[ Learn More ]
To uninstall the grayware process

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_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {D3388703-5092-487C-8217-11ADA1CA68B5}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface
    • {3408AC0D-510E-4808-8F7B-6B70B1F88534}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib
    • {DCABB943-792E-44C4-9029-ECBEE6265AF9}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • kde.org
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • Trolltech

Step 5

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
    • NextLive = "%System%\rundll32.exe "%Application Data%\newnext.me\nengine.dll", EntryPoint -m l"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • mobilegeni daemon = "%Program Files%\Mobogenie\DaemonProcess.exe"

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.
  • %AppDataLocal%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kdidombaedgpfiiedeimiebkmbilgmlc
  • %Application Data%\DefaultTab
  • %Application Data%\newnext.me
  • %AppDataLocal%\genienext
  • %AppDataLocal%\Mobogenie
  • %User Temp%\installdt.tmp\XPI
  • %User Profile%\My Documents\Mobogenie
  • %User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Mobogenie
  • %Program Files%\DefaultTab
  • %Program Files%\Mobogenie

Step 7

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 Profile%\daemonprocess.txt
  • %User Temp%\DownloadManager.exe
  • %User Temp%\nso{random digit}.tmp\BgWorker.dll
  • %User Temp%\nso{random digit}.tmp\KillProcDLL.dll
  • %User Temp%\nso{random digit}.tmp\nsDialogs.dll
  • %User Temp%\nso{random digit}.tmp\nsis7z.dll
  • %User Temp%\nso{random digit}.tmp\SkinBtn.dll
  • %User Temp%\nso{random digit}.tmp\System.dll

Step 8

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

NOTES:

For Mozilla Firefox browser users, please do the following steps before proceeding to Step 5:

  1. Open Firefox.
  2. Go to Tools>Add-ons.
  3. Select DefaultTab and click Uninstall.


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