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PUA.Win32.MyWebSearch.IU.component

April 05, 2022
 Analysis by: Khristian Joseph Morales
 ALIASES:

Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.BA (NOD32)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Potentially Unwanted Application

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Downloaded from the Internet


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

It modifies the user's Internet Explorer home page into a certain website. This action allows the malware to point to a website which may contain malware, putting the affected computer at greater risk of malware infection.

It connects to certain websites to send and receive information. It redirects browsers to certain sites. However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

382,376 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

29 Mar 2022

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs, Displays windows

Arrival Details

This Potentially Unwanted Application 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 Potentially Unwanted Application drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\nsw{random}.tmp\nsDialogs.dll
  • %User Temp%\nsw{random}.tmp\System.dll
  • %User Temp%\nsw{random}.tmp\installerParams
  • %User Temp%\nsw{random}.tmp\reporting
  • %User Temp%\nsw{random}.tmp\cancel_blue_{random}.bmp
  • %User Temp%\nsw{random}.tmp\Install_ENG_{random}.bmp
  • %User Temp%\nsw{random}.tmp\ProductManualsGuide-01_{random}.bmp
  • %User Temp%\nsw{random}.tmp\ProductManualsGuide-02_{random}.bmp
  • %AppDataLocal%\ProductManualsGuideTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %AppDataLocal% is the Local Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It creates the following folders:

  • %AppDataLocal%\ProductManualsGuideTooltab

(Note: %AppDataLocal% is the Local Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

Other System Modifications

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ProductManualsGuide
Start Page = http://hp.{BLOCKED}y.com/productmanualsguide/ttab02/index.html?n={random}=^CQW^mni000^TTAB02&ptb={randomly generated ID}&coid={randomly generated ID}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing
NewTabPageShow = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ProductManualsGuideTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
DisplayName = ProductManualsGuide Internet Explorer Homepage and New Tab

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ProductManualsGuideTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
UninstallString = Rundll32.exe "%AppDataLocal%\ProductManualsGuideTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll" U uninstall:ProductManualsGuide

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ProductManualsGuideTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
Publisher = Mindspark Interactive Network, Inc.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ProductManualsGuideTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
HelpLink = http://support.{BLOCKED}ark.com/

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ProductManualsGuideTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
URLInfoAbout = http://support.{BLOCKED}ark.com/

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ProductManualsGuide
UnInstallSurveyUrl = https://@{downloadDomain}.dl.{BLOCKED}y.com/uninstall.jhtml?c={randomly generated ID}&ptb=^CQW^mni000^TTAB02

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Start Page = http://hp.{BLOCKED}y.com/productmanualsguide/ttab02/index.html?n={random}=^CQW^mni000^TTAB02&ptb={randomly generated ID}&coid={randomly generated ID}

Web Browser Home Page and Search Page Modification

This Potentially Unwanted Application modifies the user's Internet Explorer home page to the following websites:

  • http://hp.{BLOCKED}y.com/productmanualsguide/ttab02/index.html?n={random}=^CQW^mni000^TTAB02&ptb={randomly generated ID}&coid={randomly generated ID}

Other Details

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ProductManualsGuide

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ProductManualsGuideTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer

It connects to the following website to send and receive information:

  • https://dp.tb.{BLOCKED}k.com/installerParams.jhtml?coId={randomly generated ID}
  • https://anx.{BLOCKED}ark.com/anx.gif?anxa=CAPDownloadProcess&anxe={Installer Event}&errorCode={error code}&errorType={error type}=&platform=vicinio&anxv=2.8.1.1000&anxd=2019-04-19&coid=&refPartner=^CQW^mni000^TTAB02&refSub=&anxl=en-US&anxr={random}&refCobrand=CQW&refCampaign=mni000&refTrack=TTAB02&refCountry=
  • https://anx.{BLOCKED}ark.com/anx.gif?anxa=CAPDownloadProcess&anxe={Installer Event}&errorCode={error code}&errorType={error type}={malware filename}&platform=vicinio&anxv=2.8.1.1000&anxd=2019-04-19&coid={randomly generated ID}&refPartner=^CQW^mni000^TTAB02&refSub=&anxl=en-US&anxr={random}&refCobrand=CQW&refCampaign=mni000&refTrack=TTAB02&refCountry=
  • https://anx.{BLOCKED}ark.com/anx.gif?anxa=CAPDownloadProcess&anxe={Installer Event}&errorCode={error code}&errorType={error type}&errorDetails={error details}&platform=vicinio&anxv=2.8.1.1000&anxd=2019-04-19&coid={randomly generated ID}&refPartner=^CQW^mni000^TTAB02&refSub=&anxl=en-US&anxr={random}&refCobrand=CQW&refCampaign=mni000&refTrack=TTAB02&refCountry=
  • https://anx.{BLOCKED}ark.com/anx.gif?anxa=CAPDownloadProcess&anxe={Installer Event}&platform=vicinio&anxv=2.8.1.1000&anxd=2019-04-19&coid={randomly generated ID}&refPartner=^CQW^mni000^TTAB02&refSub=&anxl=en-US&anxr={random}&refCobrand=CQW&refCampaign=mni000&refTrack=TTAB02&refCountry=
  • https://anx.{BLOCKED}ark.com/anx.gif?anxa=CAPDownloadProcess&anxe={Installer Event}&tbUID={randomly generated ID}&tbVer=&platform=vicinio&anxv=2.8.1.1000&anxd=2019-04-19&coid={randomly generated ID}&refPartner=^CQW^mni000^TTAB02&refSub=&anxl=en-US&anxr={random}&refCobrand=CQW&refCampaign=mni000&refTrack=TTAB02&refCountry=
  • https://anx.tb.{BLOCKED}k.com/anx.gif?anxuu={random}&anxa={Installer Event}&anxv=Wtt-Unsupported-Page-1.0.0&anxd=-&anxsn=&anxu=http%3A%2F%2Fhp.myway.com%2Funsupported%2Fmyway%2Findex.html&anxl=en&anxlv=0&anxrd=none&anxrp=-&anxrk=-&anxrm=-&anxrb=-&anxrc=-&anxrs=-&anxsq=2&anxt={randomly generated ID}&anxp=%5ECQW%5Emni000%5ETTAB02&pageType=tab&anxe=PageView&anxr={random}

It redirects browsers to the following sites:

  • http://hp.{BLOCKED}y.com/unsupported/myway/index.html?n={random}=^CQW^mni000^TTAB02&ptb={randomly generated ID}&coid={randomly generated ID}
  • https://hp.{BLOCKED}y.com/unsupported/myway/

It does the following:

  • It displays the following upon execution:
    {websearch.png}

    It does not proceed to installation unless user agrees to make ProductManualGuide its homepage

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

SSAPI PATTERN File:

2.503.00

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

07 Apr 2022

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 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 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\Internet Explorer\Main
    • Start Page = http://hp.myway.com/productmanualsguide/ttab02/index.html?n={random}=^CQW^mni000^TTAB02&ptb={randomly generated ID}&coid={randomly generated ID}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ProductManualsGuide
    • Start Page = http://hp.myway.com/productmanualsguide/ttab02/index.html?n={random}=^CQW^mni000^TTAB02&ptb={randomly generated ID}&coid={randomly generated ID}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing
    • NewTabPageShow = 1
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ProductManualsGuideTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
    • DisplayName = ProductManualsGuide Internet Explorer Homepage and New Tab
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ProductManualsGuideTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
    • UninstallString = Rundll32.exe "%AppDataLocal%\ProductManualsGuideTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll" U uninstall:ProductManualsGuide
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ProductManualsGuideTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
    • Publisher = Mindspark Interactive Network, Inc.
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ProductManualsGuideTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
    • HelpLink = http://support.mindspark.com/
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ProductManualsGuideTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
    • URLInfoAbout = http://support.mindspark.com/
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ProductManualsGuide
    • UnInstallSurveyUrl = https://@{downloadDomain}.dl.myway.com/uninstall.jhtml?c={randomly generated ID}&ptb=^CQW^mni000^TTAB02

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.

  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ProductManualsGuide
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ProductManualsGuideTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer

Step 5

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 Temp%\nsw{random}.tmp\nsDialogs.dll
  • %User Temp%\nsw{random}.tmp\System.dll
  • %User Temp%\nsw{random}.tmp\installerParams
  • %User Temp%\nsw{random}.tmp\reporting
  • %User Temp%\nsw{random}.tmp\cancel_blue_{random}.bmp
  • %User Temp%\nsw{random}.tmp\Install_ENG_{random}.bmp
  • %User Temp%\nsw{random}.tmp\ProductManualsGuide-01_{random}.bmp
  • %User Temp%\nsw{random}.tmp\ProductManualsGuide-02_{random}.bmp
  • %AppDataLocal%\ProductManualsGuideTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll

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%\ProductManualsGuideTooltab

Step 7

Reset the Internet Explorer Home and Search pages

[ Learn More ]

Step 8

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as PUA.Win32.MyWebSearch.IU.component. 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 the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:


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