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:
 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: 6,536,784 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 14 Jul 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.

Installation

This adware drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %User Temp%\{malware file name}download_5\{malware file name}

(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, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %User Profile%\Application Data\Oxy
  • %User Temp%\{malware file name}download_5
  • %User Temp%\tmpB
  • %User Temp%\tmp14

(Note: %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.. %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.)

Other System Modifications

This adware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Escolade

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Ascensio System\
Task Scheduler

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Escolade
GUID = "f73ac5e202b011e4a6d60050569f6011"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Ascensio System\
Task Scheduler
SchedulerState = "2"

Dropping Routine

This adware drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\{malware file name}_000184.log
  • %User Temp%\htmlayout.dll
  • %User Profile%\Oxy\config.xml
  • %Windows%\Tasks\PileFile reminder.job
  • %Windows%\Tasks\PileFile logon.job
  • %User Temp%\tmpE.exe
  • %User Temp%\tmp17.exe

(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, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.. %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.. %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows.)

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

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_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • Escolade
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Ascensio System
    • Task Scheduler

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\Escolade
    • GUID = "f73ac5e202b011e4a6d60050569f6011"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Ascensio System\Task Scheduler
    • SchedulerState = "2"

Step 4

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%\{malware file name}_000184.log
  • %User Temp%\htmlayout.dll
  • %User Profile%\Oxy\config.xml
  • %Windows%\Tasks\PileFile reminder.job
  • %Windows%\Tasks\PileFile logon.job
  • %User Temp%\tmpE.exe
  • %User Temp%\tmp17.exe

Step 5

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 Profile%\Application Data\Oxy
  • %User Temp%\{malware file name}download_5
  • %User Temp%\tmpB
  • %User Temp%\tmp14

Step 6

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