ADWARE_BHOT_SEARCHBARUS

October 08, 2012
 Analysis by: jasperm
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Adware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

It drops files.

It displays pop-up advertisements.

It also monitors and collects data on users' Internet browsing activities.

This adware may be dropped by other malware. It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

Varies

File Type:

PE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Payload:

Steals information, Drops files

Arrival Details

This adware may be dropped by other malware.

It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

Installation

This adware drops the following files:

  • %Program Files%\IEToolbar\inst.bat - non-malicious
  • %Program Files%\IEToolbar\searchbarus.dll - dll component also detected as ADWARE_BHOT_SEARCHBARUS
  • %Program Files%\IEToolbar\searchbarus.inf - non-malicious

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %Program Files%\IEToolbar

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.)

Autostart Technique

This adware registers itself as a BHO to ensure its automatic execution every time Internet Explorer is used by adding the following registry keys:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{7CBBB3F1-0E68-43FA-B034-4D3EC394D085}\
InProcServer32
@ = %Program Files%\IEToolbar\searchbarus.dll

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Toolbar
{7CBBB3F1-0E68-43FA-B034-4D3EC394D085} = SearchBar.us Internet Explorer ToolBand

Other System Modifications

This adware adds the following registry keys as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{7CBBB3F1-0E68-43FA-B034-4D3EC394D085}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Toolbar

Other Details

This adware does the following:

  • It displays pop-up advertisements.
  • It also monitors and collects data on users' Internet browsing activities.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

8.900

Step 1

For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.

Step 2

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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. Before you could do this, you must restart in Safe Mode. For instructions on how to do this, you may refer to this page If the preceding step requires you to restart in safe mode, you may proceed to edit the system registry.

 
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {7CBBB3F1-0E68-43FA-B034-4D3EC394D085}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer
    • Toolbar

Step 4

Search and delete this folder

[ 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.  %Program Files%\IEToolbar

Step 5

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