PUA.Win32.PluginManager.E.component

January 06, 2021
 Analysis by: Thea Patrice Tajonera
 ALIASES:

Trojan.Dropper (IKARUS)

 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

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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

3,424,202 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Initial Samples Received Date:

12 Mar 2020

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 adds the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\{Random Characters}.tmp
  • %System%\PluginManager
  • %Program Files%\SignTool

(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).. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\{Random Characters}.tmp\processwork.dll
  • %System%\PluginManager\SignToolSetup.exe
  • %System%\PluginManager\PluginSetup.exe
  • %System%\PluginManager\Plugin.exe
  • %System%\PluginManager\MPlugin.exe
  • %System%\PluginManager\uninst.exe
  • %User Temp%\{Random Characters}.tmp\ExecCmd.dll
  • %Program Files%\SignTool\SignTool.exe
  • %Program Files%\SignTool\CTptkcs.dll
  • %Program Files%\SignTool\JsDevInfoDll.dll
  • %Program Files%\SignTool\libeay32.dll
  • %Program Files%\SignTool\libp11.dll
  • %Program Files%\SignTool\libcurl.dll
  • %Program Files%\SignTool\QRGenerator.dll
  • %Program Files%\SignTool\SSLeay32.dll
  • %Program Files%\SignTool\help.pdf
  • %Program Files%\SignTool\uninst.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(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).. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It adds the following processes:

  • "%System%\PluginManager\PluginSetup.exe" /S _?=C:\Windows\system32\PluginManager
  • %System%\PluginManager\Plugin.exe -i
  • %System%\PluginManager\MPlugin.exe -i
  • %System%\PluginManager\Plugin.exe -start
  • %System%\PluginManager\MPlugin.exe -start
  • "%System%\PluginManager\SignToolSetup.exe" /S _?=C:\Windows\system32\PluginManager
  • %System%\cmd.exe /C taskkill /F /IM SignTool.exe
  • taskkill /F /IM SignTool.exe
  • "%Program Files%\SignTool\SignTool.exe"

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

Autostart Technique

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
SignTool = %Program Files%\SignTool\SignTool.exe

Other System Modifications

This Potentially Unwanted Application deletes the following files:

  • %User Temp%\{Random Characters}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{Random Characters}.tmp\processwork.dll
  • %User Temp%\{Random Characters}.tmp\ExecCmd.dll
  • %System%\PluginManager\PluginSetup.exe
  • %System%\PluginManager\SignToolSetup.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(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).. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IXINNUO\
SIGNTOOL
Version = ST.EC.V.1.0.R

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IXINNUO\
SIGNTOOL
Path = %Program Files%\SignTool\SignTool.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IXINNUO\
SIGNTOOL
server = http://ec.i-xinnuo.com

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IXINNUO\
SIGNTOOL
port = 54355

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IXINNUO
signon = {Default}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\
SignTool.exe
{Default} = %Program Files%\SignTool\SignTool.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ÐÅŵǩµç×ÓºÏͬ·þÎñƽ̨
DisplayName = ÐÅŵǩµç×ÓºÏͬ·þÎñƽ̨ ST.EC.V.1.0.R

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ÐÅŵǩµç×ÓºÏͬ·þÎñƽ̨
UninstallString = %Program Files%\SignTool\uninst.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ÐÅŵǩµç×ÓºÏͬ·þÎñƽ̨
DisplayIcon = %Program Files%\SignTool\SingTool.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ÐÅŵǩµç×ÓºÏͬ·þÎñƽ̨
DisplayVersion = ST.EC.V.1.0.R

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ÐÅŵǩµç×ÓºÏͬ·þÎñƽ̨
URLInfoAbout = http://www.i-xinnuo.com

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ÐÅŵǩµç×ÓºÏͬ·þÎñƽ̨
Publisher = ${PRODUCT_PUBLISHER}

Other Details

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
services\eventlog\Application\
Plugin

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
services\eventlog\Application\
MPlugin

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\
Plugin.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
²å¼þ¹ÜÀíÈí¼þ

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IXINNUO

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\
SignTool.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ÐÅŵǩµç×ÓºÏͬ·þÎñƽ̨

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IXINNUO\
SIGNTOOL

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IXINNUO\
SIGNTOOL\contract

It connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://ec.{BLOCKED}o.com/e-contract/checkin/first

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

SSAPI PATTERN File:

2.366.50

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

07 Jan 2021

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IXINNUO
    • signon = {Default}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\SignTool.exe 
    • {Default} = %Program Files%\SignTool\SignTool.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ÐÅŵǩµç×ÓºÏͬ·þÎñƽ̨ 
    • DisplayName = ÐÅŵǩµç×ÓºÏͬ·þÎñƽ̨ ST.EC.V.1.0.R
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ÐÅŵǩµç×ÓºÏͬ·þÎñƽ̨   
    • UninstallString = %Program Files%\SignTool\uninst.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ÐÅŵǩµç×ÓºÏͬ·þÎñƽ̨ 
    • DisplayIcon = %Program Files%\SignTool\SingTool.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ÐÅŵǩµç×ÓºÏͬ·þÎñƽ̨   
    • DisplayVersion = ST.EC.V.1.0.R
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ÐÅŵǩµç×ÓºÏͬ·þÎñƽ̨ 
    • URLInfoAbout = http://www.i-xinnuo.com
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ÐÅŵǩµç×ÓºÏͬ·þÎñƽ̨ 
    • Publisher = ${PRODUCT_PUBLISHER}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IXINNUO\SIGNTOOL 
    • Version = ST.EC.V.1.0.R
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IXINNUO\SIGNTOOL 
    • Path = %Program Files%\SignTool\SignTool.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IXINNUO\SIGNTOOL 
    • server = http://ec.i-xinnuo.com
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IXINNUO\SIGNTOOL 
    • port = 54355

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. 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.

  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\eventlog\Application\Plugin
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\eventlog\Application\MPlugin
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Plugin.exe
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\²å¼þ¹ÜÀíÈí¼þ
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IXINNUO
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\SignTool.exe
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ÐÅŵǩµç×ÓºÏͬ·þÎñƽ̨
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IXINNUO\SIGNTOOL
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IXINNUO\SIGNTOOL\contract

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%\{Random Characters}.tmp\processwork.dll
  • %System%\PluginManager\SignToolSetup.exe
  • %System%\PluginManager\PluginSetup.exe
  • %System%\PluginManager\Plugin.exe
  • %System%\PluginManager\MPlugin.exe
  • %System%\PluginManager\uninst.exe
  • %User Temp%\{Random Characters}.tmp\ExecCmd.dll
  • %Program Files%\SignTool\SignTool.exe
  • %Program Files%\SignTool\CTptkcs.dll
  • %Program Files%\SignTool\JsDevInfoDll.dll
  • %Program Files%\SignTool\libeay32.dll
  • %Program Files%\SignTool\libp11.dll
  • %Program Files%\SignTool\libcurl.dll
  • %Program Files%\SignTool\QRGenerator.dll
  • %Program Files%\SignTool\SSLeay32.dll
  • %Program Files%\SignTool\help.pdf
  • %Program Files%\SignTool\uninst.exe

Step 6

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.
  • %User Temp%\{Random Characters}.tmp
  • %System%\PluginManager
  • %Program Files%\SignTool

Step 7

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as PUA.Win32.PluginManager.E.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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