ADW_MEGASWELL
Adware:Win32/MegaSwell (Microsoft); PlayMP3z (Sunbelt); Adware/BHO (Fortinet)
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
Threat Type: Adware
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: No
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
This adware drops files onto the affected system. It adds certain registry keys
It displays a popup window with the message, This advertisement delivered by {random string}.
This adware may be dropped by other malware.
It displays advertisements on Internet browsers.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Varies
PE
No
08 Aug 2010
Displays graphics/image, Modifies system registry, Drops files
Arrival Details
This adware may be dropped by the following malware:
- TROJ_DLOADR.LUT
- TROJ_DLWIMAD.SMI
It may be downloaded from the following remote site(s):
- http://www.{BLOCKED}mesplayer.com/license.cgi
- http://www.{BLOCKED}tmp3player.com/license.cgi
- http://www.{BLOCKED}ablesongslive.com/license.cgi
- http://www.{BLOCKED}eatsongs.com/license.cgi
- http://www.{BLOCKED}ablesongslive.com/affiliates/772466/20/PLAY_MP3.exe
Installation
This adware drops the following files:
- %Program Files%\{random string}\{random string}.dll - also detected as ADW_MEGASWELL
(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.)
It drops the following non-malicious files:
- %Program Files%\PlayMP3z\PlayMP3.exe
- %Program Files%\PlayMP3z\uninstall.exe
- %Program Files%\PlayMP3z\confirm.xml
- %Program Files%\{random string}\uninstall.exe
- %Start Menu%\Programs\PlayMP3z\Run PlayMP3z.pif
(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.. %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows NT and C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)
It creates the following folders:
- %Start Menu%\Programs\PlayMP3z
- %Program Files%\{random string}
- %Program Files%\PlayMP3z
(Note: %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows NT and C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.. %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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{CLSID 1}
Other System Modifications
This adware adds the following registry keys:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{random string}.{random string}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{random string}.{random string}.1
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\{CLSID 2}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\{random string}.DLL
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID 1}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{CLSID 3}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{CLSID 4}
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MediaHoldings
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{random string}
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PlayMP3
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{random string}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
PlayMP3
It adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{CLSID 1}
(Default) = "{random string}"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{random string}.{random string}
(Default) = "{random string}"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{random string}.{random string}\CLSID
(Default) = "{CLSID 1}"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{random string}.{random string}\CurVer
(Default) = "{random string}.{random string}.1"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{random string}.{random string}.1
(Default) = "{random string}"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{random string}.{random string}.1\CLSID
(Default) = "{CLSID 1}"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\{CLSID 2}
(Default) = "{random string}"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\{random string}.DLL
AppID = "{CLSID 2}"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID 1}
(Default) = "{random string}"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID 1}
AppID = "{CLSID 2}"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID 1}\
InprocServer32
(Default) = "%Program Files%\{random string}\{random string}.dll"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID 1}\
TypeLib
(Default) = "{CLSID 4}"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{CLSID 3}
(Default) = "I{random string}Object"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{CLSID 3}\
TypeLib
(Default) = "{CLSID 4}"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{CLSID 4}\
1.0
(Default) = "{random string} 1.0 Type Library"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{CLSID 4}\
1.0\0\win32
(Default) = "%Program Files%\{random string}\{random string}.dll"
Adware Routine
This adware displays advertisements on Internet browsers.
NOTES:
{random string} can be any of the following:
- z2010MegawildAdverpopper
- ExcellentAdDisplay
- AFEB5519-7ADD-2E4A-0343-519132B684DE
- F31C8969-83E7-A513-2E11-CB6D1837C2CB
- 418D86BE-7386-4F1A-83E0-53604ADBDA74
- 80EEBD97-B5BC-356F-B14E-0C1865B88474
- 2C8D7294-4F74-4147-277D-3FFF39E6EACB
- 51B8AFA0-3E42-B9F4-6DD9-8D64820A9475
- 26F1DC82-56EA-6FB6-89AF-B039D3CB9ED9
- 5CD14984-6934-02E1-E75F-26EBA3856F2D
It displays a popup window with the message, This advertisement delivered by {random string}.
SOLUTION
8.900
1.144.34
01 Feb 2011
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
Remove malware/grayware files that dropped/downloaded ADW_MEGASWELL
Step 3
Close all opened browser windows
Step 4
Delete this registry key
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
- {random string}.{random string}
- {random string}.{random string}
- In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
- {random string}.{random string}.1
- {random string}.{random string}.1
- In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID
- {CLSID 2}
- {CLSID 2}
- In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID
- {random string}.DLL
- {random string}.DLL
- In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
- {CLSID 1}
- {CLSID 1}
- In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface
- {CLSID 3}
- {CLSID 3}
- In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib
- {CLSID 4}
- {CLSID 4}
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
- {random string}
- {random string}
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
- MediaHoldings
- MediaHoldings
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
- PlayMP3
- PlayMP3
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects
- {CLSID 1}
- {CLSID 1}
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
- {random string}
- {random string}
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
- PlayMP3
- PlayMP3
Step 5
Search and delete these folders
Step 6
Search and delete this file
- %Start Menu%\Programs\PlayMP3z\Run PlayMP3z.pif
Step 7
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as ADW_MEGASWELL. 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:
{random string} can be any of the following:
- z2010MegawildAdverpopper
- ExcellentAdDisplay
- AFEB5519-7ADD-2E4A-0343-519132B684DE
- F31C8969-83E7-A513-2E11-CB6D1837C2CB
- 418D86BE-7386-4F1A-83E0-53604ADBDA74
- 80EEBD97-B5BC-356F-B14E-0C1865B88474
- 2C8D7294-4F74-4147-277D-3FFF39E6EACB
- 51B8AFA0-3E42-B9F4-6DD9-8D64820A9475
- 26F1DC82-56EA-6FB6-89AF-B039D3CB9ED9
- 5CD14984-6934-02E1-E75F-26EBA3856F2D
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