Adware.Win32.Unlocker.A

 Analysis by: Maureen Reyes

 ALIASES:

Adware-Adon. (McAfee); HEUR:WebToolbar.Win32.Asparnet.gen (Kaspersky)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

802,113 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

30 Aug 2019

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 adds the following processes:

  • %Program Files%\Unlocker\UnlockerAssistant.exe
  • "%User Temp%\FileUnlocker_Installer.exe" /silent

(Note: %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).. %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).)

It creates the following folders:

  • %Program Files%\Unlocker
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker

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

Autostart Technique

This Adware registers itself as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup by adding the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\UnlockerDriver5
ImagePath = "\??\%Program Files%\Unlocker\UnlockerDriver5.sys"

It adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
UnlockerAssistant = "%Program Files%\Unlocker\UnlockerAssistant.exe"

It registers as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup by adding the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\
Services\UnlockerDriver5

Other System Modifications

This Adware deletes the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\nsp8D96.tmp

(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).)

It adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Unlocker

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{GUID}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{GUID}\
InProcServer32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\classes\
clsid\UnlockerShellExtension

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFileSystemObjects\shellex\
ContextMenuHandlers\UnlockerShellExtension

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\folder\shellex\
ContextMenuHandlers\UnlockerShellExtension

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\
Unlocker.exe

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Unlocker
Language = "1033"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\UnlockerDriver5
Type = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Unlocker
OnlineVersion = "1.9.1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{GUID}
(Default) = "UnlockerShellExtension"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{GUID}\InProcServer32
(Default) = "%Program Files%\Unlocker\UnlockerCOM.dll"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{GUID}\InProcServer32
ThreadingModel = "Apartment"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\UnlockerShellExtension
(Default) = "{GUID}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\
UnlockerShellExtension
(Default) = "{GUID}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Folder\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\
UnlockerShellExtension
(Default) = "{GUID}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\
Approved
{GUID} = "UnlockerShellExtension"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\
Unlocker.exe
(Default) = "%Program Files%\Unlocker\Unlocker.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Unlocker
DisplayName = "Unlocker 1.9.1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Unlocker
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\Unlocker\uninst.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Unlocker
DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\Unlocker\Unlocker.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Unlocker
DisplayVersion = "1.9.1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Unlocker
URLInfoAbout = "http://unlocker.{BLOCKED}oop.com"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Unlocker
Publisher = "Cedrick Collomb"

It deletes the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Unlocker\OnlineVersion

Dropping Routine

This Adware drops the following files:

  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\QuickStores.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker\Start Unlocker.lnk
  • %Program Files%\Unlocker\UnlockerCOM.dll
  • %Program Files%\Unlocker\README.TXT
  • %Program Files%\Unlocker\Unlocker.exe
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker\Start Unlocker Assistant.lnk
  • %Program Files%\Unlocker\UnlockerAssistant.exe
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker\Website.lnk
  • %Program Files%\Unlocker\UnlockerDriver5.sys
  • %User Temp%\Quickstores.ico
  • %Program Files%\Unlocker\uninst.exe
  • %User Temp%\FileUnlocker_Installer.exe
  • %Start Menu%\QuickStores.lnk
  • %Program Files%\Unlocker\UnlockerHook.dll
  • %Program Files%\Unlocker\Unlocker.url
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker\README.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker\Uninstall.lnk
  • %Desktop%\QuickStores.lnk

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

Other Details

This Adware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://www.{BLOCKED}a.com/clients/config/configservice.asmx
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}ic.com

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

SSAPI PATTERN File:

2.207.00

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

22 Aug 2019

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

Identify and terminate files detected as Adware.Win32.Unlocker.A

[ Learn More ]
  1. Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
  2. If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

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.

  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services
    • UnlockerDriver5
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • Unlocker
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {GUID}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{GUID}
    • InProcServer32
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\classes\clsid
    • UnlockerShellExtension
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFileSystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers
    • UnlockerShellExtension
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\folder\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers
    • UnlockerShellExtension
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths
    • Unlocker.exe

Step 5

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\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • UnlockerAssistant = "%Program Files%\Unlocker\UnlockerAssistant.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Unlocker
    • Language = "1033"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\UnlockerDriver5
    • Type = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Unlocker
    • OnlineVersion = "1.9.1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\GUID}
    • (Default) = "UnlockerShellExtension"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\GUID}\InProcServer32
    • (Default) = "%Program Files%\Unlocker\UnlockerCOM.dll"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\GUID}\InProcServer32
    • ThreadingModel = "Apartment"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\UnlockerShellExtension
    • (Default) = "{GUID}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\UnlockerShellExtension
    • (Default) = "{GUID}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Folder\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\UnlockerShellExtension
    • (Default) = "{GUID}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Approved
    • {GUID} = "UnlockerShellExtension"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Unlocker.exe
    • (Default) = "%Program Files%\Unlocker\Unlocker.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Unlocker
    • DisplayName = "Unlocker 1.9.1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Unlocker
    • UninstallString = "%Program Files%\Unlocker\uninst.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Unlocker
    • DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\Unlocker\Unlocker.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Unlocker
    • DisplayVersion = "1.9.1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Unlocker
    • URLInfoAbout = "http://unlocker.{BLOCKED}oop.com"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Unlocker
    • Publisher = "Cedrick Collomb"

Step 6

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.
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\QuickStores.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker\Start Unlocker.lnk
  • %Program Files%\Unlocker\UnlockerCOM.dll
  • %Program Files%\Unlocker\README.TXT
  • %Program Files%\Unlocker\Unlocker.exe
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker\Start Unlocker Assistant.lnk
  • %Program Files%\Unlocker\UnlockerAssistant.exe
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker\Website.lnk
  • %Program Files%\Unlocker\UnlockerDriver5.sys
  • %User Temp%\Quickstores.ico
  • %Program Files%\Unlocker\uninst.exe
  • %User Temp%\FileUnlocker_Installer.exe
  • %Start Menu%\QuickStores.lnk
  • %Program Files%\Unlocker\UnlockerHook.dll
  • %Program Files%\Unlocker\Unlocker.url
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker\README.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker\Uninstall.lnk
  • %Desktop%\QuickStores.lnk

Step 7

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.
  • %Program Files%\Unlocker
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker

Step 8

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as Adware.Win32.Unlocker.A. 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.

Step 9

Restore these deleted registry keys/values from backup

*Note: Only Microsoft-related keys/values will be restored. If the malware/grayware also deleted registry keys/values related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on your computer.

  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Unlocker
    • OnlineVersion


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