ADW_ADDENDUM

March 17, 2014
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

 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:

303,104 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

12 Aug 2013

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.

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\{D5DD563F-B087-480A-A596-DC372BA3B191}

Other System Modifications

This adware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\nmwen

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{98A63FF2-12C5-4D01-8710-0220AC810997}\
Implemented Categories\{00021493-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{D5DD563F-B087-480A-A596-DC372BA3B191}
NoExplorer = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\nmwen
prg_first = "2"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\nmwen
em_flag = "0"

Other Details

This adware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://app2.{BLOCKED}n.co.kr/app/v2/neolinfo2.asp?mid=&ver=&etcbr=0

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

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

Close all opened browser windows

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.

  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software
    • nmwen
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{98A63FF2-12C5-4D01-8710-0220AC810997}\Implemented Categories
    • {00021493-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}

Step 4

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\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{D5DD563F-B087-480A-A596-DC372BA3B191}
    • NoExplorer = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\nmwen
    • prg_first = "2"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\nmwen
    • em_flag = "0"

Step 5

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