ADW_CLICKER

May 09, 2013
 Analysis by: Michael Cabel
 Modified by: Rika Joi Gregorio
 ALIASES:

TrojanClicker:Win32/Clickelkite.A(Microsoft), Trojan.Win32.Clicker!BT(Sunbelt), AdWare.Win32.Massfav(Ikarus)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)

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

  • Threat Type: Adware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • 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. It may be manually installed by a user.

It does not have any propagation routine.

It does not have any backdoor routine.

It does not have any downloading capability.

It does not have any information-stealing capability.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

163,800 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

30 Apr 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.

It may be manually installed by a user.

Installation

This adware drops the following files:

  • %Desktop%\11번가.url
  • %Desktop%\G마켓.url
  • %Desktop%\옥션.url
  • %Desktop%\위메프.url
  • %Favorites%\11번가.url
  • %Favorites%\G마켓.url
  • %Favorites%\GS Shop.url
  • %Favorites%\옥션.url
  • %Favorites%\Hmall.url
  • %Favorites%\롯데홈쇼핑.url
  • %Favorites%\이마트.url
  • %Favorites%\신세계몰.url
  • %Favorites%\AK몰.url
  • %Favorites%\하프클럽.url
  • {malware path}\IlikeClick.ini
  • %Program Files%\ILikeClick\11market.ico
  • %Program Files%\ILikeClick\akmall.ico
  • %Program Files%\ILikeClick\Auction.ICO
  • %Program Files%\ILikeClick\emart.ico
  • %Program Files%\ILikeClick\gmarket_mone.ico
  • %Program Files%\ILikeClick\GS홈쇼핑.ico
  • %Program Files%\ILikeClick\halfclub.ico
  • %Program Files%\ILikeClick\IlikeClick.ini
  • %Program Files%\ILikeClick\uninstall.exe
  • %Program Files%\ILikeClick\Update.exe
  • %Program Files%\ILikeClick\신세계몰.ico
  • %Program Files%\ILikeClick\위메프.ico
  • %Program Files%\ILikeClick\현대홈쇼핑.ico
  • %Program Files%\ILikeClick\롯데홈쇼핑.ico
  • %User Temp%\nsi10.tmp\System.dll

(Note: %Desktop% is the current user's desktop, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Desktop on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop on Windows Vista and 7.. %Favorites% is the current user's Favorites folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Favorites on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\Favorites on Windows Vista and 7.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (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, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.)

It drops and executes the following files:

  • %Program Files%\ILikeClick\install.exe
  • %Program Files%\ILikeClick\ToolbarRestore.exe
  • %System Root%\weersdins.bat - used to delete %Program Files%\ILikeClick\install.exe

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (64-bit).. %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %Program Files%\ILikeClick

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (64-bit).)

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
ToolbarRestore = "%Program Files%\ILikeClick\ToolbarRestore.exe"

Other System Modifications

This adware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IlikeClick

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Win shopping icon guide

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IlikeClick
ICMA = "{random characters}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IlikeClick
ICMC = "{random characters}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IlikeClick
IsFirstTime = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Win shopping icon guide
DisplayName = "Win shopping icon guide"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Win shopping icon guide
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\ILikeClick\uninstall.exe"

Propagation

This adware does not have any propagation routine.

Backdoor Routine

This adware does not have any backdoor routine.

Download Routine

This adware does not have any downloading capability.

Information Theft

This adware does not have any information-stealing capability.

NOTES:

This adware connects to several web sites. This is done to generate clicks on the visited websites to generate revenues.

Once the Internet shortcuts are clicked, it will accessed the following URLs:

  • http://cl.ilikeclick.com/?dts_code=10{random digits}604000022740000000000000&ilc_cusVar1=&target_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.auction.co.kr
  • http://cl.ilikeclick.com/?dts_code=10{random digits}604000022740000000000000&ilc_cusVar1=&target_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.11st.co.kr
  • http://cl.ilikeclick.com/?dts_code=10{random digits}604000022740000000000000&ilc_cusVar1=&target_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wemakeprice.com
  • http://cl.ilikeclick.com/?dts_code=10{random digits}604000022740000000000000&ilc_cusVar1=&target_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gmarket.co.kr
  • http://cl.ilikeclick.com/?dts_code=10{random digits}604000022740000000000000&ilc_cusVar1=&target_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lotteimall.com%2F+
  • http://cl.ilikeclick.com/?dts_code=10{random digits}604000022740000000000000&ilc_cusVar1=&target_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmall.shinsegae.com
  • http://cl.ilikeclick.com/?dts_code=10{random digits}604000022740000000000000&ilc_cusVar1=&target_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emartmall.com%2Findex.jsp%3Fpid%3Dilikeclick%26ckwhere%3Dilikeclick%26sid%3Dil001
  • http://cl.ilikeclick.com/?dts_code=10{random digits}604000022740000000000000&ilc_cusVar1=&target_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.akmall.com
  • http://cl.ilikeclick.com/?dts_code=10{random digits}604000022740000000000000&ilc_cusVar1=&target_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.halfclub.com
  • http://cl.ilikeclick.com/?dts_code=10{random digits}604000022740000000000000&ilc_cusVar1=&target_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gsshop.com
  • http://cl.ilikeclick.com/?dts_code=10{random digits}604000022740000000000000&ilc_cusVar1=&target_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hyundaihmall.com

It does not have rootkit capabilities.

It does not exploit any vulnerability.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.200

SSAPI PATTERN File:

1.396.39

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

30 Apr 2013

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

Remove ADW_CLICKER by using its own Uninstall option

[ Learn More ]
To uninstall the grayware process

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\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • Win shopping icon guide

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%\ILikeClick

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%\nsi10.tmp\System.dll

Step 6

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