PUA_REGCLEANPRO.GA

July 14, 2017
 Analysis by: Byron Jon Gelera
 ALIASES:

Trojan-FakeAV.Win32.Tweaker.b (Kaspersky); PUA.RegCleanPro (Symantec)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Potentially Unwanted Application

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Dropped by other malware, Downloaded from the Internet

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. It may be manually installed by a user.

It does not have any propagation routine.

It does not have any backdoor routine.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

3,853,824 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

12 Jul 2017

Payload:

Drops files, Executes files

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.

It may be manually installed by a user.

Installation

This Potentially Unwanted Application drops the following files:

  • %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\RegClean Pro\RegClean Pro.lnk
  • %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\RegClean Pro\Register RegClean Pro.lnk
  • %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\RegClean Pro\Uninstall RegClean Pro.lnk
  • %Desktop\RegClean Pro.lnk
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\unins000.msg
  • %System%\roboot.exe
  • %Application Data%\Systweak\RegClean Pro\Version 6.1\eng_rcp.dat
  • %Application Data%\Systweak\RegClean Pro\Version 6.1\rcpupdate.ini
  • %Application Data%\Systweak\RegClean Pro\Version 6.1\results.rcp
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\install_left_image.bmp
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\RegCleanPro.dll
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\isxdl.dll
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\CleanSchedule.exe
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\Chinese_rcp.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\Danish_rcp.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\Dutch_rcp.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\eng_rcp.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\French_rcp.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\German_rcp.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\Italian_rcp.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\Japanese_rcp.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\Norwegian_rcp.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\Portuguese_rcp.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\Spanish_rcp.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\Swedish_rcp.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\Finnish_rcp_fi.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\portugese_rcp_pt.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\russian_rcp_ru.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\greek_rcp_el.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\turkish_rcp_tr.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\polish_rcp_pl.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\korean_rcp_ko.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\TraditionalCn_rcp_zh-tw.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\Chinese_uninst.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\Danish_uninst.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\Dutch_uninst.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\eng_uninst.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\Finnish_uninst_fi.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\French_uninst.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\German_uninst.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\greek_uninst_el.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\Italian_uninst.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\Japanese_uninst.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\korean_uninst_ko.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\Norwegian_uninst.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\polish_uninst_pl.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\portugese_uninst_pt.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\Portuguese_uninst.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\russian_uninst_ru.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\spanish_uninst.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\swedish_uninst.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\traditionalcn_uninst_zh-tw.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\Turkish_uninst_tr.ini
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\xmllite.dll
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\TPS.ico
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\unins000.exe

(Note: %ProgramData% is the Program Data folder, where it usually is C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\ProgramData in Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.. %Program Files% is the Program Files folder, where it usually is C:\Program Files on all Windows operating system versions; C:\Program Files (x86) for 32-bit applications running on Windows 64-bit operating systems.. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.. %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)

It drops and executes the following files:

  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\RegCleanPro.exe

(Note: %Program Files% is the Program Files folder, where it usually is C:\Program Files on all Windows operating system versions; C:\Program Files (x86) for 32-bit applications running on Windows 64-bit operating systems.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\RegClean Pro
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro
  • %Application Data%\Systweak

(Note: %ProgramData% is the Program Data folder, where it usually is C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\ProgramData in Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.. %Program Files% is the Program Files folder, where it usually is C:\Program Files on all Windows operating system versions; C:\Program Files (x86) for 32-bit applications running on Windows 64-bit operating systems.. %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)

Other System Modifications

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Systweak

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RegClean Pro_is1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Systweak

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
ssd
ASOBUILDFOR = sdl_es

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
ssd
ASO3CAM = sdl_es

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
ssd
ASO3AFFILIATE = ""

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro
ErrorCount = 215

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
TELNO = (800) 871-7918

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
TELNOFR = +33 975 184 234

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
utm_source = sdl_es

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
utm_campaign = sdl_es

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
utm_medium = newbuild

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
RCPURL = {URL}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
RENEWALURL = {URL}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
StartAutoScanPMUI = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
StartAutoScanOnLaunch = 0

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
StartAutoTutorial = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
TrialType = 0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
MaxFixLimit = 15

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1\LANG
LangCode = en

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1\LANG
LangID = 0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
Expired = 0

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
StrLastScanResults = 215

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
SetChkDontShowRedTrayPopup = 0

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
SetChkREmovableMedia = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
SetChkSkipEmptyKeys = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
ImprovementProgram = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
StartWhenWinBoots = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
GoToSystemTrayOnClose = 0

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
SetEnableSound = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
ConfirmBkUps = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
StartScan = 0

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
StartMinimized = 0

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
AutoRepair = 0

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
StrLastScan = {Time and Date}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
StrLastScanResults = 215

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
StrLastOptimizeTime = ""

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
StrLatestRegDefrag = ""

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
StrLatestRestorePoint = ""

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
StrLastStartupOpt = ""

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
RegErrFoundTillDate = 215

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
RegErrsFixedTillDate = 0

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
RegErrsFixedLast = 0

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
ScheduledTime = ""

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\systweak\
RegClean Pro\Version 6.1
NumTimesRCPRunned = 2

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RegClean Pro_is1
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\RegClean Pro\unins000.exe" /silent

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RegClean-Pro_is1
Inno Setup: Setup Version = 5.5.4 (u)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RegClean-Pro_is1
Inno Setup: App Path = %Program Files%\RegClean Pro

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RegClean-Pro_is1
InstallLocation = %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RegClean-Pro_is1
Inno Setup: Icon Group = RegClean Pro

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RegClean-Pro_is1
Inno Setup: User = {username}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RegClean-Pro_is1
Inno Setup: Language = en

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RegClean-Pro_is1
DisplayName = RegClean-Pro

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RegClean-Pro_is1
DisplayIcon = %Program Files%\RegClean Pro\Regcleanpro.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RegClean-Pro_is1
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\RegClean Pro\unins000.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RegClean-Pro_is1
QuietUninstallString = "%Program Files%\RegClean Pro\unins000.exe" /SILENT

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RegClean-Pro_is1
DisplayVersion = 6.21

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RegClean-Pro_is1
Publisher = Systweak Inc

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RegClean-Pro_is1
URLInfoAbout = {URL}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RegClean-Pro_is1
HelpLink = {URL}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RegClean-Pro_is1
NoModify = 1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RegClean-Pro_is1
NoRepair = 1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RegClean-Pro_is1
MajorVersion = 6

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RegClean-Pro_is1
MinorVersion = 21

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RegClean-Pro_is1
EstimatedSize = 13374

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RegClean-Pro_is1
InstallDate = {Date}

Propagation

This Potentially Unwanted Application does not have any propagation routine.

Backdoor Routine

This Potentially Unwanted Application does not have any backdoor routine.

Other Details

This Potentially Unwanted Application does the following:

  • It connects to the following URL(s) to display its "Getting Started" page:
    • http://www.{BLOCKED}ak.com/registryCleaner/afterinstall.asp?newrcp=1&utm_content=AfterInstall&utm_term=Setup&page=install&utm_source=sdl_es&utm_campaign=sdl_es&utm_medium=newbuild&LangID=en
    • http://www.{BLOCKED}ak.com/registry-cleaner/after-install?newrcp=1&utm_content=AfterInstall&utm_term=Setup&page=install&utm_source=sdl_es&utm_campaign=sdl_es&utm_medium=newbuild&LangID=en

NOTES:
The Getting Started page contains the following:

It displays the following fake registry scanning window:

It requires the user to buy the full version to use the product:

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

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

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

Identify and terminate files detected as PUA_REGCLEANPRO.GA

[ 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\SOFTWARE
    • Systweak
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • systweak
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • RegClean-Pro_is1

Step 5

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.  
  • %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\RegClean Pro
  • %Program Files%\RegClean Pro
  • %Application Data%\Systweak

Step 6

Search and delete these files

[ 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.
  • %Desktop\RegClean Pro.lnk
  • %System%\roboot.exe

Step 7

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. DATA_GENERIC
  • In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer then press Enter.
  • Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
    *Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).

    • • For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:

    1. Open a Windows Explorer window.
      • For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
      • For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, then click File Explorer.
    2. In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
      DATA_GENERIC
    3. Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
      *Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.

    Step 8

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