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ADW_BROWGUARD

December 02, 2015
 PLATFORM:

Windows

 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:

3,384,832 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

02 Dec 2015

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 creates the following folders:

  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\Resources
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\BrowserSafeguard

(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.. %Start Menu% is the Start Menu folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu 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.)

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
BrowserSafeguard = "%Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\BrowserSafeguard.exe "

Other System Modifications

This adware deletes the following files:

  • %Windows%\Tasks\Temp{337ff8ac-57b2-47e6-b87f-3fbab520e460}.job

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

It adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
BrowserSafeguard

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
SystemCertificates\ROOT\Certificates\
56FFCCABFF7CC96D17221010697D81D5EBA26AD2

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Browsersafeguard

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\BrowsersafeguardInstalled

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
ESENT\Process\BrowserSafeguard

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
ESENT\Process\BrowserSafeguard\
DEBUG

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
FiddlerCore\Dynamic

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
BrowserSafeguard
InstallDate = "20151011"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
BrowserSafeguard
DisplayName = "BrowserSafeguard"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
BrowserSafeguard
DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\uninstall.BrowserSafeguard.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
BrowserSafeguard
Publisher = "BrowserSafeguard"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
BrowserSafeguard
InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\Browsersafeguard"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
BrowserSafeguard
UninstallString = "{random characters}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
BrowserSafeguard
EstimatedSize = "12c"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
SystemCertificates\ROOT\Certificates\
56FFCCABFF7CC96D17221010697D81D5EBA26AD2
Blob = "{random values}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Browsersafeguard
userid = "df3bcdf5-397c-4302-9b64-83f34486dbef"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Browsersafeguard
uc = "20151110"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Browsersafeguard
implementationid = "browsersafeguard-dl"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
FiddlerCore\Dynamic
Attached = "1"

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
ProxyEnable = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\Eventlog\Application\
ESENT
EventMessageFile = "%System%\ESENT.dll"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {random values}.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\Eventlog\Application\
ESENT
CategoryMessageFile = "%System%\ESENT.dll"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {random values}.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\Eventlog\Application\
ESENT
CategoryCount = "1"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 10.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\Eventlog\Application\
ESENT
TypesSupported = "7"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 7.)

Dropping Routine

This adware drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\System.Data.SQLite.dll
  • %Program Files%\9d6b9311-1514-4727-a0d3-0f048b27201c.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\BrowserSafeguard.exe.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\ewebstorewrapper.dll.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\makecert.exe.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\Resources\certutil.exe.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\Resources\libnspr4.dll.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\Resources\libplc4.dll.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\Resources\libplds4.dll.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\Resources\nss3.dll.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\Resources\smime3.dll.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\Resources\softokn3.dll.tmp
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\BrowserSafeguard\BrowserSafeguard.lnk
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\uninstall.BrowserSafeguard.exe
  • %Windows%\Tasks\BrowserSafeguard Update Task.job
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\config.dat
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\TrustedRoot.cer

(Note: %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp 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.. %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.. %Start Menu% is the Start Menu folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu 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.. %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

Other Details

This adware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • {BLOCKED}9.32.15
  • {BLOCKED}1.251.30
  • {BLOCKED}.146.117
  • {BLOCKED}0.1

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.8

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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
    • BrowserSafeguard
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\ROOT\Certificates
    • 56FFCCABFF7CC96D17221010697D81D5EBA26AD2
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
    • Browsersafeguard
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE
    • BrowsersafeguardInstalled
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ESENT\Process
    • BrowserSafeguard
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ESENT\Process\BrowserSafeguard
    • DEBUG
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\FiddlerCore
    • Dynamic

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\Run
    • BrowserSafeguard = "%Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\BrowserSafeguard.exe "
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\BrowserSafeguard
    • InstallDate = "20151011"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\BrowserSafeguard
    • DisplayName = "BrowserSafeguard"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\BrowserSafeguard
    • DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\uninstall.BrowserSafeguard.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\BrowserSafeguard
    • Publisher = "BrowserSafeguard"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\BrowserSafeguard
    • InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\Browsersafeguard"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\BrowserSafeguard
    • UninstallString = "{random characters}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\BrowserSafeguard
    • EstimatedSize = "12c"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\ROOT\Certificates\56FFCCABFF7CC96D17221010697D81D5EBA26AD2
    • Blob = "{random values}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Browsersafeguard
    • userid = "df3bcdf5-397c-4302-9b64-83f34486dbef"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Browsersafeguard
    • uc = "20151110"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Browsersafeguard
    • implementationid = "browsersafeguard-dl"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\FiddlerCore\Dynamic
    • Attached = "1"

Step 5

Restore these modified registry values

[ Learn More ]

Important:Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this only if you know how to or you can seek your system administrator's help. You may also check out this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • ProxyEnable = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\Eventlog\Application\ESENT
    • From: EventMessageFile = "%System%\ESENT.dll"
      To: EventMessageFile = ""{random values}""
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\Eventlog\Application\ESENT
    • From: CategoryMessageFile = "%System%\ESENT.dll"
      To: CategoryMessageFile = ""{random values}""
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\Eventlog\Application\ESENT
    • From: CategoryCount = "1"
      To: CategoryCount = ""10""
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\Eventlog\Application\ESENT
    • From: TypesSupported = "7"
      To: TypesSupported = ""7""

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.
  • %User Temp%\System.Data.SQLite.dll
  • %Program Files%\9d6b9311-1514-4727-a0d3-0f048b27201c.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\BrowserSafeguard.exe.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\ewebstorewrapper.dll.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\makecert.exe.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\Resources\certutil.exe.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\Resources\libnspr4.dll.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\Resources\libplc4.dll.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\Resources\libplds4.dll.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\Resources\nss3.dll.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\Resources\smime3.dll.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\Resources\softokn3.dll.tmp
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\BrowserSafeguard\BrowserSafeguard.lnk
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\uninstall.BrowserSafeguard.exe
  • %Windows%\Tasks\BrowserSafeguard Update Task.job
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\config.dat
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\TrustedRoot.cer

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%\Browsersafeguard
  • %Program Files%\Browsersafeguard\Resources
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\BrowserSafeguard

Step 8

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as ADW_BROWGUARD. 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 this file from backup only Microsoft-related files will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted files related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on you computer again.

  • %Windows%\Tasks\Temp{337ff8ac-57b2-47e6-b87f-3fbab520e460}.job


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