Analysis by: Nikko Tamana
 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:

  • 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: 348,224 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 21 Aug 2012

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.

Other System Modifications

This adware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WindowsSuggestions

It adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WindowsSuggestions
serial = ""

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WindowsSuggestions
version = ""

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WindowsSuggestions
pid_idx = ""

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WindowsSuggestions
Run Date = "{Date of execution}"

Other Details

This adware requires the existence of the following files to properly run:

  • %Program Files%\Windows Suggestions\WinSuggestions.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).)