ADW_ROCKETTAB


 ALIASES:

Adware-RocketTab. (McAfee); AdWare.MSIL.RocketTab.eg (Kaspersky); AdKnowledge (fs) (Sunbelt)

 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:

3,875,552 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

28 Oct 2014

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%\RocketTab
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\Resources

(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.)

Other System Modifications

This adware deletes the following files:

  • %Windows%\Tasks\Temp{2e9df1c2-e4c6-41c3-95c0-7d9ff4f4daa0}.job
  • %Windows%\Tasks\Temp{4aa2eb8c-effb-43bc-83a5-73536203e0d9}.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\
RocketTab

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
SystemCertificates\ROOT\Certificates\
207279E48004D9AB5B074160E99940277F52DDD0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\RocketTab

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Search Extensions

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\RocketTabInstalled

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
ESENT\Process\Client

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
ESENT\Process\Client\
DEBUG

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
FiddlerCore\Dynamic

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
RocketTab
InstallDate = "20140917"

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

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

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

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

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

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
SystemCertificates\ROOT\Certificates\
207279E48004D9AB5B074160E99940277F52DDD0
Blob = "{random values}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\RocketTab
userid = "af4764bc-d545-4e1e-8f95-538755819cfb"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\RocketTab
uc = "20141017"

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Search Extensions
RocketTab = "1"

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%\79d6b090-18e8-48d1-b67c-f31fdc5129e8.tmp
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\Client.exe
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\makecert.exe
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\Resources\certutil.exe
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\Resources\libnspr4.dll
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\Resources\libplc4.dll
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\Resources\libplds4.dll
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\Resources\nss3.dll
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\Resources\smime3.dll
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\Resources\softokn3.dll
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\uninstall.exe
  • %Windows%\Tasks\RocketTab.job
  • %Windows%\Tasks\RocketTab Update Task.job
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\config.dat
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\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.. %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}0.1

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.700

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

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
    • RocketTab
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\ROOT\Certificates
    • 207279E48004D9AB5B074160E99940277F52DDD0
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
    • RocketTab
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE
    • Search Extensions
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE
    • RocketTabInstalled
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ESENT\Process
    • Client
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ESENT\Process\Client
    • DEBUG
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\FiddlerCore
    • Dynamic

Step 3

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\Uninstall\RocketTab
    • InstallDate = "20140917"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\RocketTab
    • DisplayName = "RocketTab"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\RocketTab
    • DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\RocketTab\uninstall.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\RocketTab
    • Publisher = "RocketTab"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\RocketTab
    • InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\RocketTab"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\RocketTab
    • UninstallString = "{random characters}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\RocketTab
    • EstimatedSize = "12c"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\ROOT\Certificates\207279E48004D9AB5B074160E99940277F52DDD0
    • Blob = "{random values}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\RocketTab
    • userid = "af4764bc-d545-4e1e-8f95-538755819cfb"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\RocketTab
    • uc = "20141017"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\RocketTab
    • implementationid = "browsersafeguard-dl"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Search Extensions
    • RocketTab = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\FiddlerCore\Dynamic
    • Attached = "1"

Step 4

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 5

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%\79d6b090-18e8-48d1-b67c-f31fdc5129e8.tmp
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\Client.exe
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\makecert.exe
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\Resources\certutil.exe
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\Resources\libnspr4.dll
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\Resources\libplc4.dll
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\Resources\libplds4.dll
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\Resources\nss3.dll
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\Resources\smime3.dll
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\Resources\softokn3.dll
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\uninstall.exe
  • %Windows%\Tasks\RocketTab.job
  • %Windows%\Tasks\RocketTab Update Task.job
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\config.dat
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\TrustedRoot.cer

Step 6

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%\RocketTab
  • %Program Files%\RocketTab\Resources

Step 7

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as ADW_ROCKETTAB. 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 8

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{2e9df1c2-e4c6-41c3-95c0-7d9ff4f4daa0}.job
  • %Windows%\Tasks\Temp{4aa2eb8c-effb-43bc-83a5-73536203e0d9}.job


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