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ADW_SEARCHYA

November 19, 2012
 Analysis by: Jaime Benigno Reyes
 ALIASES:

Riskware/Searchya (Fortinet), WebToolbar.Win32.Searchya (Ikarus)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

 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:

18,13,288 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

15 Nov 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.

Installation

This adware drops the following files:

  • %Program Files%\IRONSOURCE\searchya\1.5.13.0\bh\searchya.dll
  • %Program Files%\IRONSOURCE\searchya\1.5.13.0\ESCORTSHLD.DLL
  • %Program Files%\IRONSOURCE\searchya\1.5.13.0\SEARCHYAAPP.DLL
  • %Program Files%\IRONSOURCE\searchya\1.5.13.0\SEARCHYAENG.DLL
  • %Program Files%\IRONSOURCE\searchya\1.5.13.0\SEARCHYASRV.EXE
  • %Program Files%\IRONSOURCE\searchya\1.5.13.0\SEARCHYATLBR.DLL
  • %Program Files%\IRONSOURCE\searchya\1.5.13.0\UNINSTALL.EXE
  • %System Root%\sqlite3.dll
  • %System Root%\user.js
  • %User Temp%\IRONSOURCE\searchya\1.5.13.0\SEARCHYA4FFX.EXE
  • %User Temp%\IRONSOURCE\searchya\1.5.13.0\SEARCHYA4IE.EXE
  • %User Temp%\ns{random letter}{random number}.tmp\InetLoad.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random letter}{random number}.tmp\mt.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random letter}{random number}.tmp\nsisos.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random letter}{random number}.tmp\System.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random letter}{random number}.tmp\Time.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random letter}{random number}.tmp\UserInfo.dll

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.. %System Root% is the root folder, which is usually C:\. It is also where the operating system is located.. %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.)

Other Details

This adware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://reports.{BLOCKED}ra.com/reports

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

SSAPI PATTERN File:

1.346.02

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

15 Nov 2012

Step 1

For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.

Step 2

Close all opened browser windows

Step 3

Remove ADW_SEARCHYA by using its own Uninstall option

[ Learn More ]
To uninstall the grayware process

Step 4

Search and delete this file

[ Learn More ]

There may be some component 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.
  • %System Root%\sqlite3.dll
  • %System Root%\user.js

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.
  • %User Temp%\IRONSOURCE
  • %User Temp%\ns{random letter}{random number}.tmp

Step 6

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