ADW_MSIDEBAR


 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:

197,828 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

07 Sep 2013

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:

  • %User Temp%\$inst
  • %Program Files%\Winsearchone

(Note: %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, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.. %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).)

Autostart Technique

This adware registers itself as a BHO to ensure its automatic execution every time Internet Explorer is used by adding the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{ECB191F3-14CF-427E-AAC4-3D04154ACD30}

Other System Modifications

This adware deletes the following files:

  • %User Temp%\$inst\0.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\1.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\3.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\4.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\5.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\6.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\7.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\8.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\9.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\10.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\11.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\12.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\13.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\14.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\15.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\16.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\17.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\20.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\50.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\21.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\51.tmp

(Note: %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, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.)

It adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Winsearch

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{24D3A65B-4F67-4339-AF2E-188F5022D961}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{24D3A65B-4F67-4339-AF2E-188F5022D961}\8.0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{24D3A65B-4F67-4339-AF2E-188F5022D961}\8.0\
FLAGS

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{24D3A65B-4F67-4339-AF2E-188F5022D961}\8.0\
0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{24D3A65B-4F67-4339-AF2E-188F5022D961}\8.0\
0\win32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{24D3A65B-4F67-4339-AF2E-188F5022D961}\8.0\
HELPDIR

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{DB2394A1-1E26-4F50-9282-92891071C9E5}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{DB2394A1-1E26-4F50-9282-92891071C9E5}\ProxyStubClsid

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{DB2394A1-1E26-4F50-9282-92891071C9E5}\ProxyStubClsid32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{DB2394A1-1E26-4F50-9282-92891071C9E5}\TypeLib

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{ECB191F3-14CF-427E-AAC4-3D04154ACD30}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{ECB191F3-14CF-427E-AAC4-3D04154ACD30}\InprocServer32

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\winsearchoneprg.winsearchone

It adds the following registry entries:

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Winsearch
DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\Winsearchone\Uninstall.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Winsearch
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\Winsearchone\Uninstall.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Winsearch
NoModify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Winsearch
NoRepair = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{DB2394A1-1E26-4F50-9282-92891071C9E5}\TypeLib
Version = "8.0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{ECB191F3-14CF-427E-AAC4-3D04154ACD30}
ProgID = "winsearchoneprg.winsearchone"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{ECB191F3-14CF-427E-AAC4-3D04154ACD30}\InprocServer32
ThreadingModel = "Apartment"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{ECB191F3-14CF-427E-AAC4-3D04154ACD30}
TypeLib = "{24D3A65B-4F67-4339-AF2E-188F5022D961}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{ECB191F3-14CF-427E-AAC4-3D04154ACD30}
VERSION = "8.0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
winsearchoneprg.winsearchone
Clsid = "{ECB191F3-14CF-427E-AAC4-3D04154ACD30}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{DB2394A1-1E26-4F50-9282-92891071C9E5}
ProxyStubClsid = "{00020424-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{DB2394A1-1E26-4F50-9282-92891071C9E5}
ProxyStubClsid32 = "{00020424-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

Dropping Routine

This adware drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\$inst\2.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\temp_0.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Winsearchone\Uninstall.ini

(Note: %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, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.. %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).)

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.300

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

Close all opened browser windows

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
    • Winsearch
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib
    • {24D3A65B-4F67-4339-AF2E-188F5022D961}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{24D3A65B-4F67-4339-AF2E-188F5022D961}
    • 8.0
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{24D3A65B-4F67-4339-AF2E-188F5022D961}\8.0
    • FLAGS
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{24D3A65B-4F67-4339-AF2E-188F5022D961}\8.0
    • 0
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{24D3A65B-4F67-4339-AF2E-188F5022D961}\8.0\0
    • win32
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{24D3A65B-4F67-4339-AF2E-188F5022D961}\8.0
    • HELPDIR
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface
    • {DB2394A1-1E26-4F50-9282-92891071C9E5}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{DB2394A1-1E26-4F50-9282-92891071C9E5}
    • ProxyStubClsid
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{DB2394A1-1E26-4F50-9282-92891071C9E5}
    • ProxyStubClsid32
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{DB2394A1-1E26-4F50-9282-92891071C9E5}
    • TypeLib
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {ECB191F3-14CF-427E-AAC4-3D04154ACD30}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{ECB191F3-14CF-427E-AAC4-3D04154ACD30}
    • InprocServer32
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • winsearchoneprg.winsearchone

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\Uninstall\Winsearch
    • DisplayName = "Winsearch"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Winsearch
    • DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\Winsearchone\Uninstall.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Winsearch
    • UninstallString = "%Program Files%\Winsearchone\Uninstall.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Winsearch
    • NoModify = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Winsearch
    • NoRepair = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{DB2394A1-1E26-4F50-9282-92891071C9E5}\TypeLib
    • Version = "8.0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{ECB191F3-14CF-427E-AAC4-3D04154ACD30}
    • ProgID = "winsearchoneprg.winsearchone"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{ECB191F3-14CF-427E-AAC4-3D04154ACD30}\InprocServer32
    • ThreadingModel = "Apartment"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{ECB191F3-14CF-427E-AAC4-3D04154ACD30}
    • TypeLib = "{24D3A65B-4F67-4339-AF2E-188F5022D961}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{ECB191F3-14CF-427E-AAC4-3D04154ACD30}
    • VERSION = "8.0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\winsearchoneprg.winsearchone
    • Clsid = "{ECB191F3-14CF-427E-AAC4-3D04154ACD30}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{DB2394A1-1E26-4F50-9282-92891071C9E5}
    • ProxyStubClsid = "{00020424-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{DB2394A1-1E26-4F50-9282-92891071C9E5}
    • ProxyStubClsid32 = "{00020424-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

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%\$inst\2.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\temp_0.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Winsearchone\Uninstall.ini

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.
  • %User Temp%\$inst
  • %Program Files%\Winsearchone

Step 7

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

  • %User Temp%\$inst\0.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\1.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\3.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\4.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\5.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\6.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\7.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\8.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\9.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\10.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\11.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\12.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\13.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\14.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\15.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\16.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\17.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\20.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\50.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\21.tmp
  • %User Temp%\$inst\51.tmp


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