Analysis by: Cris Nowell Pantanilla
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Adware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • 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: 204,208 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 12 Oct 2010

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 component file(s):

  • %Current Folder%\advantage.cfg
  • %Current Folder%\advantage.mht

Autostart Technique

This adware adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
AdVantage = "{Malware path and file name}"

Other System Modifications

This adware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AdVantage

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Explorer Bars\{D367A4AF-8202-4173-A115-9831108F1E0A}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
AdVantage

Adware Routine

This adware connects to the following URLs to download and display ads:

  • http://{BLOCKED}ig.{BLOCKED}dbyadvantage.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}ps.{BLOCKED}dbyadvantage.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}es.{BLOCKED}dbyadvantage.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}age.com/go.php

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 8.900
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 7.533.00
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 12 Oct 2010

Step 1

Identify and terminate files detected as ADW_ADVU

[ Learn More ]
  1. If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  2. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

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_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • AdVantage
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Explorer Bars
    • {D367A4AF-8202-4173-A115-9831108F1E0A}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • AdVantage

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • AdVantage="{malware path and file name}"

Step 4

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