Modified by: David John Agni
ALIASES:

Win32/ELEX.BM potentially unwanted (ESET-NOD32), Adware/SearchProtect (Fortinet), Adware.SupSoft.C (F-Secure)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 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. It arrives as a component bundled with malware/grayware packages.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 2,575,584 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 04 Jun 2015

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.

It arrives as a component bundled with malware/grayware packages.

Installation

This Adware drops the following files:

  • %Program Files%\XTab\ffsearch_toolbar!1.0.0.1031.xpi
  • %Program Files%\XTab\msvcp110.dll
  • %Program Files%\XTab\msvcr110.dll
  • %Program Files%\XTab\ProtectService.exe
  • %Program Files%\XTab\searchProvider.xml
  • %Program Files%\XTab\uninstall.exe
  • %Program Files%\XTab\skin\about.png
  • %Program Files%\XTab\skin\about_bk.png
  • %Program Files%\XTab\skin\btn.png
  • %Program Files%\XTab\skin\btn_apply.png
  • %Program Files%\XTab\skin\close.png
  • %Program Files%\XTab\skin\conf.xml
  • %Program Files%\XTab\skin\conf_back.png
  • %Program Files%\XTab\skin\image
  • %Program Files%\XTab\skin\input_bk.png
  • %Program Files%\XTab\skin\logo.png
  • %Program Files%\XTab\skin\main.xml
  • %Program Files%\XTab\skin\radio_1.png
  • %Program Files%\XTab\skin\radio_2.png
  • %Program Files%\XTab\skin\rigth_arrow.png
  • %Program Files%\XTab\skin\settings.png

(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.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %Program Files%\XTab
  • %Program Files%\XTab\skin

(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 adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SupDp

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IHProtect

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SupDp
dir = "%Program Files%\XTab"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
services\IHProtect Service
ImagePath = "%Program Files%\XTab\ProtectService.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
services\IHProtect Service
DisplayName = "IHProtect Service"

Other Details

This Adware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • xa.{BLOCKED}oud.com

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.750
SSAPI PATTERN File: 1.630.49
SSAPI PATTERN Date: 04 Jun 2015

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

Note that not all files, folders, and registry keys and entries are installed on your computer during this malware's/spyware's/grayware's execution. This may be due to incomplete installation or other operating system conditions. If you do not find the same files/folders/registry information, please proceed to the next step.

Step 3

Delete this registry key

[ 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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
    • SupDp
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
    • IHProtect
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services
    • IHProtect Service

Step 4

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%\XTab
  • %Program Files%\XTab\skin

Step 5

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