Modified by: Karl Dominguez
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Adware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This adware may be downloaded by other malware/grayware/spyware from remote sites. It may be dropped by other malware. It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

It registers itself as a Browser Helper Object (BHO) to ensure its automatic execution every time Internet Explorer is run. It does this by creating registry keys/entries.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 2,626,560 bytes
File Type: DLL
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 02 Jul 2011

Arrival Details

This adware may be downloaded by other malware/grayware/spyware from remote sites.

It may be dropped by other malware.

It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.

Autostart Technique

This adware registers itself as a Browser Helper Object (BHO) to ensure its automatic execution every time Internet Explorer is run. It does this by creating the following registry key(s)/entry(ies):

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{afe5dc81-813e-3d08-0d56-2c3364f9fc97}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{afe5dc81-813e-3d08-0d56-2c3364f9fc97}
NoExplorer = 0

Other System Modifications

This adware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{afe5dc81-813e-3d08-0d56-2c3364f9fc97}

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{afe5dc81-813e-3d08-0d56-2c3364f9fc97}
(default) = "yourprofitclub"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{afe5dc81-813e-3d08-0d56-2c3364f9fc97}\
InProcServer32
ThreadingModel = "Apartment"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{afe5dc81-813e-3d08-0d56-2c3364f9fc97}\
InProcServer32
(default) = "{malware path and file name}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\
4b856576
{random characters} = "{random characters}"

Adware Routine

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

  • http://{BLOCKED}ofitclub.net/c2TWQb9Vf/brinstaller.cfc

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 8.900

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\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects
    • {afe5dc81-813e-3d08-0d56-2c3364f9fc97}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • AppDataLow
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {afe5dc81-813e-3d08-0d56-2c3364f9fc97}

Step 4

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