Analysis by: Abraham Latimer Camba
 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.

It connects to certain URLs. It may do this to remotely inform a malicious user of its installation. It may also do this to download possibly malicious files onto the computer, which puts the computer at a greater risk of infection by other threats.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 222,192 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 28 Mar 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:

  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\ACCEPT.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\ACCEPT_on.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\AGREE_on.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\BACK.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\background.ole
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\BACKNEXT_on.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\BLANK.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\CANCEL.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\DECLINE.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\DISAGREE.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\FINISH_on.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\inetc.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\linker.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\NEXT_off.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\NEXT_on.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\NO.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\nsDialogs.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\pwgen.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\S_{malware filename}.zip.ini
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\System.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\YES_on.bmp

(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.)

It drops and executes the following files:

  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\rkverify.exe

(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.)

Other System Modifications

This adware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\dlQUE

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\dlQUE
PGMid = "{random characters}"

Download Routine

This adware connects to the following malicious URLs:

  • http://www.{BLOCKED}es.com/site_installerapp_images/A/{malware filename}.jpg
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}es.com/404.php
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}es.com/site_installerapp_images/default.jpg
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}es.com/site_installerapp_info/A/{malware filename}.ini
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}es.com/404.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}l.webdevaz.netdna-cdn.com/site_advertisers/rkverify.exe

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200
SSAPI PATTERN File: 1.276.04
SSAPI PATTERN Date: 30 Mar 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

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as ADW_FACEMOODS

Step 3

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 4

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
    • dlQUE

Step 5

Search and delete these files

[ 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.
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\ACCEPT.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\ACCEPT_on.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\AGREE_on.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\BACK.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\background.ole
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\BACKNEXT_on.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\BLANK.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\CANCEL.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\DECLINE.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\DISAGREE.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\FINISH_on.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\inetc.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\linker.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\NEXT_off.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\NEXT_on.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\NO.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\nsDialogs.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\pwgen.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\rkverify.exe
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\S_{malware filename}.zip.ini
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\System.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{2 random characters}\YES_on.bmp

Step 6

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as ADW_FACEMOODS. 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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