ADW_MEGASWELL

October 08, 2012

Analysis by: Christopher Daniel So

ALIASES:

Adware:Win32/MegaSwell (Microsoft); PlayMP3z (Sunbelt); Adware/BHO (Fortinet)

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 drops files onto the affected system. It adds certain registry keys

It displays a popup window with the message, This advertisement delivered by {random string}.

This adware may be dropped by other malware.

It displays advertisements on Internet browsers.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: Varies

File Type: PE

Memory Resident: No

Initial Samples Received Date: 08 Aug 2010

Payload: Displays graphics/image, Modifies system registry, Drops files

Arrival Details

This adware may be dropped by the following malware:

TROJ_DLOADR.LUT
TROJ_DLWIMAD.SMI

It may be downloaded from the following remote site(s):

http://www.{BLOCKED}mesplayer.com/license.cgi
http://www.{BLOCKED}tmp3player.com/license.cgi
http://www.{BLOCKED}ablesongslive.com/license.cgi
http://www.{BLOCKED}eatsongs.com/license.cgi
http://www.{BLOCKED}ablesongslive.com/affiliates/772466/20/PLAY_MP3.exe

Installation

This adware drops the following files:

%Program Files%\{random string}\{random string}.dll - also detected as ADW_MEGASWELL

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.)

It drops the following non-malicious files:

%Program Files%\PlayMP3z\PlayMP3.exe
%Program Files%\PlayMP3z\uninstall.exe
%Program Files%\PlayMP3z\confirm.xml
%Program Files%\{random string}\uninstall.exe
%Start Menu%\Programs\PlayMP3z\Run PlayMP3z.pif

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.. %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows NT and C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.)

It creates the following folders:

%Start Menu%\Programs\PlayMP3z
%Program Files%\{random string}
%Program Files%\PlayMP3z

(Note: %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows NT and C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files.)

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\{CLSID 1}

Other System Modifications

This adware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{random string}.{random string}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{random string}.{random string}.1

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\{CLSID 2}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\{random string}.DLL

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID 1}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{CLSID 3}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{CLSID 4}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MediaHoldings

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{random string}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PlayMP3

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{random string}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
PlayMP3

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{CLSID 1}
(Default) = "{random string}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{random string}.{random string}
(Default) = "{random string}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{random string}.{random string}\CLSID
(Default) = "{CLSID 1}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{random string}.{random string}\CurVer
(Default) = "{random string}.{random string}.1"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{random string}.{random string}.1
(Default) = "{random string}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{random string}.{random string}.1\CLSID
(Default) = "{CLSID 1}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\{CLSID 2}
(Default) = "{random string}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\{random string}.DLL
AppID = "{CLSID 2}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID 1}
(Default) = "{random string}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID 1}
AppID = "{CLSID 2}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID 1}\
InprocServer32
(Default) = "%Program Files%\{random string}\{random string}.dll"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CLSID 1}\
TypeLib
(Default) = "{CLSID 4}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{CLSID 3}
(Default) = "I{random string}Object"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{CLSID 3}\
TypeLib
(Default) = "{CLSID 4}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{CLSID 4}\
1.0
(Default) = "{random string} 1.0 Type Library"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{CLSID 4}\
1.0\0\win32
(Default) = "%Program Files%\{random string}\{random string}.dll"

Adware Routine

This adware displays advertisements on Internet browsers.

NOTES:
{random string} can be any of the following:

z2010MegawildAdverpopper
ExcellentAdDisplay

{CLSID 1} can be any of the following:

AFEB5519-7ADD-2E4A-0343-519132B684DE
F31C8969-83E7-A513-2E11-CB6D1837C2CB

{CLSID 2} can be any of the following:

418D86BE-7386-4F1A-83E0-53604ADBDA74
80EEBD97-B5BC-356F-B14E-0C1865B88474

{CLSID 3} can be any of the following:

2C8D7294-4F74-4147-277D-3FFF39E6EACB
51B8AFA0-3E42-B9F4-6DD9-8D64820A9475

{CLSID 4} can be any of the following:

26F1DC82-56EA-6FB6-89AF-B039D3CB9ED9
5CD14984-6934-02E1-E75F-26EBA3856F2D

It displays a popup window with the message, This advertisement delivered by {random string}.

SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 8.900

SSAPI PATTERN File: 1.144.34

SSAPI PATTERN Date: 01 Feb 2011

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

Remove malware/grayware files that dropped/downloaded ADW_MEGASWELL

Step 3

Close all opened browser windows

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_CLASSES_ROOT
- {random string}.{random string}
In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
- {random string}.{random string}.1
In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID
- {CLSID 2}
In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID
- {random string}.DLL
In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
- {CLSID 1}
In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface
- {CLSID 3}
In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib
- {CLSID 4}
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
- {random string}
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
- MediaHoldings
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
- PlayMP3
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects
- {CLSID 1}
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
- {random string}
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
- PlayMP3

To delete registry keys this malware/grayware created:

Open Registry Editor. To do this, click Start>Run, type regedit in the text box provided, then press Enter.
In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
{random string}.{random string}
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
{random string}.{random string}.1
In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT>AppID
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
{CLSID 2}
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
{random string}.DLL
In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT>CLSID
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
{CLSID 1}
In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT>Interface
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
{CLSID 3}
In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT>TypeLib
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
{CLSID 4}
In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
{random string}
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
MediaHoldings
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
PlayMP3
In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Explorer>Browser Helper Objects
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
{CLSID 1}
In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Uninstall
Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
{random string}
Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
PlayMP3
Close Registry Editor.

Step 5

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.

%Start Menu%\Programs\PlayMP3z

%Program Files%\{random string}

%Program Files%\PlayMP3z

Step 6

Search and delete this file

[ 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.

%Start Menu%\Programs\PlayMP3z\Run PlayMP3z.pif

Step 7

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

NOTES:
{random string} can be any of the following:

z2010MegawildAdverpopper
ExcellentAdDisplay

{CLSID 1} can be any of the following:

AFEB5519-7ADD-2E4A-0343-519132B684DE
F31C8969-83E7-A513-2E11-CB6D1837C2CB

{CLSID 2} can be any of the following:

418D86BE-7386-4F1A-83E0-53604ADBDA74
80EEBD97-B5BC-356F-B14E-0C1865B88474

{CLSID 3} can be any of the following:

2C8D7294-4F74-4147-277D-3FFF39E6EACB
51B8AFA0-3E42-B9F4-6DD9-8D64820A9475

{CLSID 4} can be any of the following:

26F1DC82-56EA-6FB6-89AF-B039D3CB9ED9
5CD14984-6934-02E1-E75F-26EBA3856F2D

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