ADW_PENNYBEE

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.

File Size: 1,393,664 bytes

File Type: EXE

Memory Resident: Yes

Initial Samples Received Date: 09 Dec 2014

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:

%AppDataLocal%\PennyBee\DPHelper.dll
%AppDataLocal%\PennyBee\PennyBee.exe
%AppDataLocal%\PennyBee\PennyBee.exe.config
%AppDataLocal%\PennyBee\PennyBeeW.exe
%AppDataLocal%\PennyBee\PennyBeeW.exe.config
%AppDataLocal%\PennyBee\smia64.exe
%AppDataLocal%\PennyBee\uninstall.exe
%AppDataLocal%\PennyBee\Configs\Timers.xml
%AppDataLocal%\PennyBee\Resources\ntdis_32.dll
%AppDataLocal%\PennyBee\Resources\ntdis_64.dll
%AppDataLocal%\PennyBee\Resources\ntdisie_32.dll
%AppDataLocal%\ICSharpCode.net\PennyBeeW.exe_Url_{32 random alphanumeric characters}\1.0.6.0\user.config
%Program Files%\PennyBee\DPHelper.dll (with admin rights)
%Program Files%\PennyBee\PennyBee.exe (with admin rights)
%Program Files%\PennyBee\PennyBee.exe.config (with admin rights)
%Program Files%\PennyBee\PennyBeeW.exe (with admin rights)
%Program Files%\PennyBee\PennyBeeW.exe.config (with admin rights)
%Program Files%\PennyBee\smia64.exe (with admin rights)
%Program Files%\PennyBee\uninstall.exe (with admin rights)
%Program Files%\PennyBee\Configs\Timers.xml (with admin rights)
%Program Files%\PennyBee\Resources\ntdis_32.dll (with admin rights)
%Program Files%\PennyBee\Resources\ntdis_64.dll (with admin rights)
%Program Files%\PennyBee\Resources\ntdisie_32.dll (with admin rights)
%System Root%\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Local Settings\Application Data\ICSharpCode.net\PennyBeeW.exe_Url_{32 random alphanumeric characters}\1.0.6.0\user.config (with admin rights)

(Note: %AppDataLocal% is the Application Data folder found in Local Settings, where it is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.. %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.. %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.)

It creates the following folders:

%AppDataLocal%\ICSharpCode.net\PennyBeeW.exe_Url_{32 random alphanumeric characters}
%AppDataLocal%\ICSharpCode.net\PennyBeeW.exe_Url_{32 random alphanumeric characters}\1.0.6.0
%AppDataLocal%\PennyBee
%AppDataLocal%\PennyBee\Configs
%AppDataLocal%\PennyBee\Resources
%Program Files%\PennyBee (with admin rights)
%Program Files%\PennyBee\Configs (with admin rights)
%Program Files%\PennyBee\Resources (with admin rights)
%System Root%\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Local Settings\Application Data\ICSharpCode.net\PennyBeeW.exe_Url_{32 random alphanumeric characters} (with admin rights)
%System Root%\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Local Settings\Application Data\ICSharpCode.net\PennyBeeW.exe_Url_{32 random alphanumeric characters}\1.0.6.0 (with admin rights)

(Note: %AppDataLocal% is the Application Data folder found in Local Settings, where it is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.. %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.. %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.)

Other System Modifications

This adware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\
PennyBee.exe

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
PennyBee

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\
PennyBee.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
PennyBee

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\PennyBee

It adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
PennyBee
DisplayName = "PennyBee"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
PennyBee
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\PennyBee\uninstall.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
PennyBee
DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\PennyBee\PennyBee.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
PennyBee
DisplayVersion = "1.0.6.0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
PennyBee
Publisher = "PennyBee"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\
PennyBee.exe
Params = " Partner=Default Channel=Default DeviceId={GUID} Publisher={value} BarcodeId={value}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\
PennyBee.exe
Params = " Partner=Default Channel=Default DeviceId={GUID} Publisher={value} BarcodeId={value}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\
PennyBee.exe
(Default) = "%Program Files%\PennyBee\PennyBee.exe"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
PennyBee = "%AppDataLocal%\PennyBee\PennyBeeW.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
PennyBee = "%Program Files%\PennyBee\PennyBeeW.exe" (with admin rights)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\PennyBee
Type = "{dword:00000010}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\PennyBee
Start = "{dword:00000002}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\PennyBee
ErrorControl = "{dword:00000000}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\PennyBee
ImagePath = "%Program Files%\PennyBee\PennyBee.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\PennyBee
DisplayName = "PennyBee service"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\PennyBee
ObjectName = "LocalSystem"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\PennyBee
Description = "PennyBee"

Other Details

This adware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

http://{BLOCKED}search.linkury.com/maxmind.asmx/GetGeoInfo
http://{BLOCKED}ats.linkury.com/StatisticsService.svc/V1/JSON/LogEvent
http://{BLOCKED}search.shopop.me/maxmind.asmx/GetGeoInfo
http://{BLOCKED}erconfig.blob.core.windows.net/pennybee/UpdateVersion.xml
http://{BLOCKED}ats.shopop.me/StatisticsService.svc/V1/SOAP
http://{BLOCKED}j.{BLOCKED}p.net/InjectionsService.svc/GetPublisherInjectionsByPublisherAndCountry?{parameter}
http://{BLOCKED}ats.shopop.me/StatisticsService.svc/V1/SOAP

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.700

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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.

%AppDataLocal%\ICSharpCode.net\PennyBeeW.exe_Url_{32 random alphanumeric characters}
%AppDataLocal%\PennyBee
%Program Files%\PennyBee (with admin rights)
%System Root%\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Local Settings\Application Data\ICSharpCode.net\PennyBeeW.exe_Url_{32 random alphanumeric characters} (with admin rights)

To delete malware/grayware/spyware folders:

For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:

Right-click Start then click Search... or Find..., depending on the version of Windows you are running.
In the File name* input box, type:

%AppDataLocal%\ICSharpCode.net\PennyBeeW.exe_Url_{32 random alphanumeric characters}
%AppDataLocal%\PennyBee
%Program Files%\PennyBee (with admin rights)
%System Root%\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Local Settings\Application Data\ICSharpCode.net\PennyBeeW.exe_Url_{32 random alphanumeric characters} (with admin rights)
In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer, then press Enter.
Once located, select the folder then press SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the folder.
Repeat steps 2 to 4 for the remaining folders: %AppDataLocal%\ICSharpCode.net\PennyBeeW.exe_Url_{32 random alphanumeric characters}
%AppDataLocal%\PennyBee
%Program Files%\PennyBee (with admin rights)
%System Root%\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Local Settings\Application Data\ICSharpCode.net\PennyBeeW.exe_Url_{32 random alphanumeric characters} (with admin rights)

*Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).

For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:

Open a Windows Explorer window.
- For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
- For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, then click File Explorer.
In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
%AppDataLocal%\ICSharpCode.net\PennyBeeW.exe_Url_{32 random alphanumeric characters}
%AppDataLocal%\PennyBee
%Program Files%\PennyBee (with admin rights)
%System Root%\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Local Settings\Application Data\ICSharpCode.net\PennyBeeW.exe_Url_{32 random alphanumeric characters} (with admin rights)
Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the folder.
Repeat steps 2-3 for the remaining folders: %AppDataLocal%\ICSharpCode.net\PennyBeeW.exe_Url_{32 random alphanumeric characters}
%AppDataLocal%\PennyBee
%Program Files%\PennyBee (with admin rights)
%System Root%\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Local Settings\Application Data\ICSharpCode.net\PennyBeeW.exe_Url_{32 random alphanumeric characters} (with admin rights)

*Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.

Step 5

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\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths
- PennyBee.exe
In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
- PennyBee
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths
- PennyBee.exe
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
- PennyBee
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
- PennyBee

Step 6

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
- PennyBee = "%AppDataLocal%\PennyBee\PennyBeeW.exe"
In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- PennyBee = "%Program Files%\PennyBee\PennyBeeW.exe" (with admin rights)

Step 7

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

Step 8

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