Analysis by: Michael John Marcos
ALIASES:

Win32/Qvod.QKRYNNC (TotalDefense), W32/Trojan.BWYE-3389 (Cyren), W32/Trojan4.AFHM (F-Prot)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Adware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel: Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware

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 may be manually installed by a user.

It modifies registry entries to disable the Windows Firewall settings. This action allows this malware to perform its routines without being deteted by the Windows Firewall.

It executes the downloaded files. As a result, malicious routines of the downloaded files are exhibited on the affected system.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 423,856 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 15 Nov 2013
Payload: Connects to URLs/IPs, Downloads files

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 may be manually installed by a user.

Autostart Technique

This adware adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
uucldxxD8867343 = %User Profile%\Application Data\wer52w\ff33x.exe /1 - Baidu Toolbar

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
QvodTerminal = "%System Root%\Program Files\QvodPlayer\QvodTerminal.exe" -autorun

Other System Modifications

This adware modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Start Page = http://hao.kuaibo.com/?qi20150209

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {user defined}.)

It modifies the following registry entries to disable the Windows Firewall settings:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\SharedAcess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\
List
%Program Files%\QvodPlayer\QvodPlayer.exe = %Program Files%\QvodPlayer\QvodPlayer.exe:*:Enabled:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\SharedAcess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\
List
%Program Files%\QvodPlayer\QvodTerminal.exe = %Program Files%\QvodPlayer\QvodTerminal.exe:*:Enabled:QvodPlayer

Download Routine

This adware connects to the following website(s) to download and execute a malicious file:

  • http://w.{BLOCKED}z.com/c.php?id=30088485&l=3
  • http://cdn.{BLOCKED}t.{BLOCKED}u.com/bdcalendar/repository/1_1_0_39/bdcalendar_setup-gjlwebinstall-1_1_0_39-101.exe
  • http://w.x.{BLOCKED}u.com/go/full/12/10000002/&name=bdrl.exe
  • http://dl1sw.{BLOCKED}u.com/client7/rl/20141230/mini_installer_10000002.exe
  • http://w.{BLOCKED}z.com/q_stat.php?id=1253383081

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • %User Temp%\nsn12.tmp\QvodDownLite.exe
  • {adware path}\QvodSetup5.20.234.20140508.exe
  • %User Temp%\nsn12.tmp\Baidu-TB-ASBar.exe
  • %User Temp%\KWExplorerSetup.exe

(Note: %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp 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.)

It then executes the downloaded files. As a result, malicious routines of the downloaded files are exhibited on the affected system.

NOTES:

This malware installs the following applications:

  • Baidu ToolBar
  • KW Explorer
  • QvodPlayer
  • CoreCodec
  • QMovie

  SOLUTION

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

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.
  • {adware path}\QvodSetup5.20.234.20140508.exe
  • %User Temp%\nsn12.tmp\Baidu-TB-ASBar.exe
  • %User Temp%\KWExplorerSetup.exe
  • %User Temp%\nsn12.tmp\QvodDownLite.exe

Step 4

Reset the Internet Explorer Home and Search pages

[ Learn More ]

Step 5

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\SharedAcess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\List
    • %Program Files%\QvodPlayer\QvodPlayer.exe = %Program Files%\QvodPlayer\QvodPlayer.exe:*:Enabled:
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\SharedAcess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\List
    • %Program Files%\QvodPlayer\QvodTerminal.exe = %Program Files%\QvodPlayer\QvodTerminal.exe:*:Enabled:QvodPlayer
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • uucldxxD8867343 = %User Profile%\Application Data\wer52w\ff33x.exe /1 - Baidu Toolbar
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • QvodTerminal = "%System Root%\Program Files\QvodPlayer\QvodTerminal.exe" -autorun

Step 6

Remove ADW_QUVOD by using its own Uninstall option

[ Learn More ]
To uninstall the grayware processDATA_GENERIC
  • Click on Remove or Uninstall depending on the currently running Windows version.
  • Follow the instructions on the dialog box that appears.
  • Close the Programs window, and the Control Panel window.

    • Step 7

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

    Step 7:

    Remove other adware installed by using its own Uninstall option:

    • Baidu ToolBar
    • KW Explorer
    • QvodPlayer
    • CoreCodec
    • QMovie


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