Analysis by: Christopher Daniel So
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, XP, 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 arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

It displays pop-up advertisements.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: Varies
File Type: DLL
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 25 Jul 2008

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.

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_CLASSES_ROOT\ViewBar.ViewBar

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ViewBar.ViewBar.1

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{F8AD5AA5-D966-4667-9DAF-2561D68B2012}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{E060D9D9-E979-4C2F-A840-BE5150F84AC5}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\MenuExt\&Viewpoint Search

It registers itself as a BHO to ensure its automatic execution every time Internet Explorer is used by adding the following registry entries:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ViewBar.ViewBar
(Default) = "Viewpoint Toolbar"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ViewBar.ViewBar\CLSID
(Default) = "{F8AD5AA5-D966-4667-9DAF-2561D68B2012}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ViewBar.ViewBar\CurVer
(Default) = "ViewBar.ViewBar.1"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ViewBar.ViewBar.1\CLSID
(Default) = "{F8AD5AA5-D966-4667-9DAF-2561D68B2012}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{F8AD5AA5-D966-4667-9DAF-2561D68B2012}\
InProcServer32
(Default) = "{malware path and file name}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{F8AD5AA5-D966-4667-9DAF-2561D68B2012}\
TypeLib
(Default) = "{E060D9D9-E979-4C2F-A840-BE5150F84AC5}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{E060D9D9-E979-4C2F-A840-BE5150F84AC5}\
1.0\0\win32
(Default) = "{malware path and file name}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\MenuExt\&Viewpoint Search
(Default) = "res://{malware path and file name}/CXTSEARCH.HTML"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Toolbar
{F8AD5AA5-D966-4667-9DAF-2561D68B2012} = {random values}

Adware Routine

This adware displays pop-up advertisements.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 8.900
SSAPI PATTERN File: 0.678.10
SSAPI PATTERN Date: 15 Aug 2008

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

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_CLASSES_ROOT
    • ViewBar.ViewBar
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • ViewBar.ViewBar.1
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {F8AD5AA5-D966-4667-9DAF-2561D68B2012}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib
    • {E060D9D9-E979-4C2F-A840-BE5150F84AC5}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MenuExt
    • &Viewpoint Search

Step 4

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\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar
    • {F8AD5AA5-D966-4667-9DAF-2561D68B2012}={random values}

Step 5

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


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.