Adware.Win32.AdOn.A
Windows
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.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
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 adds the following processes:
- "%User Temp%\FileUnlocker_Installer.exe" /silent
- "%System%\regsvr32.exe" /s "%Program Files%\Unlocker\UnlockerCOM.dll"
- "%User Temp%\bing_toolbar.exe" /silent /ignorebrowsercheck /forcedefaultsearch /launchie
- %User Temp%\bing_toolbar.exe /silent /ignorebrowsercheck /forcedefaultsearch /launchie
(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(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)
It creates the following folders:
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker
- %Program Files%\Unlocker
(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)
Autostart Technique
This Adware registers itself as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup by adding the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\UnlockerDriver5
ImagePath = "\??\%Program Files%\Unlocker\UnlockerDriver5.sys"
Other System Modifications
This Adware deletes the following folders:
- %User Temp%\nslDD78.tmp
(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(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)
It adds the following registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Unlocker
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\
Services\UnlockerDriver5
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\
Unlocker.exe
It adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Unlocker
Language = "1033"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\UnlockerDriver5
Type = "1"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Unlocker
OnlineVersion = "1.9.0-x64"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\
Unlocker.exe
(Default) = "%Program Files%\Unlocker\Unlocker.exe"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Unlocker
DisplayName = "Unlocker 1.9.0-x64"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Unlocker
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\Unlocker\uninst.exe"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Unlocker
DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\Unlocker\Unlocker.exe"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Unlocker
DisplayVersion = "1.9.0-x64"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Unlocker
URLInfoAbout = "http://ccollomb.{BLOCKED}e.fr/unlocker"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Unlocker
Publisher = "Cedrick Collomb"
It deletes the following registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Unlocker\OnlineVersion
Dropping Routine
This Adware drops the following files:
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\6.png
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\2.png
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\9.png
- %Application Data%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\eBay.lnk
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\install_start.htm
- %Program Files%\Unlocker\UnlockerDriver5.sys
- %User Temp%\eBay.ico
- %Program Files%\Unlocker\Unlocker.exe
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\5.png
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker\Uninstall.lnk
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker\README.lnk
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\11.png
- %Program Files%\Unlocker\README.TXT
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\10.png
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\0.png
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\3.png
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\7.png
- %Desktop%\eBay.lnk
- %Program Files%\Unlocker\UnlockerCOM.dll
- %User Temp%\FileUnlocker_Installer.exe
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\13.png
- %Program Files%\Unlocker\Unlocker.url
- %Start Menu%\eBay.lnk
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\4.png
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\14.png
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\8.png
- %User Temp%\bing_toolbar.exe
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\1.png
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker\Website.lnk
- %Program Files%\Unlocker\UnlockerInject32.exe
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\12.png
- %Program Files%\Unlocker\uninst.exe
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker\Start Unlocker Assistant.lnk
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker\Start Unlocker.lnk
(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %Desktop% is the current user's desktop, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Desktop on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)
Other Details
This Adware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:
- http://msnportal.{BLOCKED}2.2o7.net/b/ss/msnportalmsnetoolbar?{random characters}
- http://www.{BLOCKED}a.com/clients/metrics/Service.asmx
- http://install.{BLOCKED}r.msn.com
SOLUTION
Step 1
Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.
Step 2
Identify and terminate files detected as Adware.Win32.AdOn.A
- Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
- If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
- If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.
Step 3
Delete this registry key
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\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
- Unlocker
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services
- UnlockerDriver5
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths
- Unlocker.exe
Step 4
Delete this registry value
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\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Unlocker
- Language = "1033"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\UnlockerDriver5
- Type = "1"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Unlocker
- OnlineVersion = "1.9.0-x64"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Unlocker.exe
- (Default) = "%Program Files%\Unlocker\Unlocker.exe"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Unlocker
- DisplayName = "Unlocker 1.9.0-x64"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Unlocker
- UninstallString = "%Program Files%\Unlocker\uninst.exe"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Unlocker
- DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\Unlocker\Unlocker.exe"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Unlocker
- DisplayVersion = "1.9.0-x64"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Unlocker
- URLInfoAbout = "http://ccollomb.{BLOCKED}e.fr/unlocker"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Unlocker
- Publisher = "Cedrick Collomb"
Step 5
Search and delete these components
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\6.png
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\2.png
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\9.png
- %Application Data%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\eBay.lnk
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\install_start.htm
- %Program Files%\Unlocker\UnlockerDriver5.sys
- %User Temp%\eBay.ico
- %Program Files%\Unlocker\Unlocker.exe
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\5.png
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker\Uninstall.lnk
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker\README.lnk
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\11.png
- %Program Files%\Unlocker\README.TXT
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\10.png
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\0.png
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\3.png
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\7.png
- %Desktop%\eBay.lnk
- %Program Files%\Unlocker\UnlockerCOM.dll
- %User Temp%\FileUnlocker_Installer.exe
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\13.png
- %Program Files%\Unlocker\Unlocker.url
- %Start Menu%\eBay.lnk
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\4.png
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\14.png
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\8.png
- %User Temp%\bing_toolbar.exe
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\1.png
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker\Website.lnk
- %Program Files%\Unlocker\UnlockerInject32.exe
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper\12.png
- %Program Files%\Unlocker\uninst.exe
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker\Start Unlocker Assistant.lnk
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker\Start Unlocker.lnk
Step 6
Search and delete these folders
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer
- %Program Files%\Bing Bar Installer\BootStrapper
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Unlocker
- %Program Files%\Unlocker
Step 7
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Adware.Win32.AdOn.A. 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 the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:
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