ALIASES:

HEUR:Trojan-PSW.MSIL.Agensla.gen (Kaspersky)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • 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

File Size: 273,920 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 11 Feb 2020

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 creates the following folders:

  • %AppDataLocal%\xd7\x8aXgWoe

(Note: %AppDataLocal% is the Local Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

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
AXgWo = "%System Root%\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\xd7\x8aXgWoe\xd7\x8aXgWoexGg.hta"

Dropping Routine

This Adware drops the following files:

  • %AppDataLocal%\xd7\x8aXgWoe\AXgWoexGg.hta
  • %AppDataLocal%\xd7\x8aXgWoe\SHqsA.vbs
  • %AppDataLocal%\xd7\x8aXgWoe\AXgWo.exe

(Note: %AppDataLocal% is the Local Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.850

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

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
    • AXgWo = "%System Root%\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\xd7\x8aXgWoe\xd7\x8aXgWoexGg.hta"

Step 4

Search and delete these components

[ Learn More ]
There may be some components 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.
  • %AppDataLocal%\xd7\x8aXgWoe\AXgWoexGg.hta
  • %AppDataLocal%\xd7\x8aXgWoe\SHqsA.vbs
  • %AppDataLocal%\xd7\x8aXgWoe\AXgWo.exe

Step 5

Search and delete this folder

[ 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%\xd7\x8aXgWoe

Step 6

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as Adware.Win32.Graftor.USXVPBB20. 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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