Analysis by: Cris Nowell Pantanilla

ALIASES:

PUP.Optional.InstallCore (Malware Bytes), Riskware/InstallCore (Fortinet)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Hacking Tool

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This hacking tool may be manually installed by a user.

It uses a user interface (UI).

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 1,421,760 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 11 Nov 2016
Payload: Connects to URLs/IPs, Displays graphics/image

Arrival Details

This hacking tool may be manually installed by a user.

Installation

This hacking tool drops the following file(s)/component(s):

  • %All User Profile%\Desktop\Kingo ROOT.lnk
  • %All User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Kingo ROOT\Kingo ROOT on the Web.url
  • %All User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Kingo ROOT\Kingo ROOT.lnk
  • %All User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Kingo ROOT\Uninstall Kingo ROOT.lnk
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root.ini
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\LastLog
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\drivers
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\files\phonestate.txt
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\flash.log
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\Components
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\Components\Components.dll
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\Components\qmldir
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\KingoSoftService.exe
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\KingoSoftService.log
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\QtCore4.dll
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\QtDeclarative4.dll
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\QtGui4.dll
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\QtNetwork4.dll
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\QtScript4.dll
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\QtSql4.dll
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\QtWebKit4.dll
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\QtXml4.dll
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\QtXmlPatterns4.dll
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\Resources
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\checkupdate.exe
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\language
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\language\root_en.qm
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\language\root_ru.qm
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\md5list.dat
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\msvcp100.dll
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\msvcr100.dll
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\updater.exe
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\update_54326\bin\uts.dll
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\uts.ini
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\uts\uts0
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft\Kingo Root\uts\uts1
  • %Application Data%\uts.ini
  • %Application Data%\uts\uts0
  • %Application Data%\uts\uts1
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\Components
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\Components\Components.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\Components\qmldir
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\FlashCore
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\FlashCore\FlashCore.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\FlashCore\qmldir
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\Kingo Root.exe
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\KingoSoftService.exe
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\LangChange.exe
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\QtCore4.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\QtDeclarative4.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\QtGui4.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\QtNetwork4.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\QtScript4.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\QtSql4.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\QtWebKit
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\QtWebKit4.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\QtWebKit\qmldir
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\QtWebKit\qmlwebkitplugin.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\QtXml4.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\QtXmlPatterns4.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\Resources
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\checkupdate.exe
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\feedback.exe
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\files
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\files\busybox
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\files\checksum
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\files\clash_app_en.ini
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\files\com.kingoapp.link.apk
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\files\drivers.js.bin
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\files\zs
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\imageformats
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\imageformats\qgif4.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\imageformats\qjpeg4.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\language
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\language\extent_lang_en.qm
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\language\extent_lang_es.qm
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\language\extent_lang_fr.qm
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\language\extent_lang_pt.qm
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\language\extent_lang_ru.qm
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\language\root_en.qm
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\language\root_es.qm
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\language\root_fr.qm
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\language\root_pt.qm
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\language\root_ru.qm
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\libssdl.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\license.txt
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\md5list.dat
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\msvcp100.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\msvcr100.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\sqldrivers
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\sqldrivers\qsqlite4.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\tools
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\tools\7z.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\tools\7z.exe
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\tools\AdbWinApi.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\tools\AdbWinUsbApi.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\tools\DPInst.exe
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\tools\DPInst64.exe
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\tools\aapt.exe
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\tools\adb.exe
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\tools\cyggcc_s-1.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\tools\cygwin1.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\tools\cygz.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\tools\fastboot.exe
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\tools\fstool.exe
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\tools\libiconv-2.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\tools\libintl-2.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\tools\tar.exe
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\tools\winusb.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\unins000.dat
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\unins000.exe
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\updater.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\updater.exe
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\uts.dll
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT\winusb.dll

(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming 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.)

It adds the following processes:

  • Kingo Root.exe

It creates the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\in2B1860D0
  • %All User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Kingo ROOT
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT

(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.. %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming 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.)

Other System Modifications

This hacking tool adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Trolltech

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{AE7675D6-0B31-494F-ABFA-822E1A0FDF17}_is1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\KingoSoftService

Download Routine

This hacking tool connects to the following URL(s) to download its component file(s):

  • http://cdnus.{BLOCKED}noni.com
  • http://cdneu.{BLOCKED}noni.com
  • http://os.{BLOCKED}noni.com
  • http://img.{BLOCKED}noni.com
  • http://rp.{BLOCKED}noni.com
  • http://update.{BLOCKED}pp.com
  • http://download.{BLOCKED}pp.com/kingoroot/Resources
  • http://service.{BLOCKED}pp.com

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • %User Temp%\in2B1860D0\2EBB6C49_stp\KingoRootSetup_original.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.)

Other Details

This hacking tool uses the following user interfaces (UIs):

It does the following:

  • This is the Trend Micro detection for the application "KingoRoot". This program allows rooting of Android devices which may lead to the device's software bugs and system crashes.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
SSAPI PATTERN File: 1.784.14
SSAPI PATTERN Date: 11 Nov 2016

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

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
    • Trolltech
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
    • Uninstall{AE7675D6-0B31-494F-ABFA-822E1A0FDF17}_is1
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
    • KingoSoftService

Step 5

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.
  • %All User Profile%\Desktop\Kingo ROOT.lnk
  • %Application Data%\uts.ini
  • %Application Data%\uts\uts0
  • %Application Data%\uts\uts1
  • %User Temp%\in2B1860D0
  • %All User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Kingo ROOT
  • %Application Data%\Kingosoft
  • %Program Files%\Kingo ROOT

Step 6

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