ALIASES:

HEUR:AdWare.Win32.Adposhel.gen (Kaspersky); Trojan.Win32.Generic!BT (Sunbelt)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Potentially Unwanted Application

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Potentially Unwanted Application 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: 564,912 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 07 Feb 2020

Arrival Details

This Potentially Unwanted Application 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 Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following processes:

  • %Windows%\sysnative\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -NoProfile -inputformat none -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -Command "&{Get-wmiobject win32_computersystem | FL model;}"
  • powershell -inputformat none -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File "%User Temp%\Output\DecryptAdvscpt.ps1
  • powershell -inputformat none -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File "%User Temp%\Output\DecryptedPostchk.ps1
  • "%System Root%\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe"
  • "%System%\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe" -inputformat none -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File %User Temp%/Output/adv_script.ps1
  • "%Program Files%\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE" SCODEF:748 CREDAT:275457 /prefetch:2

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.. %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).. %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.. %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:

  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\IECompatUACache
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\IECompatCache
  • %User Temp%\ns210exes10110q
  • %User Temp%\Output\Images
  • %User Profile%\AppData
  • %System Root%\Users
  • %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Recovery\High\Active
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\DNTException
  • %User Temp%\Output
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\PrivacIE

(Note: %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).. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.. %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).)

Other System Modifications

This Potentially Unwanted Application deletes the following files:

  • %User Temp%\nsbDC1C.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 deletes the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\nsbDC1C.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 entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Instl
MID = "{GUID}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\fiord
MID = "{GUID}"

It deletes the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\
Settings\{72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E}\NewInstallPromptCount

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\
Settings\{72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E}\CompatBlockPromptCount

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\
Settings\{761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43}\NewInstallPromptCount

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\
Settings\{761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43}\CompatBlockPromptCount

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\
Settings\{DBC80044-A445-435B-BC74-9C25C1C588A9}\NewInstallPromptCount

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\
Settings\{DBC80044-A445-435B-BC74-9C25C1C588A9}\CompatBlockPromptCount

Dropping Routine

This Potentially Unwanted Application drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\Output\ThankyouPage.txt
  • %User Temp%\Output\HttpBasicChkResponse.json
  • %User Temp%\Output\PostChkScriptResultResponse.json
  • %User Temp%\Output\HttpBasicChkRequest.json
  • %User Temp%\Output\HttpAdvChkRequest.json
  • %User Temp%\Output\Finisheventrequest.json
  • %User Temp%\Output\adv_script.ps1
  • %User Temp%\Output\HttpOffexesResponse.json
  • %User Temp%\Output\HttpAdvChkResponse.json
  • %User Temp%\Output\PostChkScriptResultRequest.json
  • %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Recovery\High\Active\RecoveryStore.{C7645482-EADB-11E9-B338-005056BC4DBC}.dat
  • %User Temp%\Output\FinishEventResponse.json
  • %User Temp%\Output\HttpOffexesRequest.json
  • %User Temp%\Output\DecryptAdvscpt.ps1

(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).. %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

Identify and terminate files detected as PUA.Win32.AdSuog.A

[ Learn More ]
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 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\Instl
    • MID = "{GUID}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\fiord
    • MID = "{GUID}"

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.
  • %User Temp%\Output\ThankyouPage.txt
  • %User Temp%\Output\HttpBasicChkResponse.json
  • %User Temp%\Output\PostChkScriptResultResponse.json
  • %User Temp%\Output\HttpBasicChkRequest.json
  • %User Temp%\Output\HttpAdvChkRequest.json
  • %User Temp%\Output\Finisheventrequest.json
  • %User Temp%\Output\adv_script.ps1
  • %User Temp%\Output\HttpOffexesResponse.json
  • %User Temp%\Output\HttpAdvChkResponse.json
  • %User Temp%\Output\PostChkScriptResultRequest.json
  • %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Recovery\High\Active\RecoveryStore.{C7645482-EADB-11E9-B338-005056BC4DBC}.dat
  • %User Temp%\Output\FinishEventResponse.json
  • %User Temp%\Output\HttpOffexesRequest.json
  • %User Temp%\Output\DecryptAdvscpt.ps1

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.
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\IECompatUACache
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\IECompatCache
  • %User Temp%\ns210exes10110q
  • %User Temp%\Output\Images
  • %User Profile%\AppData
  • %System Root%\Users
  • %AppDataLocal%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Recovery\High\Active
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\DNTException
  • %User Temp%\Output
  • %Application Data%\Microsoft\Windows\PrivacIE

Step 6

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as PUA.Win32.AdSuog.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:

Step 7

Restore this file from backup only Microsoft-related files will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted files related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on you computer again.

  • %User Temp%\nsbDC1C.tmp

Step 8

Restore these deleted registry keys/values from backup

*Note: Only Microsoft-related keys/values will be restored. If the malware/grayware also deleted registry keys/values related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on your computer.

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\{72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E}
    • NewInstallPromptCount
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\{72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E}
    • CompatBlockPromptCount
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\{761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43}
    • NewInstallPromptCount
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\{761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43}
    • CompatBlockPromptCount
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\{DBC80044-A445-435B-BC74-9C25C1C588A9}
    • NewInstallPromptCount
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\{DBC80044-A445-435B-BC74-9C25C1C588A9}
    • CompatBlockPromptCount


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