Analysis by: Arvin Roi Macaraeg

ALIASES:

Win32/TechUtilities.A(NOD32); Misleading:Win32/Lodi(MICROSOFT)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 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: 617,880 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 30 May 2019

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:

  • "%User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp\{random}.tmp" /SL5="$B01B6,211337,120832,%User Temp%\{malware name}.exe"

(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 creates the following folders:

  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\TechUtilities
  • %Program Files%\TechUtilities
  • %User Temp%\is-TFKJR.tmp\_isetup

(Note: %All Users Profile% is the common user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\ProgramData 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).. %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).)

Other System Modifications

This Potentially Unwanted Application deletes the following files:

  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\TechUtilities\Uninstall .pif
  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\TechUtilities\TechUtilities.url
  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\TechUtilities\TechUtilities.pif
  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\TechUtilities\Uninstall .url
  • %System Root%\Users\Public\Desktop\TechUtilities.url
  • %System Root%\Users\Public\Desktop\TechUtilities.pif

(Note: %All Users Profile% is the common user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\ProgramData 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.)

It adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\TechUtilities

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\
TechUtilities.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000
Owner = "\xdc\x0c\x00\x00\xe9\x06\x81\x9e\xee\x16\xd5\x01"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000
SessionHash = "{random characters}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000
Sequence = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\TechUtilities
IsTasks = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\TechUtilities
IsTasks = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\
Layers\%Program Files%\TechUtilities
TechUtilities.exe = "RUNASADMIN"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\
TechUtilities.exe
Path = "%Program Files%\TechUtilities\TechUtilities.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\TechUtilities
setupNM = "{malware file name}.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
Inno Setup: Setup Version = "5.5.9 (u)"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
Inno Setup: App Path = "%Program Files%\TechUtilities"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\TechUtilities"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
Inno Setup: Icon Group = "TechUtilities"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
Inno Setup: User = "PEWPEWPEW"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
Inno Setup: Setup Type = "recom"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
Inno Setup: Selected Components = "desktopicon,scheduledtasks"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
Inno Setup: Deselected Components = "quicklaunchicon"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
Inno Setup: Language = "default"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
DisplayName = "TechUtilities"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\TechUtilities\TechUtilities.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\TechUtilities\unins000.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
QuietUninstallString = "%Program Files%\TechUtilities\unins000.exe /SILENT"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
DisplayVersion = "2.0.3.9"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
Publisher = "Seven Servos Software Pvt Ltd."

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
URLInfoAbout = "http://www.{BLOCKED}rrors.com/app"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
HelpLink = "http://www.{BLOCKED}rrors.com/app"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
NoModify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
NoRepair = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
InstallDate = "20190530"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
MajorVersion = "2"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
MinorVersion = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
VersionMajor = "2"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
VersionMinor = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
TechUtilities_is1
EstimatedSize = "1155"

Dropping Routine

This Potentially Unwanted Application drops the following files:

  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\TechUtilities\Uninstall .lnk
  • %Program Files%\TechUtilities\TechUtilities.ico
  • %Program Files%\TechUtilities\unins000.exe
  • %System Root%\Users\Public\Desktop\TechUtilities.lnk
  • %Program Files%\TechUtilities\unins000.dat
  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\TechUtilities\TechUtilities.lnk
  • %Program Files%\TechUtilities\is-{random}.tmp
  • %Program Files%\TechUtilities\is-{random}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp\idp.dll

(Note: %All Users Profile% is the common user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\ProgramData 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).. %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ 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).)

Other Details

This Potentially Unwanted Application connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://www.{BLOCKED}rrors.com/downloader.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}rrors.com/downloader.php

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.850
SSAPI PATTERN File: 2.167.00
SSAPI PATTERN Date: 18 Apr 2019

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.DeceptClean.AA

[ 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 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\Microsoft\RestartManager
    • Session0000
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
    • TechUtilities
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths
    • TechUtilities.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • TechUtilities_is1

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • Owner = "\xdc\x0c\x00\x00\xe9\x06\x81\x9e\xee\x16\xd5\x01"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • SessionHash = "{random characters}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RestartManager\Session0000
    • Sequence = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\TechUtilities
    • IsTasks = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\TechUtilities
    • IsTasks = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers\%Program Files%\TechUtilities
    • TechUtilities.exe = "RUNASADMIN"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\TechUtilities.exe
    • Path = "%Program Files%\TechUtilities\TechUtilities.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\TechUtilities
    • setupNM = "{malware file name}.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • Inno Setup: Setup Version = "5.5.9 (u)"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • Inno Setup: App Path = "%Program Files%\TechUtilities"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\TechUtilities"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • Inno Setup: Icon Group = "TechUtilities"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • Inno Setup: User = "PEWPEWPEW"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • Inno Setup: Setup Type = "recom"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • Inno Setup: Selected Components = "desktopicon,scheduledtasks"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • Inno Setup: Deselected Components = "quicklaunchicon"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • Inno Setup: Language = "default"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • DisplayName = "TechUtilities"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\TechUtilities\TechUtilities.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • UninstallString = "%Program Files%\TechUtilities\unins000.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • QuietUninstallString = "%Program Files%\TechUtilities\unins000.exe /SILENT"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • DisplayVersion = "2.0.3.9"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • Publisher = "Seven Servos Software Pvt Ltd."
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • URLInfoAbout = "http://www.{BLOCKED}rrors.com/app"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • HelpLink = "http://www.{BLOCKED}rrors.com/app"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • NoModify = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • NoRepair = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • InstallDate = "20190530"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • MajorVersion = "2"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • MinorVersion = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • VersionMajor = "2"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • VersionMinor = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TechUtilities_is1
    • EstimatedSize = "1155"

Step 5

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.
  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\TechUtilities\Uninstall .lnk
  • %Program Files%\TechUtilities\TechUtilities.ico
  • %Program Files%\TechUtilities\unins000.exe
  • %System Root%\Users\Public\Desktop\TechUtilities.lnk
  • %Program Files%\TechUtilities\unins000.dat
  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\TechUtilities\TechUtilities.lnk
  • %Program Files%\TechUtilities\is-{random}.tmp
  • %Program Files%\TechUtilities\is-{random}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp\idp.dll

Step 6

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 Users Profile%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\TechUtilities
  • %Program Files%\TechUtilities
  • %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp\_isetup

Step 7

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as PUA.Win32.DeceptClean.AA. 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 8

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.

  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\TechUtilities\Uninstall .pif
  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\TechUtilities\TechUtilities.url
  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\TechUtilities\TechUtilities.pif
  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\TechUtilities\Uninstall .url
  • %System Root%\Users\Public\Desktop\TechUtilities.url
  • %System Root%\Users\Public\Desktop\TechUtilities.pif


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