Analysis by: Francesca Villasanta
ALIASES:

WebToolbar.Win32.MyWebSearch.lq (KASPERSKY); Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.BA (NOD32)

 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

Infection Channel: Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware

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.

It modifies the user's Internet Explorer home page into a certain website. This action allows the malware to point to a website which may contain malware, putting the affected computer at greater risk of malware infection.

It connects to certain websites to send and receive information.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 377,472 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 12 May 2023
Payload: Drops files, Connects to URLs/IPs, Displays windows, Deletes files

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 drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\nsDialogs.dll ← deleted afterwards
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\System.dll ← deleted afterwards
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\reporting ← deleted afterwards
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\ConvertersNow_msi_bg-copy_1501700960394.bmp ← deleted afterwards
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\cancel_english_mip_1436200264272.bmp ← deleted afterwards
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\Install_ENG_1436200260055.bmp ← deleted afterwards
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\installerParams ← deleted afterwards
  • %Cookies%\{username}@tb.ask[1].txt ← deleted afterwards
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\ConvertersNow_msi_bg-copy_1501700978718.bmp ← deleted afterwards
  • %AppDataLocal%\ConvertersNowTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll

(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).. %Cookies% is the Internet Explorer browser cookies folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Cookies on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies on Windows Vista and 7, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCookies on Windows 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).)

It creates the following folders:

  • %AppDataLocal%\ConvertersNowTooltab
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp ← deleted afterwards

(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).. %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:

  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.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 as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ConvertersNow
Start Page = https://{BLOCKED}y.com/convertersnow/S24147ie/index.html?n=C0EEED5&p2=^CQ8^mni000^TTAB02&ptb=0E336A31-863E-45B2-9FD0-5723E42B0F17&coid={Randomly Generated ID}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing
NewTabPageShow = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ConvertersNowTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
DisplayName = ConvertersNow Internet Explorer Homepage and New Tab

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ConvertersNowTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
UninstallString = Rundll32.exe "%AppDataLocal%\ConvertersNowTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll" U uninstall:ConvertersNow

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ConvertersNowTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
Publisher = Mindspark Interactive Network, Inc.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ConvertersNowTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
HelpLink = http://s{BLOCKED}indspark.com/

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ConvertersNowTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
URLInfoAbout = http://su{BLOCKED}park.com/

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ConvertersNow
UnInstallSurveyUrl = http://@{downloadDomain}.d{BLOCKED}y.com/uninstall.jhtml?surveyUrl=hxxp%3A%2F%2Fwww.research.net%2Fr%2FHYSCVNM%3Fc%3D0E336A31-863E-45B2-9FD0-5723E42B0F17%26ptb%3D^CQ8^mni000^TTAB02

It adds the following registry keys as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ConvertersNow

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
ConvertersNowTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer

Web Browser Home Page and Search Page Modification

This Potentially Unwanted Application modifies the user's Internet Explorer home page to the following websites:

  • https://h{BLOCKED}y.com/convertersnow/S24147ie/index.html?n=C0EEED5&p2=^CQ8^mni000^TTAB02&ptb=0E336A31-863E-45B2-9FD0-5723E42B0F17&coid={Randomly Generated ID}

Other Details

This Potentially Unwanted Application connects to the following website to send and receive information:

  • http://a{BLOCKED}spark.com/anx.gif?anxa=CAPDownloadProcess&anxe=Error&errorCode=-16&errorType=nsisError&errorDetails=&platform=vicinio&anxv=2.7.1.1000&anxd=2017-10-17&coid=&refPartner=^CQ8^mni000^TTAB02&refSub=&anxl=en-US&anxr=-2020338697&refCobrand=CQ8&refCampaign=mni000&refTrack=TTAB02&refCountry=
  • http://a{BLOCKED}park.com/anx.gif?anxa=CAPDownloadProcess&anxe=Error&errorCode=-8&errorType=nsisError&errorDetails=b3be42feab3f2b280eb3aef0ef8bf92a7c30438e%2Eexe&platform=vicinio&anxv=2.7.1.1000&anxd=2017-10-17&coid={Randomly Generated ID}&refPartner=^CQ8^mni000^TTAB02&refSub=&anxl=en-US&anxr=-2062943937&refCobrand=CQ8&refCampaign=mni000&refTrack=TTAB02&refCountry= hxxp/1.1
  • https://d{BLOCKED}k.com/installerParams.jhtml?coId={Randomly Generated ID}
  • http://{BLOCKED}spark.com/anx.gif?anxa=CAPDownloadProcess&anxe=InstallerInvoked&platform=vicinio&anxv=2.7.1.1000&anxd=2017-10-17&coid={Randomly Generated ID}&refPartner=^CQ8^mni000^TTAB02&refSub=&anxl=en-US&anxr=2037016370&refCobrand=CQ8&refCampaign=mni000&refTrack=TTAB02&refCountry=
  • http://a{BLOCKED}spark.com/anx.gif?anxa=CAPDownloadProcess&anxe=InstallerFinished&tbUID=0E336A31-863E-45B2-9FD0-5723E42B0F17&tbVer=&platform=vicinio&anxv=2.7.1.1000&anxd=2017-10-17&coid={Randomly Generated ID}&refPartner=^CQ8^mni000^TTAB02&refSub=&anxl=en-US&anxr=2003607445&refCobrand=CQ8&refCampaign=mni000&refTrack=TTAB02&refCountry=
  • http://a{BLOCKED}spark.com/anx.gif?anxa=CAPDownloadProcess&anxe=Error&errorCode=-11&errorType=nsisError&errorDetails=File+Not+Found+%28404%29&platform=vicinio&anxv=2.7.1.1000&anxd=2017-10-17&coid={Randomly Generated ID}&refPartner=^CQ8^mni000^TTAB02&refSub=&anxl=en-US&anxr=-2096435701&refCobrand=CQ8&refCampaign=mni000&refTrack=TTAB02&refCountry=

It does the following:

  • It displays the following during installation:



  • It displays the following page as the user's Internet Explorer home page:

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
SSAPI PATTERN File: 2.625.00
SSAPI PATTERN Date: 25 May 2023

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

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

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. Before you could do this, you must restart in Safe Mode. For instructions on how to do this, you may refer to this page If the preceding step requires you to restart in safe mode, you may proceed to edit the system registry.

 
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ConvertersNow
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ConvertersNowTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer

Step 4

Search and delete this file

[ Learn More ]
There may be some files 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%\ns{random}.tmp\nsDialogs.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\System.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\reporting
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\ConvertersNow_msi_bg-copy_1501700960394.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\cancel_english_mip_1436200264272.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\Install_ENG_1436200260055.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\installerParams
  • %Cookies%\{username}@tb.ask[1].txt
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\ConvertersNow_msi_bg-copy_1501700978718.bmp
  • %AppDataLocal%\ConvertersNowTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll

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.
  • %AppDataLocal%\ConvertersNowTooltab
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp

Step 6

Reset the Internet Explorer Home and Search pages

[ Learn More ]

Step 7

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as PUA.Win32.MyWebSearch.MANGCACJ. 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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