PUA.Win32.WebCompanion.AA

April 22, 2019

Analysis by: Jay Garcia

ALIASES:

Downloader.Win32.OpenCandy.db (Kaspersky); Adware/OpenCandy (Fortinet)

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: 27,256,624 bytes

File Type: EXE

Memory Resident: No

Initial Samples Received Date: 15 Oct 2018

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:

%Application Data%\pdfforge\Images2PDF\Images2PDF.settings
%Common Programs%\PDFCreator\Donate to PDFCreator.lnk
%Common Programs%\PDFCreator\Images2PDF\Images2PDF Console Application.lnk
%Common Programs%\PDFCreator\Images2PDF\Images2PDF.lnk
%Common Programs%\PDFCreator\Licenses\AFPL License.lnk
%Common Programs%\PDFCreator\Licenses\FairPlay License.lnk
%Common Programs%\PDFCreator\Licenses\GPL License.lnk
%Common Programs%\PDFCreator\PDFCreator Help.lnk
%Common Programs%\PDFCreator\PDFCreator on the Web.lnk
%Common Programs%\PDFCreator\PDFCreator.lnk
%Desktop%\PDF Architect 2.lnk
%Desktop%\PDFCreator.lnk
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\COM Scripts\JS Scripts\Basics\GetPrinterDevices.js
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\COM Scripts\JS Scripts\Basics\MergedFiles2Tif.js
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\COM Scripts\JS Scripts\Basics\MultipleFiles2Tif.js
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\COM Scripts\JS Scripts\Basics\TestPage2JPG.js
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\COM Scripts\JS Scripts\Basics\TestPage2PDF.js
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\COM Scripts\JS Scripts\Basics\TestPage2Tif.js
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\COM Scripts\JS Scripts\Basics\TestPageMergeTarget.js
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\COM Scripts\JS Scripts\How To\AttachmentPage.js
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\COM Scripts\JS Scripts\How To\AttachmentPage.pdf
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\COM Scripts\JS Scripts\How To\BackgroundPage.js
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\COM Scripts\JS Scripts\How To\BackgroundPage.pdf
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\COM Scripts\JS Scripts\How To\ChangeOutputFormat.js
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\COM Scripts\JS Scripts\How To\ConvertFileAsync.js
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\COM Scripts\JS Scripts\How To\CoverPage.js
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\COM Scripts\JS Scripts\How To\CoverPage.pdf
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\COM Scripts\JS Scripts\How To\EmailClient.js
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\COM Scripts\JS Scripts\How To\EmailSmtp.js
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\COM Scripts\JS Scripts\How To\JpegSettings.js
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\COM Scripts\JS Scripts\How To\MergeAllJobs.js
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\COM Scripts\JS Scripts\How To\PdfSecuritySettings.js
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\COM Scripts\JS Scripts\How To\PdfSignatureSettings.js
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\DataStorage.dll
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\DeleteMonitorDll.exe
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Donate to PDFCreator.url
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\DynamicTranslator.dll
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\ErrorReport.exe
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\ftplib.dll
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Bin\gsdll32.dll
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Bin\gsdll32.lib
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Bin\gswin32c.exe
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\acctest.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\addxchar.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\afmdiff.awk
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\align.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bj8.rpd
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bj8gc12f.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bj8hg12f.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bj8oh06n.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bj8pa06n.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bj8pp12f.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bj8ts06n.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bjc610a0.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bjc610a1.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bjc610a2.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bjc610a3.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bjc610a4.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bjc610a5.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bjc610a6.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bjc610a7.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bjc610a8.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bjc610b1.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bjc610b2.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bjc610b3.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bjc610b4.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bjc610b6.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bjc610b7.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\bjc610b8.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\caption.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\cat.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\cbjc600.ppd
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\cbjc800.ppd
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\cdj550.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\cdj690.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\cdj690ec.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\cid2code.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\cidfmap
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\decrypt.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\dnj750c.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\dnj750m.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\docie.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\dvipdf
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\EndOfTask.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\eps2eps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\eps2eps.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\eps2eps.cmd
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\FAPIconfig-FCO
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\FCOfontmap-PCLPS3
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\FCOfontmap-PS3
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\font2c
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\font2c.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\font2c.cmd
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\font2c.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\font2pcl.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\Fontmap.ATB
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\Fontmap.ATM
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\Fontmap.OS2
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\Fontmap.OSF
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\Fontmap.SGI
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\Fontmap.Sol
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\Fontmap.Ult
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\Fontmap.URW-136.T1
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\Fontmap.URW-136.TT
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\Fontmap.VMS
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ghostpdf.inf
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ghostpdf.ppd
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_ce_e.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_cmdl.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_il2_e.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_kanji.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_ksb_e.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_l.xbm
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_l.xpm
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_l_m.xbm
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_lgo_e.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_lgx_e.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_m.xbm
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_m.xpm
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_m_m.xbm
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_pfile.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_rdlin.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_s.xbm
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_s.xpm
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_s_m.xbm
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_t.xbm
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_t.xpm
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_t_m.xbm
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_wl1_e.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_wl2_e.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gs_wl5_e.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gsbj
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gsbj.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gsdj
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gsdj.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gsdj500
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gsdj500.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gslj
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gslj.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gslp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gslp.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gslp.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gsnd
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gsnd.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gsndt.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gsnup.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gssetgs.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gssetgs32.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gssetgs64.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gst.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\gstt.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ht_ccsto.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\image-qa.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\impath.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\Info-macos.plist
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\jispaper.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\jobseparator.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\landscap.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\level1.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\lines.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\lp386.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\lp386r2.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\lpgs.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\lpr2.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\lprsetup.sh
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\markhint.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\markpath.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\mkcidfm.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\necp2x.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\necp2x6.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\opdfread.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\packfile.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\pcharstr.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\pdf2dsc
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\pdf2dsc.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\pdf2dsc.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\pdf2ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\pdf2ps.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\pdf2ps.cmd
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\PDFA_def.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\pdfwrite.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\PDFX_def.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\pf2afm
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\pf2afm.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\pf2afm.cmd
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\pf2afm.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\pfbtopfa
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\pfbtopfa.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\pfbtopfa.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\pftogsf.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ppath.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\pphs
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\pphs.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\prfont.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\printafm
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\printafm.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2ai.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2ascii
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2ascii.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2ascii.cmd
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2ascii.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2epsi
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2epsi.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2epsi.cmd
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2epsi.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2pdf
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2pdf.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2pdf.cmd
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2pdf12
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2pdf12.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2pdf12.cmd
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2pdf13
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2pdf13.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2pdf13.cmd
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2pdf14
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2pdf14.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2pdf14.cmd
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2pdfwr
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2pdfxx.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2ps.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2ps.cmd
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2ps2
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2ps2.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ps2ps2.cmd
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\quit.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ras1.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ras24.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ras3.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ras32.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ras4.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\ras8m.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\rinkj-2200-setup
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\rollconv.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\showchar.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\showpage.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\st640ih.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\st640ihg.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\st640p.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\st640pg.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\st640pl.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\st640plg.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stc.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stc1520h.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stc2.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stc200_h.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stc2_h.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stc2s_h.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stc300.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stc300bl.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stc300bm.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stc500p.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stc500ph.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stc600ih.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stc600p.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stc600pl.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stc640p.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stc800ih.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stc800p.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stc800pl.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stc_h.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stc_l.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stcany.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stcany_h.upp
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stcinfo.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stcolor.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\stocht.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\traceimg.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\traceop.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\type1enc.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\type1ops.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\uninfo.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\unix-lpr.sh
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\unprot.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\viewcmyk.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\viewgif.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\viewjpeg.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\viewmiff.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\viewpbm.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\viewpcx.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\viewps2a.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\viewrgb.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\wftopfa
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\wftopfa.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\winmaps.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\wmakebat.bat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\wrfont.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Ghostscript\Lib\zeroline.ps
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Images2PDF\Images2PDF.exe
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Images2PDF\Images2PDFC.exe
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Images2PDF\Languages\dutch.ini
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Images2PDF\Languages\english.ini
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Images2PDF\Languages\german.ini
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Images2PDF\Languages\italian.ini
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Images2PDF\Languages\portuguese_br.ini
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Images2PDF\Languages\russian.ini
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\Images2PDF\Languages\ukrainian.ini
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\itextsharp.dll
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\languages\Chinese (Simplified).ini
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\languages\Chinese (Traditional).ini
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\languages\Corsican (France).ini
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\languages\Czech.ini
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\languages\Dutch.ini
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\languages\English.ini
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\languages\French.ini
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\languages\German.ini
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\languages\Italian.ini
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\languages\Lithuanian.ini
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\languages\Polish.ini
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\languages\Portuguese (Brazil).ini
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\languages\Spanish.ini
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\NLog.dll
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\PayPal.ico
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\PDFCreator.Core.dll
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\PDFCreator.exe
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\PDFCreator.Mail.dll
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\PDFCreator.Settings.dll
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\PDFCreator.url
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\PDFCreator.Utilities.dll
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\PDFCreator_english.chm
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\PDFCreator_german.chm
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\pdfforge.ico
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\PDFProcessing.dll
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\PrinterHelper.exe
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\ProcessPrivileges.dll
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\RepairFolderPermissions.exe
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\SetupHelper.exe
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\SetupLog.txt
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\SystemInterface.dll
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\SystemWrapper.dll
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\TrueTypeFontInfo.dll
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\unins000.dat
%Program Files%\PDFCreator\unins000.exe
%ProgramData%\PDF Architect 2\Installation\PDFArchitect2Installer.exe
%ProgramData%\PDF Architect 2\Installation\statistic.xml
%System%\pdfcmon.dll

(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, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.. %Common Programs% is the folder that contains common program groups for all users, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.. %Desktop% is the current user's desktop, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Desktop on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), 7 (32-bit), and 8 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), 7 (64-bit), and 8 (64-bit).. %ProgramData% is a version of the Program Files folder where any user on a multi-user computer can make changes to programs. This contains application data for all users. This is usually C:\ProgramData in Windows Vista, 7, and 8.. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

Other System Modifications

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PDF Architect 2

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PDF Architect 2\
Options

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PDF Architect 2\
Options\General

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PDF Architect 2\
Installation

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PDF Architect 2\
Installation

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PDF Architect 2

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PDF Architect 2\
Links

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PDFCreator.net

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PDFCreator.net\
Program

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PDFCreator.net

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PDFCreator.net\
Settings

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PDFCreator.net\
Settings\ApplicationSettings

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PDFCreator.net\
Program
ApplicationPath = %Program Files%\PDFCreator

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PDFCreator.net\
Settings\ApplicationSettings
Language = English

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PDF Architect 2\
Links
cmp = default

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PDF Architect 2\
Links
DOWNLOAD_LINK = download20.{BLOCKED}hitect.org/module/

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PDF Architect 2\
Links
key1 = default

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PDF Architect 2\
Links
key2 = {installation date}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PDF Architect 2\
Links
params = id={uid}&ref=pdfarchitect.org&cmp=default&key1=default&key2={installation date}&mkey1=default

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PDF Architect 2\
Links
partner = default

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PDF Architect 2\
Links
redirector_link = http://paygw.{BLOCKED}hitect.org/redirect/

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PDF Architect 2\
Links
ref = pdfarchitect.org

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PDF Architect 2\
Links
uid = {uid}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PDF Architect 2\
Installation
INSTALL_FOLDER = %Program Files%\PDF Architect 2

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PDF Architect 2
locale = en

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PDF Architect 2\
Options\General
Allow Automatic Updates = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PDF Architect 2\
Installation
Desktop Shortcut = %Desktop%\PDF Architect 2.lnk

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PDFCreator.net\
Program
ApplicationVersion = 2.0.1.714

Other Details

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

http://update.{BLOCKED}ge.org/pdfcreator/op
http://wsgeoip.{BLOCKED}ft.com/ipservice.asmx

SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.850

SSAPI PATTERN File: 2.113.00

SSAPI PATTERN Date: 18 Oct 2018

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

Remove PUA.Win32.WebCompanion.AA by using its own Uninstall option

[ Learn More ]

To uninstall the grayware process

Step 4

Search and delete these files

[ 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.

%Desktop%\PDF Architect 2.lnk
%ProgramData%\PDF Architect 2\Installation\PDFArchitect2Installer.exe
%ProgramData%\PDF Architect 2\Installation\statistic.xml

Step 5

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

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PUA.Win32.WebCompanion.AA

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