Analysis by: Sammy Chua
ALIASES:

a variant of Win32/24x7Help.B potentially unwanted (ESET-NOD32); Adware.24x7Help/Variant (SUPERAntiSpyware); PUA.Win32.24x7Help.B (Baidu-International)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Potentially Unwanted Application

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel: Downloaded from the Internet

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 connects to certain websites to send and receive information.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 1,887,824 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 06 Oct 2015
Payload: Connects to URLs/IPs, Displays graphics/image

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 component file(s):

  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7Dark001_SettingsActive.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7Dark001_SettingsBack.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7Dark001_SettingsHover.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7Dark_NoTabs_Back00.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7Dark_NoTabs_PhoneIcon.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7_UploaderDark01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7bubble_Left.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7bubble_Right.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7bubble_X00.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7bubble_X01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7bubble_X02.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7logoNew_dark01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7man_dark01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\ArrowSmall.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\ArrowSmallHot.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\Hardware_Icon.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\HotInactiveTabLeft.bmp
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\HotInactiveTabRight.bmp
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\MainImg_SettingsDark01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\Navigation_HomeIcon00_Dark01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\Navigation_HomeIcon01_Dark01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\Navigation_SettingsIcon00_Dark01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\Navigation_SettingsIcon01_Dark01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\OK_IconGreen01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\PeriodicSystemCheckBubble.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\Phones_Icon.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\PushedInactiveTabLeft.bmp
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\PushedInactiveTabRight.bmp
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\Security_Icon.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\Software_Icon.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\SupportCheck01_arrow00.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\SupportCheck01_arrow01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\Warning_Icon01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\Warning_IconOrange01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\Warning_IconRed01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\WhiteTabLeft.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\WhiteTabRight.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\bubble.xml
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\skin.xml

(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.)

Autostart Technique

This potentially unwanted application adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
24x7HELP = ""{malware path}\{malware name}" /STARTUP"

Other System Modifications

This potentially unwanted application adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\24x7HELP

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\24x7HELP

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\24x7HELP
LANG_ID = "{language code}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\24x7HELP
TECHSUPPORT_TEXT = "{text}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\24x7HELP
REPRESENTATIVE_ICON = "{1 TO 8}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\24x7HELP
INSTALL_DATE = "{data}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\24x7HELP
LAST_SENDDATA = "{data}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\24x7HELP
SYSTEMCHECK_COUNTER = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\24x7HELP
LAST_PERIODIC_SYSTEMCHECK = "{data}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\24x7HELP
PHONE_NUMBER = "1-855-760-2497"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\24x7HELP
TABS = "PHONE,RESOURCE_CENTER"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\24x7HELP
BUBBLE_OVER_COUNTER = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\24x7HELP
LAST_HIT = "{data}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\24x7HELP
UID = "{data}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\24x7HELP
SHOW_TRAY = "{1 or 0}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\24x7HELP
RUN_AT_STARTUP = "{1 or 0}"

Other Details

This potentially unwanted application connects to the following website to send and receive information:

  • http://www.{BLOCKED}lp.org/api/client.asmx/SendData4
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}lp.org/api/client.asmx/SendLog

It displays the following message boxes:



NOTES:

It connects to the following URLs when click on the links above:

  • http://www.{BLOCKED}lp.org/redirect.aspx?app=24x7&targetApp=ST&campaign=LP&lng=en
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}lp.org/redirect.aspx?app=24x7&targetApp=PCRx&campaign=LP&lng=en
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}lp.org/redirect.aspx?app=24x7&targetApp=SO&campaign=LP&lng=en

It allows the user to change some options via its settings:

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.750
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 1.669.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 22 Oct 2015

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 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\24x7HELP
    • LANG_ID = "{language code}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\24x7HELP
    • TECHSUPPORT_TEXT = "{text}"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\24x7HELP
    • REPRESENTATIVE_ICON = "{1 TO 8}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\24x7HELP
    • INSTALL_DATE = "{data}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\24x7HELP
    • LAST_SENDDATA = "{data}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\24x7HELP
    • SYSTEMCHECK_COUNTER = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\24x7HELP
    • LAST_PERIODIC_SYSTEMCHECK = "{data}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\24x7HELP
    • PHONE_NUMBER = "1-855-760-2497"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\24x7HELP
    • TABS = "PHONE,RESOURCE_CENTER"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\24x7HELP
    • BUBBLE_OVER_COUNTER = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\24x7HELP
    • LAST_HIT = "{data}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\24x7HELP
    • UID = "{data}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\24x7HELP
    • SHOW_TRAY = "{1 or 0}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\24x7HELP
    • RUN_AT_STARTUP = "{1 or 0}"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • 24x7HELP = ""{malware path}\{malware name}" /STARTUP"

Step 5

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\24x7HELP
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\24x7HELP

Step 6

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.  
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7Dark001_SettingsActive.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7Dark001_SettingsBack.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7Dark001_SettingsHover.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7Dark_NoTabs_Back00.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7Dark_NoTabs_PhoneIcon.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7_UploaderDark01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7bubble_Left.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7bubble_Right.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7bubble_X00.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7bubble_X01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7bubble_X02.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7logoNew_dark01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\24x7man_dark01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\ArrowSmall.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\ArrowSmallHot.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\Hardware_Icon.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\HotInactiveTabLeft.bmp
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\HotInactiveTabRight.bmp
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\MainImg_SettingsDark01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\Navigation_HomeIcon00_Dark01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\Navigation_HomeIcon01_Dark01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\Navigation_SettingsIcon00_Dark01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\Navigation_SettingsIcon01_Dark01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\OK_IconGreen01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\PeriodicSystemCheckBubble.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\Phones_Icon.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\PushedInactiveTabLeft.bmp
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\PushedInactiveTabRight.bmp
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\Security_Icon.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\Software_Icon.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\SupportCheck01_arrow00.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\SupportCheck01_arrow01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\Warning_Icon01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\Warning_IconOrange01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\Warning_IconRed01.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\WhiteTabLeft.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\WhiteTabRight.png
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\bubble.xml
  • %Application Data%\24x7 Help\skin\skin.xml

Step 7

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as PUA_24X7HELP.GA. 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.

Step 8

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as PUA_24X7HELP.GA. 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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