Analysis by: Sammy Chua
ALIASES:

Win32.Application.PCUtilOptimizerPro.C (GData), PUA/OptimizerPro.Gen (Avira), Win32:OptimizerPro-P (Avast)

 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. It may be manually installed by a user.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 5,777,584 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 26 Sep 2014

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.

It may be manually installed by a user.

Installation

This potentially unwanted application drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\is-{random characters 1}.tmp\{malware filename}.tmp - delete afterwards
  • %User Temp%\is-{random characters 2}.tmp\_isetup\_shfoldr.dll - delete afterwards
  • %User Temp%\is-{random characters 2}.tmp\itdownload.dll - delete afterwards
  • %User Temp%\is-{random characters 2}.tmp\OptProCrash.dll - delete afterwards
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\is-{random characters}.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\unins000.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptimizerPro.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\sqlite3.dll
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\scan.gif
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\StartupList.txt
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\CookiesException.txt
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProStart.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProReminder.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProSmartScan.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProGuard.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProSchedule.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProLauncher.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProUninstaller.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\English.ini
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptimizerPro.chm
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\file_id.diz
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\HomePage.url
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\bg_new1.bmp
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProHelper.dll
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\itdownload.dll
  • %Desktop%\Optimizer Pro.lnk
  • {CommonPrograms}\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Optimizer Pro.lnk
  • {CommonPrograms}\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Help.lnk
  • {CommonPrograms}\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Optimizer Pro on the Web.lnk
  • {CommonPrograms}\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Uninstall Optimizer Pro.lnk
  • {CommonPrograms}\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Check updates.lnk
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\unins000.msg
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\unins000.dat
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProCrash.dll
  • %User Temp%\Setup Log {current date} #001.txt

(Note: %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp 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.. %Program Files% is the Program Files folder, where it usually is C:\Program Files on all Windows operating system versions; C:\Program Files (x86) for 32-bit applications running on Windows 64-bit operating systems.. %Desktop% is the desktop folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Desktop in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop in 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.)

Other System Modifications

This potentially unwanted application adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro_is1

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Optimizer Pro = "%Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProLauncher.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
LoadAppInit_DLLs = "1"

Other Details

This potentially unwanted application connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}o.info/get/?q={data}

NOTES:

{CommonPrograms} is "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs" for Windows XP and below, and "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs" for Windows Vista and above.

It adds the following registry entries as it installs:


HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
AppStart = {"0" or "1}
BtnFixPressed = "1"
BuyNowURL = ""
DisplayName = "Optimizer Pro"
InstallDate = "{hex values}"
InstallStat = "1"
ItemsCleaned = "0"
ItemsToClean = "{random number}"
ItemsToFix = "{random number}"
ItemsToScan = "1111111111"
Language = "1"
LastScanChecked = "1111011"
LastScanFound = "355"
LastVersionChecking = "{hex values}"
LogDir = "%Application Data%\Optimizer Pro\Log"
ProblemsFixed = "0"
Reminder = "1"
ResidualFilesCleaned = "0"
RunDate = "{hex values}"
ShowRebootMessage = "1"
SpeedGuard = "0"
Stat1a = "293"
UndoDir = "%Application Data%\Optimizer Pro\Undo"
UpgradeID = "BZDV_PCSM_ML_PCUP_OPTIMIZERPRO_RED"
UseExceptionList = "1"
Version = "3.2"
cufValue = "CUF=0"
culValue = ""
s_Enable = "0"
s_SmartExec = "0"
s_SmartMode = "0"
s_SmartScan = "1"
s_Time = "{hex values}"


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Optimizer Pro_is1
DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProLauncher.exe"
DisplayName = "Optimizer Pro v3.2"
Inno Setup: App Path = "%Program Files%\Optimizer Pro"
Inno Setup: Deselected Tasks = ""
Inno Setup: Icon Group = "Optimizer Pro v3.2"
Inno Setup: Language = "en"
Inno Setup: Selected Tasks = "desktopicon"
Inno Setup: Setup Version = "5.5.3 (u)"
Inno Setup: User = "{user name}"
InstallDate = "{current date}"
InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\"
NoModify = "1"
NoRepair = "1"
QuietUninstallString = ""%Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\unins000.exe" /SILENT"
UninstallString = ""%Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\unins000.exe""

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
SSAPI PATTERN File: 1.707.00
SSAPI PATTERN Date: 18 Feb 2016

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 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
    • Optimizer Pro
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • Optimizer Pro_is1

Step 5

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\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • Optimizer Pro = "%Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProLauncher.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
    • LoadAppInit_DLLs = "1"

Step 6

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.
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\is-{random characters}.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\unins000.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptimizerPro.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\sqlite3.dll
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\scan.gif
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\StartupList.txt
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\CookiesException.txt
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProStart.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProReminder.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProSmartScan.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProGuard.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProSchedule.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProLauncher.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProUninstaller.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\English.ini
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptimizerPro.chm
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\file_id.diz
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\HomePage.url
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\bg_new1.bmp
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProHelper.dll
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\itdownload.dll
  • %Desktop%\Optimizer Pro.lnk
  • {CommonPrograms}\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Optimizer Pro.lnk
  • {CommonPrograms}\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Help.lnk
  • {CommonPrograms}\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Optimizer Pro on the Web.lnk
  • {CommonPrograms}\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Uninstall Optimizer Pro.lnk
  • {CommonPrograms}\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Check updates.lnk
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\unins000.msg
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\unins000.dat
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro\OptProCrash.dll
  • %User Temp%\Setup Log {current date} #001.txt

Step 7

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