Modified by: RonJay Kristoffer Caragay
ALIASES:

RiskTool.Win32.OptimizerPro.e (Kaspersky); PUA/OptimizerPro.Gen (AntiVir)

 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: 5,940,848 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 13 Jul 2015

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 copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %All Users Profile%\Application Data\{GUID}\hqghumeaylnlf.exe

(Note: %All Users Profile% is the All Users folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\ProgramData 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.)

It drops the following files:

  • %Desktop%\Super Optimizer.lnk
  • %User Temp%\supoptsetup.exe
  • %All Users Profile%\Application Data\{GUID}\hqghumeaylnlf.dat
  • %User Temp%\is-{random 1}.tmp\supoptsetup.tmp
  • %User Temp%\is-{random 2}.tmp\_isetup
  • %User Temp%\is-{random 2}.tmp\_isetup\_shfoldr.dll
  • %User Temp%\is-{random 2}.tmp\SupOptHelper.dll
  • %User Temp%\is-{random 2}.tmp\SupOptStats.dll

(Note: %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.. %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.. %All Users Profile% is the All Users folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\ProgramData 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.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %All Users Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Super Optimizer
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer
  • %User Temp%\is-{random 1}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\is-{random 2}.tmp
  • %All Users Profile%\Application Data\{GUID}

(Note: %All Users Profile% is the All Users folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\ProgramData 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.. %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.)

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Super Optimizer = "%Program Files%\Super Optimizer\SupOptLauncher.exe"

It drops the following files:

  • %User Startup%\hqghumeaylnlf.lnk

(Note: %User Startup% is the current user's Startup folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows NT, and C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.)

Other System Modifications

This potentially unwanted application adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Super Optimizer

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Super Optimizer_is1

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Super Optimizer
AdsBuyNowURL = "http://supc29.superpctools.revenuewire.net/spu/register?{value}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Super Optimizer
AdsDownloadURL = "http://dl.superpcdownload.net/221001922/SuperUpdaterSetup.exe"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Super Optimizer
AdsHost = "dl.superpcdownload.net"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Super Optimizer
BuyNowURL = "http://gen.securedshopgate.com/?{value}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Super Optimizer
CBM = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Super Optimizer
DelayedStart = "5"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Super Optimizer
HomePageURL = "http://www.superpctools.com"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Super Optimizer
IR = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Super Optimizer
Language = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Super Optimizer
Querry = "http://bi.superpcdownload.net/t/i/sp?{value}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Super Optimizer
SC = "http://gen.securedshopgate.com/?{value}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Super Optimizer
SessionID = "{GUID}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Super Optimizer
SetupName = "%Desktop%\{grayware filename}.exe"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Super Optimizer
SupportURL = "http://superpctools.com/support/"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Super Optimizer
UninstallURL = "https://safecart.com/superpctools/.spo-special/purchase?sid={value}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Super Optimizer
UseAds = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Super Optimizer_is1
DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\Super Optimizer\SupOptLauncher.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Super Optimizer_is1
DisplayName = "Super Optimizer v3.2"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Super Optimizer_is1
DisplayVersion = "3.2.0.1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Super Optimizer_is1
HelpLink = "http://www.superpctools.com/"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Super Optimizer_is1
Inno Setup: App Path = "%Program Files%\Super Optimizer"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Super Optimizer_is1
Inno Setup: Deselected Tasks = ""

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Super Optimizer_is1
Inno Setup: Icon Group = "Super Optimizer"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Super Optimizer_is1
Inno Setup: Language = "en"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Super Optimizer_is1
Inno Setup: Selected Tasks = "desktopicon"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Super Optimizer_is1
Inno Setup: Setup Version = "5.5.3 (u)"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Super Optimizer_is1
Inno Setup: User = "dyituser_xp32"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Super Optimizer_is1
InstallDate = "{date of installation}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Super Optimizer_is1
InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\Super Optimizer\"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Super Optimizer_is1
NoModify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Super Optimizer_is1
NoRepair = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Super Optimizer_is1
Publisher = "Super PC Tools ltd"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Super Optimizer_is1
QuietUninstallString = ""%Program Files%\Super Optimizer\unins000.exe" /SILENT"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Super Optimizer_is1
UninstallString = ""%Program Files%\Super Optimizer\unins000.exe""

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Super Optimizer_is1
UninstallString = ""%Program Files%\Super Optimizer\unins000.exe" /VERYSILENT"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Super Optimizer_is1
URLInfoAbout = "http://www.superpctools.com/"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Super Optimizer_is1
URLUpdateInfo = "http://www.superpctools.com/"

Dropping Routine

This potentially unwanted application drops the following files:

  • %All Users Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Super Optimizer\Check updates.lnk
  • %All Users Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Super Optimizer\Help.lnk
  • %All Users Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Super Optimizer\Super Optimizer on the Web.lnk
  • %All Users Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Super Optimizer\Super Optimizer.lnk
  • %All Users Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Super Optimizer\Uninstall Super Optimizer.lnk
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer\CookiesException.txt
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer\English.ini
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer\file_id.diz
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer\HomePage.url
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer\scan.gif
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer\sqlite3.dll
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer\StartupList.txt
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer\SuperOptimizer.chm
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer\SuperOptimizer.exe
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer\SupOptGuard.exe
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer\SupOptHelper.dll
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer\SupOptLauncher.exe
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer\SupOptReminder.exe
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer\SupOptSchedule.exe
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer\SupOptSmartScan.exe
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer\SupOptStart.exe
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer\SupOptStart.exe
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer\SupOptStats.dll
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer\SupOptUninstaller.exe
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer\unins000.dat
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer\unins000.exe
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer\unins000.msg

(Note: %All Users Profile% is the All Users folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\ProgramData 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.)

Other Details

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

  • http://{BLOCKED}ptimizeit.com/get/?q={value}
  • http://{BLOCKED}ptimizeit.com/install/
  • http://{BLOCKED}opt.com/inst?

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.750
SSAPI PATTERN File: 1.641.00
SSAPI PATTERN Date: 16 Jul 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\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • Super Optimizer = "%Program Files%\Super Optimizer\SupOptLauncher.exe"

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
    • Super Optimizer
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • Super Optimizer_is1

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%\Start Menu\Programs\Super Optimizer
  • %Program Files%\Super Optimizer
  • %User Temp%\is-{random 1}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\is-{random 2}.tmp
  • %All Users Profile%\Application Data\{GUID}

Step 7

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 Startup%\hqghumeaylnlf.lnk
  • %Desktop%\Super Optimizer.lnk
  • %User Temp%\supoptsetup.exe

Step 8

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


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.