Analysis by: Nice Yutuc
 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Spyware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This spyware may be dropped by other malware.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 60,928 bytes
File Type: DLL
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 07 Oct 2011

Arrival Details

This spyware may be dropped by other malware.

Autostart Technique

This spyware adds the following registry entries to install itself as a Browser Helper Object (BHO):

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{2F8D500E-4546-45b7-9236-D4FD9850CF1C}
@ = "infoaxe.com Toolbar"

Other System Modifications

This spyware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2F8D500E-4546-45b7-9236-D4FD9850CF1C}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{717EDDE0-444F-4ff0-B9C9-F60EC423E690}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{9204003D-2AE5-497E-999E-465CD5316C3E}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Infoaxe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{2F8D500E-4546-45b7-9236-D4FD9850CF1C}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{717EDDE0-444F-4ff0-B9C9-F60EC423E690}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{9204003D-2AE5-497E-999E-465CD5316C3E}

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\URLSearchHooks
{717EDDE0-444F-4ff0-B9C9-F60EC423E690} = ""

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 1.224.12
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 11 Oct 2011
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 1.225.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 13 Oct 2011

Step 1

For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.

Step 2

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as SPYW_INFOAXE

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\Internet Explorer\URLSearchHooks
    • {717EDDE0-444F-4ff0-B9C9-F60EC423E690} = ""

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects
    • {2F8D500E-4546-45b7-9236-D4FD9850CF1C}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {2F8D500E-4546-45b7-9236-D4FD9850CF1C}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {717EDDE0-444F-4ff0-B9C9-F60EC423E690}
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
    • {9204003D-2AE5-497E-999E-465CD5316C3E}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • Infoaxe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID
    • {2F8D500E-4546-45b7-9236-D4FD9850CF1C}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID
    • {717EDDE0-444F-4ff0-B9C9-F60EC423E690}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID
    • {9204003D-2AE5-497E-999E-465CD5316C3E}

Step 6

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