ADW_METER
Adware.DealPly (Symantec); PUP.Optional.PriceMeter.A (Malwarebytes); Riskware/DealPly (Fortinet); a variant of Win32/DealPly.Q (ESET-NOD32);
Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)
![](/vinfo/imgFiles/legend.jpg)
Threat Type: Adware
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: No
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
Downloaded from the Internet
This adware may arrive bundled with malware packages as a malware component. It 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.
It acts as a Browser Helper Object (BHO) that monitors a user's Internet-browsing habits.
It does not have any propagation routine.
It does not have any backdoor routine.
It does not have any downloading capability.
It displays pop-up advertisements.
It connects to certain websites to send and receive information.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
873,984 bytes
EXE
No
30 May 2014
Connects to URLs/IPs
Arrival Details
This adware may arrive bundled with malware packages as a malware component.
It 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 adware drops the following files:
- %User Temp%\scoped_dir{random numbers}_{random numbers}\Cookies
- %User Temp%\scoped_dir{random numbers}_{random numbers}\Cookies-journal
- %User Temp%\scoped_dir{random numbers}_{random numbers}\index
- %User Temp%\scoped_dir{random numbers}_{random numbers}\data_{pseudorandom value}
- %User Temp%\scoped_dir{random numbers}_{random numbers}\f_{6 pseudorandom value}
(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.)
It creates the following folders:
- %User Temp%\scoped_dir{random numbers}_{random numbers}
(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.)
Autostart Technique
This adware acts as a Browser Helper Object (BHO) that monitors a user's Internet-browsing habits.
Other System Modifications
This adware adds the following registry keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PriceMeter
It adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PriceMeter
activePM = "{value}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PriceMeter
firstdet = "{value}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PriceMeter
firstFlach = "{value}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PriceMeter
firstStart = "{value}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PriceMeter
hbpm__ = "{value}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PriceMeter
pmafterhdnl = "{value}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PriceMeter
quickVer = "9"
Propagation
This adware does not have any propagation routine.
Backdoor Routine
This adware does not have any backdoor routine.
Download Routine
This adware does not have any downloading capability.
Adware Routine
This adware displays pop-up advertisements.
Other Details
This adware connects to the following website to send and receive information:
- http://srv-live.{BLOCKED}a.com.ph
- http://s.{BLOCKED}pm.com/
- http://q.{BLOCKED}pm.com/
- http://o.{BLOCKED}pm.com/
- http://m.{BLOCKED}pm.com/
- http://h.{BLOCKED}pm.com/
- http://ft.{BLOCKED}pmt.com/
- http://f.{BLOCKED}pm.com/
- http://es.{BLOCKED}pm.com/
- http://c.{BLOCKED}pm.com/
- http://{BLOCKED}n.com
NOTES:
This adware requires its components to run properly. It is used to monitor browsing activity and display pop-ups when visiting online selling websites to offer alternative products similar to below:
It does not have rootkit capabilities.
It does not exploit any vulnerability.
SOLUTION
9.700
1.533.00
06 Aug 2014
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
Search and delete these folders
- %User Temp%\scoped_dir{random numbers}_{random numbers}
Step 4
Delete this registry key
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
- PriceMeter
- PriceMeter
Step 5
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as ADW_METER. 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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