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PUA_PCOPTIMIZERPRO.GA

October 11, 2015
 Analysis by: Pearl Charlaine Espejo
 ALIASES:

not-a-virus:RiskTool.Win32.OptimizerPro.b (Kaspersky); Riskware.Win32.OptimizerPro.dvsycf (NANO-Antivirus); PUA.OptimizerPro (Symantec); Riskware/OptimizerPro (Fortinet); Application.Win32.Optimizero.J (Comodo)

 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, , Dropped by other malware

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.

It does not have any propagation routine.

It does not have any backdoor routine.

It connects to certain websites to send and receive information.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

5,980,624 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

09 Sep 2015

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs

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:

  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\English.ini
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\HomePage.url
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\OptProCrash.dll
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\OptProGuard.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\OptProHelper.dll
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\OptProLauncher.exe - detected as ADW_PCOptimizerPro
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\OptProReminder.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\OptProSchedule.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\OptProSmartScan.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\OptProStart.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\OptProUninstaller.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\OptimizerPro.chm
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\OptimizerPro.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\StartupList.txt
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\bg_new3.bmp
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\cancel.bmp
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\file_id.diz
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\itdownload.dll
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\scan.gif
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\sqlite3.dll
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\unins000.dat
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\unins000.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\unins000.msg
  • %Desktop%\Optimizer Pro.lnk - shortcut to OptimizerPro.exe
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\CookiesException.txt
  • %User Profile%\My Documents\Optimizer Pro\CookiesException.txt (Windows XP and below)
  • %All Users Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Uninstall Optimizer Pro.lnk (Windows XP and below)
  • %All Users Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Optimizer Pro.lnk (Windows XP and below)
  • %All Users Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Check updates.lnk (Windows XP and below)
  • %All Users Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Help.lnk (Windows XP and below)
  • %All Users Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Optimizer Pro on the Web.lnk (Windows XP and below)
  • %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Uninstall Optimizer Pro.lnk (Windows Vista and above)
  • %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Optimizer Pro.lnk (Windows Vista and above)
  • %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Check updates.lnk (Windows Vista and above)
  • %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Help.lnk (Windows Vista and above)
  • %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Optimizer Pro v3.2\Optimizer Pro on the Web.lnk (Windows Vista and above)
  • %User Temp%\is-{random characters}.tmp\optprosetup.tmp - deleted afterwards
  • %User Temp%\is-{random characters}.tmp\itdownload.dll - deleted afterwards
  • %User Temp%\is-{random characters}.tmp\OptProCrash.dll - deleted afterwards
  • %User Temp%\is-{random characters}.tmp\OptProHelper.dll - deleted afterwards
  • %User Temp%\is-{random characters}.tmp\_isetup\_shfoldr.dll - deleted afterwards

(Note: %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.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.. %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.. %ProgramData% is the Program Data folder, where it usually is C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\ProgramData 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.)

It creates the following folders:

  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11
  • %User Profile%\My Documents\Optimizer Pro (Windows XP and below)
  • %All Users Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Optimizer Pro v3.2 (Windows XP and below)
  • %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Optimizer Pro v3.2 (Windows Vista and above)
  • %Application Data%\Optimizer Pro
  • %Application Data%\Optimizer Pro\Log
  • %Application Data%\Optimizer Pro\Undo
  • %Application Data%\Optimizer Pro\Backup
  • %User Temp%\OptimizerPro.madExcept - deleted afterwards
  • %User Temp%\is-{random characters}.tmp - deleted afterwards
  • %User Temp%\is-{random characters}.tmp\_isetup - deleted afterwards
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\is-{random characters}.tmp - deleted afterwards

(Note: %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 Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.. %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.. %ProgramData% is the Program Data folder, where it usually is C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\ProgramData 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.. %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.. %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
Optimizer Pro = "%Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\OptProLauncher.exe"

It drops the following files:

  • %System%\Tasks\Optimizer Pro Schedule (Windows Vista and above)

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

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 v3.2_is1

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
SessionID = "{ID}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
cufValue = "CUF={number}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
culValue = ""

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
Language = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
InstallDate = "{hex value}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
DisplayName = "Optimizer Pro"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
Version = "3.2"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
Reminder = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
SpeedGuard = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
AppStart = "{number}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
LastVersionChecking = "{hex value}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
LogDir = "%Application Data%\Optimizer Pro\Log"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
UndoDir = "%Application Data%\Optimizer Pro\Undo"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
ItemsToScan = "{numbers}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
UseExceptionList = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
ShowRebootMessage = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
s_SmartScan = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
s_SmartExec = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
s_SmartMode = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
s_Enable = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
s_Time = "{hex value}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
BuyNowURL = ""

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
UpgradeID = "{data}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
ProblemsFixed = "{number}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
ItemsCleaned = "{number}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
ResidualFilesCleaned = "{number}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
RunDate = "{hex value}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
ItemsToFix = "{numbers}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
ItemsToClean = "{numbers}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
Stat1a = "{numbers}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
LastScanFound = "{numbers}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
LastScanChecked = "{numbers}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Optimizer Pro
InstallStat = "{number}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro v3.2_is1
Inno Setup: Setup Version = "5.5.3 (u)"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro v3.2_is1
Inno Setup: App Path = "%Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro v3.2_is1
InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro v3.2_is1
Inno Setup: Icon Group = "Optimizer Pro v3.2"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro v3.2_is1
Inno Setup: User = "{username}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro v3.2_is1
Inno Setup: Selected Tasks = "desktopicon"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro v3.2_is1
Inno Setup: Deselected Tasks = ""

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro v3.2_is1
Inno Setup: Language = "en"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro v3.2_is1
DisplayName = "Optimizer Pro v3.2"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro v3.2_is1
DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\OptProLauncher.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro v3.2_is1
UninstallString = ""%Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\unins000.exe""

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro v3.2_is1
QuietUninstallString = ""%Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\unins000.exe" /SILENT"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro v3.2_is1
DisplayVersion = "3.2.0.3"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro v3.2_is1
Publisher = "PC Utilities Software Limited"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro v3.2_is1
URLInfoAbout = "http://www.pcutilitiespro.com"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro v3.2_is1
HelpLink = "http://www.pcutilitiespro.com"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro v3.2_is1
URLUpdateInfo = "http://www.pcutilitiespro.com"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro v3.2_is1
NoModify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro v3.2_is1
NoRepair = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro v3.2_is1
InstallDate = "{Installation date}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro v3.2_is1
MajorVersion = "3"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Optimizer Pro v3.2_is1
MinorVersion = "2"

Propagation

This potentially unwanted application does not have any propagation routine.

Backdoor Routine

This potentially unwanted application does not have any backdoor routine.

Other Details

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

  • http://{BLOCKED}o.info/install/
  • http://{BLOCKED}o.info/get/?q={data}
  • http://{BLOCKED}ew.com/get/?q={data}
  • http://{BLOCKED}e.smartpcupdate.com/rpc/sendspminstall?partner=BZDV_PCSM_ML_PCUP_OPTIMIZERPRO_RED&build=3.2
  • http://{BLOCKED}alive.com/get/?q={data}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}itiespro.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}web.info/get/

NOTES:

This potentially unwanted application gathers the following information from the affected computer:

  • Registry entries and values
  • Temporary Internet files and folders
  • Web Histories and Cookies
  • Program shortcuts
  • Startup programs
  • Files from the following locations:
    • %User Temp%
    • %Temp%
    • %System Root%\RECYCLER
    • %User Profile%\Recent

It displays fake the following scan results and warnings about the optimization status of the infected computer:

It then asks the user to buy the full version of the software to clean and fix all problems of their machine.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.750

SSAPI PATTERN File:

1.658.13

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

11 Sep 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
    • Optimizer Pro = "%Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11\OptProLauncher.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
    • Optimizer Pro
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • Optimizer Pro v3.2_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.
  • %User Temp%\OptimizerPro.madExcept
  • %User Temp%\is-{random characters}.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Optimizer Pro 3.11
  • %User Profile%\My Documents\Optimizer Pro (Windows XP and below)
  • %All Users Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Optimizer Pro v3.2 (Windows XP and below)
  • %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Optimizer Pro v3.2 (Windows Vista and above)
  • %Application Data%\Optimizer Pro

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.
  • %Desktop%\Optimizer Pro.lnk
  • %System%\Tasks\Optimizer Pro Schedule

Step 8

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