ADW_ADSHOW


 ALIASES:

DownloadAdmin (fs) (Sunbelt); Download Admin (Sophos); Win32/DownloadAdmin.G (ESET-NOD32)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)

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

  • Threat Type: Adware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware

This adware 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 connects to certain websites to send and receive information.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

833,448 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

22 May 2014

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs

Arrival Details

This adware 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 adds the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\apps
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\LuaSocket
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\wininet

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.)

It drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\__web.xml
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\ButtonEvent.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\customNsWeb.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\AdvancedTests.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\api_substitution.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\async_tracking.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\bit.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\BrowserControl.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\browserutils.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\bundleinstall.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\callbackproxy.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\data_injection.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\definitions.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\DownloadList.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\downloads.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\DownloadThread.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\eagerinstall.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\env.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\Events.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\extension.tlb
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\ffi.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\FloatingProgress.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\GuiInit.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\IntegratedOffer.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\json.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\lua51.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\LuaBridge.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\luacom.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\LuaSocket\lua\ltn12.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\LuaSocket\lua\mime.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\LuaSocket\lua\socket.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\LuaSocket\lua\socket\ftp.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\LuaSocket\lua\socket\http.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\LuaSocket\lua\socket\smtp.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\LuaSocket\lua\socket\tp.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\LuaSocket\lua\socket\url.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\LuaSocket\mime\core.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\LuaSocket\socket\core.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\luaxml.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\LuaXml_lib.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\net_utils.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\notifyicon.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\nsis7z.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\nsisunz.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\packaged_app.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\processfreefile.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\sandbox.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\scheduler.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\service_registry.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin.zip
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\assets\.DS_Store
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\assets\accept.png
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\assets\accept-lg.png
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\assets\back.png
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\assets\cancel.png
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\assets\close.png
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\assets\decline.png
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\assets\default_logo.png
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\assets\main.css
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\assets\next.png
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\assets\progress.gif
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\assets\progress-bar.gif
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\assets\progressPause.gif
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\assets\skin.png
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\assets\step_bg.png
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\assets\step_off.png
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\assets\step_on.png
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\index.html
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\options.json
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\res\common.css
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\res\common.js
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\res\jquery.js
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\skin\res\knockout.js
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\survey_environment.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\System.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\UACInfo.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\uistate.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\un.package.exe
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\utils.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\version.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\vm_details.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\win32_constants.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\wininet\compat.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\wininet\core.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\wininet\defs.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\wininet\ftp.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\wininet\http.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\wininet\ltn12.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\wininet\url.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\wininet\wininet_h.lua
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\wininet\wintypes.lua

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.)

Download Routine

This adware connects to the following URL(s) to download its configuration file:

  • http://mirror.{BLOCKED}files.com/binstallers/BM2/filehelp/ipage/FreeFileOpener.mht
  • http://mirror.{BLOCKED}files.com/products/BM2/combos/tidy_commondicitonary_optimizerpro_triple_628.mht
  • http://mirror.{BLOCKED}files.com/products/BM2/combos/tidy_stormwatch_optimizerpro_triple_628_3.mht
  • http://mirror.{BLOCKED}files.com/products/BM2/combos/tidy_stormwatch_systemoptimizerpro_628_3.mht
  • http://mirror.{BLOCKED}files.com/products/BM2/combos/tidy_stormwatch_pcoptpro_628_3.mht
  • http://mirror.{BLOCKED}files.com/products/BM2/combos/tidy_stormalerts_optimizerpro_triple_628_2.mht
  • http://mirror.{BLOCKED}files.com/products/BM2/combos/searchsnacks_stormwatch_optimizerpro_triple_628_2.mht
  • http://mirror.{BLOCKED}files.com/products/BM2/628/uniform/optimizerpro_tidy_double628.mht
  • http://mirror.{BLOCKED}files.com/products/BM2/combos/stormwatch_tidy_double_628_3.mht
  • http://mirror.{BLOCKED}files.com/products/BM2/combos/stormalerts_tidy_double628.mht
  • http://mirror.{BLOCKED}files.com/products/BM2/combos/optimizerpro_stormwatch_combo_628_3.mht
  • http://mirror.{BLOCKED}files.com/products/BM2/combos/optimizerpro_stormalerts_combo_628.mht
  • http://mirror.{BLOCKED}files.com/products/BM2/TNT/ipage/findwide_icy628.mht

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\1\FreeFileOpener.mht
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\19\tidy_commondicitonary_optimizerpro_triple_628.mht
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\22\tidy_stormwatch_optimizerpro_triple_628_3.mht
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\25\tidy_stormwatch_systemoptimizerpro_628_3.mht
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\28\tidy_stormwatch_pcoptpro_628_3.mht
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\31\tidy_stormalerts_optimizerpro_triple_628_2.mht
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\34\searchsnacks_stormwatch_optimizerpro_triple_628_2.mht
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\37\optimizerpro_tidy_double628.mht
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\39\stormwatch_tidy_double_628_3.mht
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\41\stormalerts_tidy_double628.mht
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\43\optimizerpro_stormwatch_combo_628_3.mht
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\45\optimizerpro_stormalerts_combo_628.mht
  • %User Temp%\ns{random}.tmp\145\findwide_icy628.mht

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.)

Other Details

This adware connects to the following website to send and receive information:

  • http://service.{BLOCKED}admin.com/install?s=FFO&brand=filehelp.com&pid=filehelp&bc={value}&country={region}
  • http://service.{BLOCKED}admin.com/install?s=FFO&brand=filehelp.com&pid=filehelp&bc={value}&country={region}
  • http://mirror.{BLOCKED}files.com/skins/da/06032014/megazord_skin_cancel.zip
  • http://service.{BLOCKED}admin.com/env?s=FFO&brand=filehelp.com&pid=filehelp&bc={value}&country={region}
  • http://service.{BLOCKED}admin.com/start?s=FFO&brand=filehelp.com&pid=filehelp&bc={value}&country={region}

NOTES:

This adware is an installer software which downloads other free software. it checks if the version of Internet Explorer browser installed on the affected computer is 7 or higher. If it is not, it displays the following message:

It connects to the following URLs to download and execute other software:

  • http://cdn1.{BLOCKED}opener.com/FreeFileOpenerSetup.exe
  • http://mirror.{BLOCKED}files.com/tnt2/freshy/FreshyToolbar.exe
  • http://dl.{BLOCKED}vers.net/111001042/OptimizerPro.exe
  • http://mirror.{BLOCKED}files.com/products/BM2/searchsnacks/exe/searchsnacks_932014.exe
  • http://mirror.{BLOCKED}files.com/tn/TidyNetwork.exe

If the server where it gets its configurations and other data is unavailable, it displays the following message:

If all the conditions are met, this adware display its user interface containing offered software and its EULA:

It then starts the downloads and installation:

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.700

SSAPI PATTERN File:

1.550.35

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

22 Sep 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

Identify and terminate files detected as ADW_ADSHOW

[ Learn More ]
  1. Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
  2. If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

Step 4

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%\ns{random}.tmp

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as ADW_ADSHOW. 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.