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ADW_Spigot

August 02, 2017
 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Adware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

1,794,656 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

08 Jan 2016

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.

Installation

This Adware creates the following folders:

  • %System Root%\DOCUME~1
  • %System Root%\DOCUME~1\Wilbert
  • %User Profile%\LOCALS~1
  • %User Temp%\nsy5.tmp
  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\Wilbert
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\BrowserExtensions

(Note: %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.. %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.. %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 adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Browser Extensions = "%User Profile%\BrowserExtensions\BEHelper.exe "

Other System Modifications

This Adware deletes the following files:

  • %User Temp%\nse1.tmp
  • %User Temp%\nsy5.tmp

(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 adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\
{CAE9BEC8-4723-4347-AFC6-25EE3326BA5B}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\
{90E4CD0C-426F-4207-805B-7885AB32D43F}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\
Software\Browser Extensions

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\
Software\Browser Extensions\firefox

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\
{CAE9BEC8-4723-4347-AFC6-25EE3326BA5B}
AppName = "BEHelper.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\
{CAE9BEC8-4723-4347-AFC6-25EE3326BA5B}
AppPath = "%User Profile%\Application Data\BrowserExtensions"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\
{CAE9BEC8-4723-4347-AFC6-25EE3326BA5B}
Policy = "3"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\
{90E4CD0C-426F-4207-805B-7885AB32D43F}
AppName = "BEHelper.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\
{90E4CD0C-426F-4207-805B-7885AB32D43F}
AppPath = "%User Profile%\Application Data\BrowserExtensions"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\
{90E4CD0C-426F-4207-805B-7885AB32D43F}
Policy = "3"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\
Software\Browser Extensions
SS_Ver = "2.8.8.11"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
DisplayIcon = "%User Profile%\BrowserExtensions\BEHelper.exe,0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
DisplayName = "Browser Extensions"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
UninstallString = "%User Profile%\BrowserExtensions\uninstall.exe "

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
Publisher = "Spigot, Inc."

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
URLInfoAbout = "http://www.{BLOCKED}t.com"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
NoModify = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
NoRepair = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
InstallLocation = "%User Profile%\Application Data\BrowserExtensions"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
VersionMajor = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
VersionMinor = "4"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
DisplayVersion = "2.8.8.11"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\
Software\Browser Extensions
isn = "9FAD1DA8E1BF4D899899BBEBA96B12BB"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\
Software\Browser Extensions
cnid = "971163"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\
Software\Browser Extensions
flow = "install"

Dropping Routine

This Adware drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\nsj3.tmp
  • %User Temp%\nsy5.tmp\UserInfo.dll
  • %User Temp%\nsy5.tmp\System.dll
  • %User Temp%\nsy5.tmp\NSISPlugin.dll
  • %User Profile%\BrowserExtensions\BEHelper.exe
  • %User Profile%\BrowserExtensions\Uninstall.exe
  • %User Temp%\nsy5.tmp\NSISdl.dll
  • %User Temp%\nsy5.tmp\exthelper.exe
  • %User Temp%\nsy5.tmp\ping

(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.. %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.)

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.8

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

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\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy
    • {CAE9BEC8-4723-4347-AFC6-25EE3326BA5B}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy
    • {90E4CD0C-426F-4207-805B-7885AB32D43F}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\Software
    • Browser Extensions
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • {3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\Software\Browser Extensions
    • firefox

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
    • Browser Extensions = "%User Profile%\BrowserExtensions\BEHelper.exe "
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\{CAE9BEC8-4723-4347-AFC6-25EE3326BA5B}
    • AppName = "BEHelper.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\{CAE9BEC8-4723-4347-AFC6-25EE3326BA5B}
    • AppPath = "%User Profile%\Application Data\BrowserExtensions"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\{CAE9BEC8-4723-4347-AFC6-25EE3326BA5B}
    • Policy = "3"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\{90E4CD0C-426F-4207-805B-7885AB32D43F}
    • AppName = "BEHelper.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\{90E4CD0C-426F-4207-805B-7885AB32D43F}
    • AppPath = "%User Profile%\Application Data\BrowserExtensions"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\{90E4CD0C-426F-4207-805B-7885AB32D43F}
    • Policy = "3"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\Software\Browser Extensions
    • SS_Ver = "2.8.8.11"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
    • DisplayIcon = "%User Profile%\BrowserExtensions\BEHelper.exe,0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
    • DisplayName = "Browser Extensions"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
    • UninstallString = "%User Profile%\BrowserExtensions\uninstall.exe "
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
    • Publisher = "Spigot, Inc."
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
    • URLInfoAbout = "http://www.{BLOCKED}t.com"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
    • NoModify = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
    • NoRepair = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
    • InstallLocation = "%User Profile%\Application Data\BrowserExtensions"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
    • VersionMajor = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
    • VersionMinor = "4"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{3A787631-66A2-4634-B928-A37E73B58FB6}
    • DisplayVersion = "2.8.8.11"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\Software\Browser Extensions
    • isn = "9FAD1DA8E1BF4D899899BBEBA96B12BB"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\Software\Browser Extensions
    • cnid = "971163"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\Software\Browser Extensions
    • flow = "install"

Step 5

Search and delete these components

[ Learn More ]
There may be some components 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 Temp%\nsj3.tmp
  • %User Temp%\nsy5.tmp\UserInfo.dll
  • %User Temp%\nsy5.tmp\System.dll
  • %User Temp%\nsy5.tmp\NSISPlugin.dll
  • %User Profile%\BrowserExtensions\BEHelper.exe
  • %User Profile%\BrowserExtensions\Uninstall.exe
  • %User Temp%\nsy5.tmp\NSISdl.dll
  • %User Temp%\nsy5.tmp\exthelper.exe
  • %User Temp%\nsy5.tmp\ping

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.
  • %System Root%\DOCUME~1
  • %System Root%\DOCUME~1\Wilbert
  • %User Profile%\LOCALS~1
  • %User Temp%\nsy5.tmp
  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\Wilbert
  • %User Profile%\Application Data\BrowserExtensions

Step 7

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

Step 8

Restore this file from backup only Microsoft-related files will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted files related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on you computer again.

  • %User Temp%\nse1.tmp
  • %User Temp%\nsy5.tmp


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