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PUA.Win32.Uniblue.AC

May 25, 2021
 Analysis by: Clive Fuentebella
 ALIASES:

a variant of Win32/UniBlue.F potentially unwanted application (NOD32)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Potentially Unwanted Application

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • 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.

As of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

1,185,040 bytes

Memory Resident:

No

Payload:

Drops files, 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.

Installation

This Potentially Unwanted Application drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\is-{Random characters}.tmp\{Malware file name}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\Setup Log {Date today} #001.txt
  • %User Temp%\is-{Random characters}.tmp\_isetup\_shfoldr.dll
  • %User Temp%\is-{Random characters}.tmp\InstallerExtensions.dll
  • %User Temp%\is-{Random characters}.tmp\windows8_with_innovation.bmp
  • %User Temp%\is-{Random characters}.tmp\printer.bmp
  • %User Temp%\is-{Random characters}.tmp\license.en.rtf
  • %User Temp%\is-{Random characters}.tmp\banner_399x120.bmp
  • %User Temp%\is-{Random characters}.tmp\banner_icon.bmp
  • %User Temp%\is-{Random characters}.tmp\microsoft_partner.bmp

(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(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It adds the following processes:

  • "%User Temp%\is-{Random characters}.tmp\{Malware file name}.tmp" /SL5="{Random characters},{Malware file path and name}"

(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(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

Other System Modifications

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Uniblue\
PC-Mechanic
InstallerBuiltWithOffers = 1

Download Routine

This Potentially Unwanted Application connects to the following URL(s) to download its component file(s):

  • http://{BLOCKED}ad.{BLOCKED}e.com/product/pm/{Version}/pcmechanicpm-standalone-setup.exe

As of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

Other Details

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Uniblue

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Uniblue\
PC-Mechanic

It does the following:

  • It connects to the following URL to send installation data:
    • http://{BLOCKED}ng.{BLOCKED}e.com

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

SSAPI PATTERN File:

2.409.00

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

20 May 2021

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 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

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\
    • Uniblue

Step 4

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.
  • %User Temp%\is-{Random characters}.tmp\{Malware file name}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\Setup Log {Date today} #001.txt
  • %User Temp%\is-{Random characters}.tmp\_isetup\_shfoldr.dll
  • %User Temp%\is-{Random characters}.tmp\InstallerExtensions.dll
  • %User Temp%\is-{Random characters}.tmp\windows8_with_innovation.bmp
  • %User Temp%\is-{Random characters}.tmp\printer.bmp
  • %User Temp%\is-{Random characters}.tmp\license.en.rtf
  • %User Temp%\is-{Random characters}.tmp\banner_399x120.bmp
  • %User Temp%\is-{Random characters}.tmp\banner_icon.bmp
  • %User Temp%\is-{Random characters}.tmp\microsoft_partner.bmp

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as PUA.Win32.Uniblue.AC. 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 the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:


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