PUA.Win32.ProcHack.A

 Analysis by: Jay Garcia
 Modified by: Mc Justine De Guzman

 ALIASES:

Riskware/ProcHack (Fortinet) ; HEUR:RiskTool.Win32.ProcHack.gen (Kaspersky)

 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

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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

2,267,848 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

20 Jul 2020

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%\{Random Characters}\{Malware name}.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\unins000.dat
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\unins000.exe
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\CHANGELOG.txt
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\COPYRIGHT.txt
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\LICENSE.txt
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\README.txt
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\ProcessHacker.exe
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\ProcessHacker.sig
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\kprocesshacker.sys
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\peview.exe
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\DotNetTools.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\ExtendedNotifications.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\ExtendedServices.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\ExtendedTools.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\HardwareDevices.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\NetworkTools.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\OnlineChecks.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\SbieSupport.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\ToolStatus.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\Updater.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\UserNotes.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\WindowExplorer.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\uninstall.ico
  • %Desktop%\Process Hacker 2.lnk
  • %Common Programs%\Process Hacker 2\PE Viewer.lnk
  • %Common Programs%\Process Hacker 2\Process Hacker 2.lnk
  • %Common Programs%\Process Hacker 2\Help and Support\Changelog.lnk
  • %Common Programs%\Process Hacker 2\Help and Support\Process Hacker 2 on the Web.url
  • %Common Programs%\Process Hacker 2\Uninstall Process Hacker 2.lnk

(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).. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %Desktop% is the current user's desktop, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Desktop on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %Common Programs% is the folder that contains common program groups for all users, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

It adds the following processes:

  • %User Temp%\{Random Characters}\{Malware name}.tmp /SL5="$20370,1874675,150016,{Malware name}.exe

(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 creates the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\{Random characters}
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins
  • %Common Programs%\Process Hacker 2

(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).. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %Common Programs% is the folder that contains common program groups for all users, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

Other System Modifications

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
Inno Setup: Setup Version = 5.5.8 (a)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
Inno Setup: App Path = %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
InstallLocation = %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
Icon Group = Process Hacker 2

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
User = {Username}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
Setup Type = full

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
Deselected Components =

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
Selected Tasks = desktopicon,desktopicon\user

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
Deselected Tasks = desktopicon\common,startup,startup\minimized,set_default_taskmgr,create_kph_service

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
Language = en

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
DisplayName = Process Hacker 2.39 (r124)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
DisplayIcon = %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\ProcessHacker.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\unins000.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
QuietUninstallString = "%Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\unins000.exe" /SILENT

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
DisplayVersion = 2.39.0.124

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
Publisher = wj32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
URLInfoAbout = http://processhacker.sourceforge.net/

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
HelpLink = http://sourceforge.net/projects/processhacker/support

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
URLUpdateInfo = http://processhacker.sourceforge.net/

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
Contact = http://sourceforge.net/projects/processhacker/support

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
NoModify = 1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
NoRepair = 1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
InstallDate = {Current Date}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
MajorVersion = 2

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
MinorVersion = 39

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1
EstimatedSize = 4129

Other Details

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Process_Hacker2_is1

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

SSAPI PATTERN File:

2.150.12

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

21 Feb 2019

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 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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • Inno Setup: Setup Version = 5.5.8 (a)
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • Inno Setup: App Path = %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • InstallLocation = %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • Icon Group = Process Hacker 2
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • User = {Username}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • Setup Type = full
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • Deselected Components = ""
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • Selected Tasks = desktopicon,desktopicon\user
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • Deselected Tasks = desktopicon\common,startup,startup\minimized,set_default_taskmgr,create_kph_service
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • Language = en
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • DisplayName = Process Hacker 2.39 (r124)
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • DisplayIcon = %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\ProcessHacker.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • UninstallString = "%Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\unins000.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • QuietUninstallString = "%Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\unins000.exe" /SILENT
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • DisplayVersion = 2.39.0.124
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • Publisher = wj32
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • URLInfoAbout = http://processhacker.sourceforge.net/
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • HelpLink = http://sourceforge.net/projects/processhacker/support
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • URLUpdateInfo = http://processhacker.sourceforge.net/
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • Contact = http://sourceforge.net/projects/processhacker/support
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • NoModify = 1
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • NoRepair = 1
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • InstallDate = {Current Date}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • MajorVersion = 2
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • MinorVersion = 39
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • EstimatedSize = 4129

Step 4

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\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Process_Hacker2_is1
    • "" = ""

Step 5

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%\{Random Characters}\{Malware name}.tmp
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\unins000.dat
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\unins000.exe
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\CHANGELOG.txt
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\COPYRIGHT.txt
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\LICENSE.txt
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\README.txt
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\ProcessHacker.exe
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\ProcessHacker.sig
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\kprocesshacker.sys
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\peview.exe
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\DotNetTools.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\ExtendedNotifications.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\ExtendedServices.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\ExtendedTools.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\HardwareDevices.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\NetworkTools.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\OnlineChecks.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\SbieSupport.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\ToolStatus.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\Updater.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\UserNotes.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins\WindowExplorer.dll
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\uninstall.ico
  • %Desktop%\Process Hacker 2.lnk
  • %Common Programs%\Process Hacker 2\PE Viewer.lnk
  • %Common Programs%\Process Hacker 2\Process Hacker 2.lnk
  • %Common Programs%\Process Hacker 2\Help and Support\Changelog.lnk
  • %Common Programs%\Process Hacker 2\Help and Support\Process Hacker 2 on the Web.url
  • %Common Programs%\Process Hacker 2\Uninstall Process Hacker 2.lnk

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%\{Random characters}
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2
  • %Program Files%\Process Hacker 2\plugins
  • %Common Programs%\Process Hacker 2

Step 7

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as PUA.Win32.ProcHack.A. 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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