PUA_QIWMONK.GA

March 24, 2017
 Analysis by: Byron Jon Gelera
 ALIASES:

BrowserModifier:Win32/Qiwmonk (Microsoft); PUA.Qjwmonkey (Ikarus); a variant of Win32/Adware.Qjwmonkey.C (ESET-NOD32)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Potentially Unwanted Application

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • 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.

It executes downloaded files whose malicious routines are exhibited by the affected system.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

878,552 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

27 Jan 2017

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 creates the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\gsxz~

(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.)

Other System Modifications

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\360Safe\
Liveup

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\360Safe\
Liveup
m2 = {values}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\360Safe\
Liveup
mid = {value}

Download Routine

This Potentially Unwanted Application saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • %Desktop%\Inst13__{random numbers}__{random characters}__{random characters}__{random characters}.exe
  • %User Temp%\360ini.cab
  • %User Temp%\360ini\360ini.dll
  • %User Temp%\{C52C19D6-A274-4a63-B089-A24653817020}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{43D8E017-1C97-46bb-8C90-B710A781BFE6}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{BC037A25-57AF-4b03-A126-BA5C687ECC36}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{209A54AE-AFAF-4330-AA89-4C35624E0F80}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{AFBA30E0-B823-40d0-BB45-548FAF331B75}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{750A701E-A782-47dd-9A25-00A5469FFCA2}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{34BD05CA-2830-47b6-8281-12AD4DD95C27}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{B255BE50-D3AF-4f40-A964-E09EC1FFC47C}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{54D8C29C-626C-4eca-AFAA-6B160225AA50}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{B068F8AD-B16D-4682-BB7C-BB56F47C4788}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{E940991B-2D20-4afa-A78B-0F7957B1A174}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{87D40B1C-0714-45d6-902C-E8C4ADCC5160}\pAlMhAyUlRaLjDcK.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{003D1629-3590-492f-BD58-168D3B3EF8C9}\sPcVmSsVwTrObDyT.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{38457048-8AD9-47ab-BB72-60AF1EBC561B}\nZaWwGqHdGjYgDnK.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{DBFD68BC-0E70-4c07-9EBB-CF7027EA4EA3}\bViJgAmUcWeIzNbF.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{49A87452-D382-449a-94B1-D567B57E8AFF}\xWoJjQpXlByShCmB.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{E85F720C-AACD-4380-9AA9-D5B797BC8DD7}\xGmDtJvCuOtVxMfG.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{E99D814F-5733-41bb-8A99-E80984AF37FB}\tXdBeAvCsKtRtWbJ.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{65CF48FE-1517-474b-BFFC-8CE005DB0967}\hHgHmNrFrNfYmTvF.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{B92DD482-BB52-488a-9EE3-B945D6F07A86}\rXuKoKjNpRlMeNjC.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{5AA07F79-6FBA-44fc-A0EA-128B933F115C}\oOrGoRuNiAzFzNqW.tmp
  • %User Temp%\jBmWjQwTfPuViZhY\{3CD2BAD9-2742-459f-A3EF-4B9284375C52}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\kBrOnYdFvGmOnOwI\{5507EC86-97B0-4987-B4BB-2DCD78BD0F0E}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\aSwTgXnRiCxExSrG\{105826A7-31A6-4afd-826E-71C4A15DB4B0}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\lUjQeEdRlReSoZpN\{8CC3089F-8B0B-4ace-AE4B-9F0AAB1DA4F8}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\oVhLcWjHsIeFzAvI\{588673E2-75B5-4a84-B87F-8F6CF60E7235}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\zDtMtYbBuAbOuBxT\{A69CAC6F-BE8A-4554-8649-2567ACBF3794}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\qQqTiIwIpHfKfJwI\{380C1725-DE04-4cf5-80AD-8011D87A107B}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\tQhXkLiOoPtOuUwL\{24AC1481-E3A0-44e2-B347-628726F624A2}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\aEtYhDmTfVhGxOuE\{F4647AC1-68D7-4529-92EF-A2D0DB14B56A}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\wWbNkCzZiGqQcRnX.tmp
  • %User Temp%\pJpOlFtZeZdWgAlI.tmp
  • %User Temp%\pTxOuCbSuMsHcJzH.tmp
  • %User Temp%\uXvAaYuMtTzPxZsN.tmp
  • %User Temp%\rFhMbHeZlXwYsWfT.tmp
  • %User Temp%\sOfAtWaYhXmEwVhB.tmp
  • %User Temp%\aBlMjBoPnVyWyVrC.tmp
  • %User Temp%\eUoTgZqOeRxWuRoC.tmp
  • %User Temp%\uDoSeSgMcHzLwLtG.tmp
  • %User Temp%\lDoSpHbEeDtJsJfX.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{1118E6AC-1E04-4895-AD53-22146BF1E734}
  • %User Temp%\{68EF1E89-EE4B-46bc-9E8E-1B76D4BA861D}
  • %User Temp%\360IniVerify.ini
  • %User Temp%\vsRemotetemtentPl2634.ini
  • %Desktop%\Internet Expleror.lnk
  • %User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Internet Explorer.lnk
  • %User Temp%\gsxz~\V9._92342_20170122175841.exe
  • %User Temp%\gsxz~\6QktvJ.exe
  • %User Temp%\gsxz~\inst_buychannel_11.exe
  • %User Temp%\gsxz~\SGame_ST_303.exe
  • %User Temp%\Inst13__{random numbers}__{random characters}__{random characters}__{random characters}.exe
  • %User Temp%\gsxz~\IQIYIsetup_qudao@kb096.exe

(Note: %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 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.)

It executes downloaded files :

  • %User Temp%\gsxz~\V9._92342_20170122175841.exe
  • %User Temp%\gsxz~\6QktvJ.exe
  • %User Temp%\gsxz~\inst_buychannel_11.exe
  • %User Temp%\gsxz~\SGame_ST_303.exe
  • %User Temp%\Inst13__{random numbers}__{random characters}__{random characters}__{random characters}.exe
  • %User Temp%\gsxz~\IQIYIsetup_qudao@kb096.exe

(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.)

whose malicious routines are exhibited by the affected system.

Other Details

This Potentially Unwanted Application connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://api.{BLOCKED}u.cc /api/getdown
  • http://cdn.{BLOCKED}u.cc/baizhu.zip
  • http://dl2.{BLOCKED}e.com/partner/Inst13__{random numbers}__{random characters}__{random characters}__{random characters}.exe
  • http://cdn.{BLOCKED}u.cc/youxi/index_{value}.htm
  • http://s4.{BLOCKED}z.com/z_stat.php?id={value}&web_id={value}
  • http://z11.{BLOCKED}z.com/stat.htm?id={value}&r=&lg={value}&ntime={value}&cnzz_eid={value}&showp={value}&t=&h=1&rnd={value}
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.226.194/youxi/ad_37.js
  • http://fpdownload.{BLOCKED}edia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab
  • http://p.{BLOCKED}0.com/b/1/720/20903/ifd9fhd.swf
  • http://s95.{BLOCKED}z.com/z_stat.php?id={value}&web_id={value}
  • http://c.{BLOCKED}z.com/core.php?web_id={value}&t=z
  • http://cnzz.{BLOCKED}t.com/9.gif?abc={value}&rnd={value}
  • http://dl.{BLOCKED}e.com/gf/360ini.cab
  • http://dl.{BLOCKED}e.com/gf/v3112087.cab
  • http://dl.{BLOCKED}e.com/gf/360IniVerify.cab
  • http://dl.{BLOCKED}e.com/gf/ExtVerify.cab
  • http://dl.{BLOCKED}e.com/gf/360DenyPidList.cab
  • http://dl.{BLOCKED}e.com/sev3/sewstg.cab
  • http://dl.{BLOCKED}e.com/ludashi/ludashi_buy.exe
  • http://s1.{BLOCKED}i.com/url2?pid=buychannel_11&type=instonline&action={value}&appver={value}&modver={value}&mid={value}
  • http://speedxbu.{BLOCKED}u.com/shurufa/ime/setup/bdimesetupstandalone_2017-01-04-12-49-55-5.0.3900.0.dll

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

SSAPI PATTERN File:

1.817.00

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

09 Mar 2017

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 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\360Safe
    • Liveup

Step 5

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%\gsxz~

Step 6

Search and delete these files

[ 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%\Inst13__{random numbers}__{random characters}__{random characters}__{random characters}.exe
  • %User Temp%\360ini.cab
  • %User Temp%\360ini\360ini.dll
  • %User Temp%\{C52C19D6-A274-4a63-B089-A24653817020}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{43D8E017-1C97-46bb-8C90-B710A781BFE6}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{BC037A25-57AF-4b03-A126-BA5C687ECC36}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{209A54AE-AFAF-4330-AA89-4C35624E0F80}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{AFBA30E0-B823-40d0-BB45-548FAF331B75}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{750A701E-A782-47dd-9A25-00A5469FFCA2}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{34BD05CA-2830-47b6-8281-12AD4DD95C27}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{B255BE50-D3AF-4f40-A964-E09EC1FFC47C}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{54D8C29C-626C-4eca-AFAA-6B160225AA50}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{B068F8AD-B16D-4682-BB7C-BB56F47C4788}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{E940991B-2D20-4afa-A78B-0F7957B1A174}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{87D40B1C-0714-45d6-902C-E8C4ADCC5160}\pAlMhAyUlRaLjDcK.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{003D1629-3590-492f-BD58-168D3B3EF8C9}\sPcVmSsVwTrObDyT.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{38457048-8AD9-47ab-BB72-60AF1EBC561B}\nZaWwGqHdGjYgDnK.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{DBFD68BC-0E70-4c07-9EBB-CF7027EA4EA3}\bViJgAmUcWeIzNbF.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{49A87452-D382-449a-94B1-D567B57E8AFF}\xWoJjQpXlByShCmB.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{E85F720C-AACD-4380-9AA9-D5B797BC8DD7}\xGmDtJvCuOtVxMfG.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{E99D814F-5733-41bb-8A99-E80984AF37FB}\tXdBeAvCsKtRtWbJ.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{65CF48FE-1517-474b-BFFC-8CE005DB0967}\hHgHmNrFrNfYmTvF.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{B92DD482-BB52-488a-9EE3-B945D6F07A86}\rXuKoKjNpRlMeNjC.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{5AA07F79-6FBA-44fc-A0EA-128B933F115C}\oOrGoRuNiAzFzNqW.tmp
  • %User Temp%\jBmWjQwTfPuViZhY\{3CD2BAD9-2742-459f-A3EF-4B9284375C52}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\kBrOnYdFvGmOnOwI\{5507EC86-97B0-4987-B4BB-2DCD78BD0F0E}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\aSwTgXnRiCxExSrG\{105826A7-31A6-4afd-826E-71C4A15DB4B0}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\lUjQeEdRlReSoZpN\{8CC3089F-8B0B-4ace-AE4B-9F0AAB1DA4F8}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\oVhLcWjHsIeFzAvI\{588673E2-75B5-4a84-B87F-8F6CF60E7235}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\zDtMtYbBuAbOuBxT\{A69CAC6F-BE8A-4554-8649-2567ACBF3794}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\qQqTiIwIpHfKfJwI\{380C1725-DE04-4cf5-80AD-8011D87A107B}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\tQhXkLiOoPtOuUwL\{24AC1481-E3A0-44e2-B347-628726F624A2}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\aEtYhDmTfVhGxOuE\{F4647AC1-68D7-4529-92EF-A2D0DB14B56A}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\wWbNkCzZiGqQcRnX.tmp
  • %User Temp%\pJpOlFtZeZdWgAlI.tmp
  • %User Temp%\pTxOuCbSuMsHcJzH.tmp
  • %User Temp%\uXvAaYuMtTzPxZsN.tmp
  • %User Temp%\rFhMbHeZlXwYsWfT.tmp
  • %User Temp%\sOfAtWaYhXmEwVhB.tmp
  • %User Temp%\aBlMjBoPnVyWyVrC.tmp
  • %User Temp%\eUoTgZqOeRxWuRoC.tmp
  • %User Temp%\uDoSeSgMcHzLwLtG.tmp
  • %User Temp%\lDoSpHbEeDtJsJfX.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{1118E6AC-1E04-4895-AD53-22146BF1E734}
  • %User Temp%\{68EF1E89-EE4B-46bc-9E8E-1B76D4BA861D}
  • %User Temp%\360IniVerify.ini
  • %User Temp%\vsRemotetemtentPl2634.ini
  • %Desktop%\Internet Expleror.lnk
  • %User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Internet Explorer.lnk

Step 7

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

Step 8

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