PUA.Win32.InstallCore.MANHOBXO

August 03, 2021
 Analysis by: Arianne Grace Dela Cruz
 ALIASES:

Trojan-Downloader.Win32.Adload (IKARUS); Riskware/Adload (FORTINET)

 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

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:

1,992,000 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

26 Jul 2021

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs, Displays windows

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:

  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.cs-CZ.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.da-DK.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.de-DE.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.el-GR.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.es-ES.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.fi-FI.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.fr-CH.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.fr-FR.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.fy-NL.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.gl-ES.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.he-IL.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.hu-HU.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.it-IT.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.ja-JP.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.ko-KR.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.nl-NL.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.pl-PL.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.pt-BR.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.pt-PT.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.ro-RO.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.ru-RU.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.sk-SK.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.sl-SI.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.sr-Latn-RS.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.sv-SE.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.tr-TR.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.uk-UA.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.zh-CN.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.zh-TW.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\main.ini
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\node.dll
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\PDFEditor.exe
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\pdfeditormenu.dll
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\pdfeditormenu64.dll
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\pdfeTools.exe
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\pdftools.dll
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\PDFXEditCore.x86.dll
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\RelevanceIco.ico
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Resources.dat
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Uninst.exe
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\UserAndPayClient.dll
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\VMProtectSDK32.dll
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\log.ini
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\ErrorLog.log
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\cache.info
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\WindowsSize.ini
  • %User Temp%\PDFXEdit.SDK\{Random Characters}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\PDFXEdit.SDK\{Random Characters}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\PDFXEdit.SDK\pdfx-{{Random Characters}}\pdfx.lck
  • %User Temp%\PDFXEdit.SDK\pdfx-{{Random Characters}}\fds{Random Characters}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\PDFXEdit.SDK\pdfx-{{Random Characters}}\pdfx.lck
  • %User Temp%\PDFXEdit.SDK\pdfx-{{Random Characters}}\pst{Random Characters}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\PDFXEdit.SDK\pdfx-{{Random Characters}}\fds{Random Characters}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\PDFXEdit.SDK\pdfx-{{Random Characters}}\pst{Random Characters}.tmp
  • %Desktop%\风云PDF编辑器.lnk

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %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).. %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).)

It adds the following processes:

  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\pdfeTools.exe regdll=%Application Data%\fypdfeditor\pdfeditormenu.dll
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\PDFEditor.exe RegisterFileRelation
  • %System%\regsvr32.exe /s %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\pdfeditormenu.dll

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

Other System Modifications

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\
PDFEditor.exe
{Default} = %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\PDFEditor.exe

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
风云PDF编辑器
DisplayName = 风云PDF编辑器;

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
风云PDF编辑器
UninstallString = %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\uninst.exe

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
风云PDF编辑器
DisplayIcon = %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\PDFEditor.exe

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
风云PDF编辑器
DisplayVersion = 1.0.0.1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
风云PDF编辑器
Publisher = {Company Name}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.pdfsrc
Content Type = application/pdf

KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.pdfsrc
{Default} = AcroExch.Document

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.pdf
{Default} = PDFEditor.pdffile

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
PDFEditor.pdffile
{Default} = pdf 文件

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
PDFEditor.pdffile\DefaultIcon
{Default} = %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\RelevanceIco.ico

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
PDFEditor.pdffile\Shell\Open\
Command
{Default} = %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\PDFEditor.exe "%1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
FileExts\.pdf\OpenWithList
a = PDFEditor.exe

Download Routine

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

  • http://fufei.{BLOCKED}vi.cn/api/soft/download-info/pdfeditor/1/2021071415
  • http://fufei.{BLOCKED}vi.cn/api/plan/list?soft=pdfeditor&retall=1&uid=pdfeditor&showcompany=1
  • http://softdl.{BLOCKED}vi.cn/package/pdfedit/package.zip
  • http://log.{BLOCKED}vi.cn/api/data/sync

Other Details

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths
PDFEditor.exe =

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
风云PDF编辑器 =

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes
.pdfsrc =

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes
PDFEditor.pdffile =

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
pdfeditor =

It displays the following images:

  • Upon installation:

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

SSAPI PATTERN File:

2.429.00

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

29 Jul 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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\
    • PDFEditor.exe =
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
    • 风云PDF编辑器 =
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
    • .pdfsrc =
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
    • PDFEditor.pdffile =
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\
    • pdfeditor =

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\.pdf
    • {Default} = PDFEditor.pdffile
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\PDFEditor.pdffile\Shell\Open\Command
    • {Default} = %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\PDFEditor.exe "%1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.pdf\OpenWithList
    • a = PDFEditor.exe

Step 5

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.
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.cs-CZ.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.da-DK.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.de-DE.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.el-GR.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.es-ES.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.fi-FI.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.fr-CH.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.fr-FR.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.fy-NL.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.gl-ES.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.he-IL.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.hu-HU.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.it-IT.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.ja-JP.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.ko-KR.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.nl-NL.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.pl-PL.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.pt-BR.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.pt-PT.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.ro-RO.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.ru-RU.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.sk-SK.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.sl-SI.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.sr-Latn-RS.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.sv-SE.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.tr-TR.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.uk-UA.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.zh-CN.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Languages\Strings.zh-TW.xcl
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\main.ini
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\node.dll
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\PDFEditor.exe
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\pdfeditormenu.dll
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\pdfeditormenu64.dll
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\pdfeTools.exe
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\pdftools.dll
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\PDFXEditCore.x86.dll
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\RelevanceIco.ico
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Resources.dat
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\Uninst.exe
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\UserAndPayClient.dll
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\VMProtectSDK32.dll
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\log.ini
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\ErrorLog.log
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\cache.info
  • %Application Data%\fypdfeditor\WindowsSize.ini
  • %User Temp%\PDFXEdit.SDK\{Random Characters}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\PDFXEdit.SDK\{Random Characters}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\PDFXEdit.SDK\pdfx-{{Random Characters}}\pdfx.lck
  • %User Temp%\PDFXEdit.SDK\pdfx-{{Random Characters}}\fds{Random Characters}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\PDFXEdit.SDK\pdfx-{{Random Characters}}\pdfx.lck
  • %User Temp%\PDFXEdit.SDK\pdfx-{{Random Characters}}\pst{Random Characters}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\PDFXEdit.SDK\pdfx-{{Random Characters}}\fds{Random Characters}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\PDFXEdit.SDK\pdfx-{{Random Characters}}\pst{Random Characters}.tmp
  • %Desktop%\风云PDF编辑器.lnk

Step 6

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as PUA.Win32.InstallCore.MANHOBXO. 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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