ADW_Help24x7


 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:

904,000 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

24 Feb 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:

  • %User Temp%\is-80QDL.tmp
  • %User Temp%\is-H14PR.tmp
  • %User Temp%\is-H14PR.tmp\_isetup
  • %Program Files%\24x7 Help
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\24x7 Help

(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.. %Program Files% is the Program Files folder, where it usually is C:\Program Files on all Windows operating system versions; C:\Program Files (x86) for 32-bit applications running on Windows 64-bit operating systems.. %Start Menu% is the Start Menu folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu 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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
24x7Help = "%Program Files%\24x7 Help\24x7Help.exe "

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
24x7hu = "%Program Files%\24x7 Help\24x7hu.exe "

Other System Modifications

This adware deletes the following files:

  • %Start Menu%\Programs\24x7 Help\24x7 Help.pif
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\24x7 Help\24x7 Help.url
  • %Desktop%\24x7 Help.pif
  • %Desktop%\24x7 Help.url

(Note: %Start Menu% is the Start Menu folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu 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.. %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.)

It adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\PCCare\
24x7Help

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PCCare\
24x7Help
cid = "2f096dd4-f6ee-48d6-9af8-4128669e8341"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
Inno Setup: Setup Version = "5.5.5 (u)"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
Inno Setup: App Path = "%Program Files%\24x7 Help"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\24x7 Help"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
Inno Setup: Icon Group = "24x7 Help"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
Inno Setup: User = "Wilbert"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
Inno Setup: Language = "english"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
DisplayName = "24x7 Help version 1.4"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\24x7 Help\24x7Help.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\24x7 Help\unins000.exe "

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
QuietUninstallString = "%Program Files%\24x7 Help\unins000.exe /SILENT"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
DisplayVersion = "1.4"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
Publisher = "publisher"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
URLInfoAbout = "http://www.{BLOCKED}e.com"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
HelpLink = "http://www.{BLOCKED}e.com"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
URLUpdateInfo = "http://www.{BLOCKED}e.com"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
NoModify = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
NoRepair = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
InstallDate = "20160218"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
MajorVersion = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
MinorVersion = "4"

It deletes the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1

Dropping Routine

This adware drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\is-80qdl.tmp\{malware file name}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\is-H14PR.tmp\_isetup\_shfoldr.dll
  • %User Temp%\is-H14PR.tmp\st.txt
  • %User Temp%\is-H14PR.tmp\st.xml
  • %Program Files%\24x7 Help\unins000.dat
  • %Program Files%\24x7 Help\is-M702E.tmp
  • %Program Files%\24x7 Help\is-IIKQM.tmp
  • %Program Files%\24x7 Help\is-QA2M5.tmp
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\24x7 Help\24x7 Help.lnk
  • %Desktop%\24x7 Help.lnk

(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.. %Program Files% is the Program Files folder, where it usually is C:\Program Files on all Windows operating system versions; C:\Program Files (x86) for 32-bit applications running on Windows 64-bit operating systems.. %Start Menu% is the Start Menu folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu 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.. %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.)

Other Details

This adware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • {BLOCKED}.224.4

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\PCCare
    • 24x7Help
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • {B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1

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\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • 24x7Help = "%Program Files%\24x7 Help\24x7Help.exe "
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • 24x7hu = "%Program Files%\24x7 Help\24x7hu.exe "
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PCCare\24x7Help
    • cid = "2f096dd4-f6ee-48d6-9af8-4128669e8341"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
    • Inno Setup: Setup Version = "5.5.5 (u)"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
    • Inno Setup: App Path = "%Program Files%\24x7 Help"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
    • InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\24x7 Help"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
    • Inno Setup: Icon Group = "24x7 Help"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
    • Inno Setup: User = "Wilbert"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
    • Inno Setup: Language = "english"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
    • DisplayName = "24x7 Help version 1.4"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
    • DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\24x7 Help\24x7Help.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
    • UninstallString = "%Program Files%\24x7 Help\unins000.exe "
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
    • QuietUninstallString = "%Program Files%\24x7 Help\unins000.exe /SILENT"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
    • DisplayVersion = "1.4"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
    • Publisher = "publisher"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
    • URLInfoAbout = "http://www.{BLOCKED}e.com"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
    • HelpLink = "http://www.{BLOCKED}e.com"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
    • URLUpdateInfo = "http://www.{BLOCKED}e.com"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
    • NoModify = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
    • NoRepair = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
    • InstallDate = "20160218"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
    • MajorVersion = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1
    • MinorVersion = "4"

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%\is-80qdl.tmp\{malware file name}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\is-H14PR.tmp\_isetup\_shfoldr.dll
  • %User Temp%\is-H14PR.tmp\st.txt
  • %User Temp%\is-H14PR.tmp\st.xml
  • %Program Files%\24x7 Help\unins000.dat
  • %Program Files%\24x7 Help\is-M702E.tmp
  • %Program Files%\24x7 Help\is-IIKQM.tmp
  • %Program Files%\24x7 Help\is-QA2M5.tmp
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\24x7 Help\24x7 Help.lnk
  • %Desktop%\24x7 Help.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%\is-80QDL.tmp
  • %User Temp%\is-H14PR.tmp
  • %User Temp%\is-H14PR.tmp\_isetup
  • %Program Files%\24x7 Help
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\24x7 Help

Step 7

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as ADW_Help24x7. 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.

  • %Start Menu%\Programs\24x7 Help\24x7 Help.pif
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\24x7 Help\24x7 Help.url
  • %Desktop%\24x7 Help.pif
  • %Desktop%\24x7 Help.url

Step 9

Restore these deleted registry keys/values from backup

*Note: Only Microsoft-related keys/values will be restored. If the malware/grayware also deleted registry keys/values related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on your computer.

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • {B897520C-BD34-42FA-9644-3F03DE6B7783}_is1


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