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Adware.Win32.SaveNow.VLC

May 12, 2020
 Analysis by: Clive Fuentebella
 ALIASES:

AdWare.Win32.SaveNow.bg (KASPERSKY)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Adware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Dropped by other malware, Downloaded from the Internet


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.

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

162,816 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

12 May 2020

Payload:

Deletes files, Connects to URLs/IPs

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.

Other System Modifications

This Adware deletes the following files:

  • %User Temp%\SaveNow.cab
  • %User Temp%\SaveNow.inf

(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 registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WhenU\
SaveNow
Partner = silent%20download

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WhenU\
SaveNow
SetupCount = {Increasing number}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WhenU\
SaveNow
HeartbeatTime = {Random number}

Other Details

This Adware does the following:

  • It gets information from the following URL via HTTP GET:
    • http://app.{BLOCKED}u.com/Offers?url=silent%20download&id={Random numbers}/{Random numbers}&lasturl=silent%20download&src=silent&diag=1;{Random numbers}
    • http://web.{BLOCKED}u.com/heartbeat?program=savenow&partner=silent%20download&id={Random numbers}/{Random numbers}&ver=1.4&diag=1

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

SSAPI PATTERN File:

2.287.00

SSAPI PATTERN Date:

14 May 2020

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\WhenU\SaveNow
    • Partner = silent%20download
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WhenU\SaveNow
    • SetupCount = {Increasing number}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WhenU\SaveNow
    • HeartbeatTime = {Random number}

Step 4

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Adware.Win32.SaveNow.VLC. 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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