Analysis by: Donald Adrian Castillo

ALIASES:

PUP.Optional.Mindspark.A (Malwarebytes)

 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 may be manually installed by a user.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 443,228 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 26 Jun 2015

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.

It may be manually installed by a user.

Installation

This potentially unwanted application drops the following files:

  • %Program Files%\InternetSpeedTracker_9tEI\Installr\1.bin\NP9tEISb.dl_
  • %Program Files%\InternetSpeedTracker_9tEI\Installr\1.bin\NP9tEISb.dll
  • %Program Files%\InternetSpeedTracker_9tEI\Installr\1.bin\9tEIPlug.dl_
  • %Program Files%\InternetSpeedTracker_9tEI\Installr\1.bin\9tEIPlug.dll
  • %Program Files%\InternetSpeedTracker_9tEI\Installr\1.bin\9tEZSETP.dl_
  • %Program Files%\InternetSpeedTracker_9tEI\Installr\1.bin\9tEZSETP.dll

(Note: %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.)

Other System Modifications

This potentially unwanted application adds the following registry keys as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\InternetSpeedTracker_9tEI

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\InternetSpeedTracker_9tEI\
Installer

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\
PreApproved\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MozillaPlugins\
@ei.InternetSpeedTracker_9t.com/Plugin

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MozillaPlugins\
@ei.InternetSpeedTracker_9t.com/Plugin\MimeTypes

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MozillaPlugins\
@ei.InternetSpeedTracker_9t.com/Plugin\MimeTypes\application/x-internetspeedtracker_9tpluginei

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
InternetSpeedTracker_9tInstaller.Start.1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
InternetSpeedTracker_9tInstaller.Start.1\CLSID

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
InternetSpeedTracker_9tInstaller.Start

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
InternetSpeedTracker_9tInstaller.Start\CLSID

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
InternetSpeedTracker_9tInstaller.Start\CurVer

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{382DF324-5A10-448E-AB55-A6CD45330DBA}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{382DF324-5A10-448E-AB55-A6CD45330DBA}\1.0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{382DF324-5A10-448E-AB55-A6CD45330DBA}\1.0\
FLAGS

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{382DF324-5A10-448E-AB55-A6CD45330DBA}\1.0\
0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{382DF324-5A10-448E-AB55-A6CD45330DBA}\1.0\
0\win32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{382DF324-5A10-448E-AB55-A6CD45330DBA}\1.0\
HELPDIR

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{8F1E1778-992E-49B4-8B45-0C6F2A670A21}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{8F1E1778-992E-49B4-8B45-0C6F2A670A21}\ProxyStubClsid

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{8F1E1778-992E-49B4-8B45-0C6F2A670A21}\ProxyStubClsid32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{8F1E1778-992E-49B4-8B45-0C6F2A670A21}\TypeLib

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{1960FE27-1545-48AA-B393-DE39A5310CEB}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{1960FE27-1545-48AA-B393-DE39A5310CEB}\ProxyStubClsid

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{1960FE27-1545-48AA-B393-DE39A5310CEB}\ProxyStubClsid32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{1960FE27-1545-48AA-B393-DE39A5310CEB}\TypeLib

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}\ProgID

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}\VersionIndependentProgID

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}\Programmable

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}\InprocServer32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}\Control

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}\MiscStatus

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}\MiscStatus\
1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}\TypeLib

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}\Version

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}\Implemented Categories

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}\Implemented Categories\
{59fb2056-d625-48d0-a944-1a85b5ab2640}

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.750
SSAPI PATTERN File: 1.639.00
SSAPI PATTERN Date: 08 Jul 2015

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. Before you could do this, you must restart in Safe Mode. For instructions on how to do this, you may refer to this page If the preceding step requires you to restart in safe mode, you may proceed to edit the system registry.

  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\InternetSpeedTracker_9tEI
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\InternetSpeedTracker_9tEI\Installer
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\PreApproved\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MozillaPlugins\@ei.InternetSpeedTracker_9t.com/Plugin
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MozillaPlugins\@ei.InternetSpeedTracker_9t.com/Plugin\MimeTypes
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MozillaPlugins\@ei.InternetSpeedTracker_9t.com/Plugin\MimeTypes\application/x-internetspeedtracker_9tpluginei
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\InternetSpeedTracker_9tInstaller.Start.1
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\InternetSpeedTracker_9tInstaller.Start.1\CLSID
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\InternetSpeedTracker_9tInstaller.Start
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\InternetSpeedTracker_9tInstaller.Start\CLSID
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\InternetSpeedTracker_9tInstaller.Start\CurVer
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{382DF324-5A10-448E-AB55-A6CD45330DBA}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{382DF324-5A10-448E-AB55-A6CD45330DBA}\1.0
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{382DF324-5A10-448E-AB55-A6CD45330DBA}\1.0\FLAGS
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{382DF324-5A10-448E-AB55-A6CD45330DBA}\1.0\0
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{382DF324-5A10-448E-AB55-A6CD45330DBA}\1.0\0\win32
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{382DF324-5A10-448E-AB55-A6CD45330DBA}\1.0\HELPDIR
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{8F1E1778-992E-49B4-8B45-0C6F2A670A21}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{8F1E1778-992E-49B4-8B45-0C6F2A670A21}\ProxyStubClsid
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{8F1E1778-992E-49B4-8B45-0C6F2A670A21}\ProxyStubClsid32
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{8F1E1778-992E-49B4-8B45-0C6F2A670A21}\TypeLib
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{1960FE27-1545-48AA-B393-DE39A5310CEB}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{1960FE27-1545-48AA-B393-DE39A5310CEB}\ProxyStubClsid
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{1960FE27-1545-48AA-B393-DE39A5310CEB}\ProxyStubClsid32
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{1960FE27-1545-48AA-B393-DE39A5310CEB}\TypeLib
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}\ProgID
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}\VersionIndependentProgID
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}\Programmable
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}\InprocServer32
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}\Control
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}\MiscStatus
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}\MiscStatus\1
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}\TypeLib
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}\Version
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}\Implemented CategoriesHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{1fc73f6a-4e81-4cc5-9661-3f0ddfc6aa36}\Implemented Categories\{59fb2056-d625-48d0-a944-1a85b5ab2640}

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.
  • %Program Files%\InternetSpeedTracker_9tEI\Installr\1.bin\NP9tEISb.dl_
  • %Program Files%\InternetSpeedTracker_9tEI\Installr\1.bin\NP9tEISb.dll
  • %Program Files%\InternetSpeedTracker_9tEI\Installr\1.bin\9tEIPlug.dl_
  • %Program Files%\InternetSpeedTracker_9tEI\Installr\1.bin\9tEIPlug.dll
  • %Program Files%\InternetSpeedTracker_9tEI\Installr\1.bin\9tEZSETP.dl_
  • %Program Files%\InternetSpeedTracker_9tEI\Installr\1.bin\9tEZSETP.dll

Step 6

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


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.