Analysis by: Michael Jay Villanueva
ALIASES:

PUP.Optional.Spigot (Malwarebytes); PUP.Adware.Spigot (Arcabit)

 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 may arrive bundled with malware packages as a malware component. It 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: 1,223,936 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 01 Nov 2016

Arrival Details

This potentially unwanted application may arrive bundled with malware packages as a malware component.

It arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

Download Routine

This potentially unwanted application saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • pdfforgeToolbar.msi -> component file

Other Details

This potentially unwanted application connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}ad.{BLOCKED}serbar.com/vkits/dlv1/971163/pdfforgeToolbar.msi

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

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.750

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

Remove malware/grayware files dropped/downloaded by PUA_SPIGOT.GA. (Note: Please skip this step if the threats listed below have already been removed.)

    Step 4

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