ALIASES:

Adware:Win32/180SolutionsSearchAssistant, TrojanSpy:Win32/Vwealer.BQ (Microsoft); [5.nsis]:Adware-180SA., [6.nsis]:Generic PWS.y (McAfee); Adware.180Search, Adware.ZangoSearch, Infostealer.Bancos.gen (Symantec); ARC:NSIS, PAK:[CEDP.Stealer.exe]:PE_Patch.PECompact, PAK:[CEDP.Stealer.exe]:PecBundle, PAK:[CEDP.Ste (Kaspersky); Trojan.Win32.Generic!BT (Sunbelt); Trojan.Generic.1387643 (FSecure)

 PLATFORM:

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Trojan 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: 274,062 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 23 Aug 2012

Arrival Details

This Trojan 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 Trojan creates the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\nsm3.tmp
  • %Program Files%\180SearchAssistant
  • %Program Files%\CEDP Stealer 3.5
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\CEDP Stealer

(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, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (64-bit).. %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu on Windows Vista and 7.)

Autostart Technique

This Trojan adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
saap = "%Program Files%\180searchassistant\saap.exe"

Other System Modifications

This Trojan deletes the following files:

  • %User Temp%\nsh1.tmp
  • %User Temp%\nsm3.tmp

(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, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.)

It adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
CEDP Stealer

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\saap

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
saap

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\saap

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\
CE.DP.Stealer\Settings

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\
CE.DP.Stealer\Times

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
CEDP Stealer
DisplayName = "CEDP Stealer"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
CEDP Stealer
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\CEDP Stealer 3.5\Uninstall.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\saap
did = "598"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
saap
DisplayName = "Uninstall 180search Assistant"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
saap
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\180searchassistant\saap.exe /uninst_simple_init=y"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
saap
DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\180searchassistant\saap.exe,0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\saap
last_conn_h = "1cca37c"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\saap
last_conn_l = "217ec7a"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\saap
we = "4"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\saap
we = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\
CE.DP.Stealer\Settings
RK = "4495"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\
CE.DP.Stealer\Times
A = "yes"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\
CE.DP.Stealer\Times
B = "0"

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
NoNetAutodial = "0"

Dropping Routine

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\nsh2.tmp
  • %User Temp%\nsm3.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
  • %User Temp%\nsm3.tmp\modern-wizard.bmp
  • %User Temp%\nsm3.tmp\InstallOptions.dll
  • %Program Files%\180SearchAssistant\saap.exe
  • %Program Files%\CEDP Stealer 3.5\CEDP.Stealer.exe
  • %Program Files%\CEDP Stealer 3.5\README.TXT
  • %Program Files%\CEDP Stealer 3.5\zip32.dll
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\CEDP Stealer\CEDP Stealer.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\CEDP Stealer\Uninstall CEDP Stealer.lnk
  • %Program Files%\CEDP Stealer 3.5\Uninstall.exe

(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, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista and 7.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), and 7 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), and 7 (64-bit).. %Start Menu% is the current user's Start Menu folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Start Menu or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu on Windows Vista and 7.)

Other Details

This Trojan connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://bis.{BLOCKED}utions.com/TrackedEvent.aspx?{random characters}

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.200

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\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • CEDP Stealer
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software
    • saap
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • saap
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • saap
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\CE.DP.Stealer
    • Settings
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\CE.DP.Stealer
    • Times

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
    • saap = "%Program Files%\180searchassistant\saap.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\CEDP Stealer
    • DisplayName = "CEDP Stealer"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\CEDP Stealer
    • UninstallString = "%Program Files%\CEDP Stealer 3.5\Uninstall.exe"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\saap
    • did = "598"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\saap
    • DisplayName = "Uninstall 180search Assistant"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\saap
    • UninstallString = "%Program Files%\180searchassistant\saap.exe /uninst_simple_init=y"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\saap
    • DisplayIcon = "%Program Files%\180searchassistant\saap.exe,0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\saap
    • last_conn_h = "1cca37c"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\saap
    • last_conn_l = "217ec7a"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\saap
    • we = "4"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\saap
    • we = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\CE.DP.Stealer\Settings
    • RK = "4495"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\CE.DP.Stealer\Times
    • A = "yes"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\CE.DP.Stealer\Times
    • B = "0"

Step 5

Restore these modified registry values

[ Learn More ]

Important:Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this only if you know how to or you can seek your system administrator's help. You may also check out this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • NoNetAutodial = "0"

Step 6

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%\nsh2.tmp
  • %User Temp%\nsm3.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
  • %User Temp%\nsm3.tmp\modern-wizard.bmp
  • %User Temp%\nsm3.tmp\InstallOptions.dll
  • %Program Files%\180SearchAssistant\saap.exe
  • %Program Files%\CEDP Stealer 3.5\CEDP.Stealer.exe
  • %Program Files%\CEDP Stealer 3.5\README.TXT
  • %Program Files%\CEDP Stealer 3.5\zip32.dll
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\CEDP Stealer\CEDP Stealer.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\CEDP Stealer\Uninstall CEDP Stealer.lnk
  • %Program Files%\CEDP Stealer 3.5\Uninstall.exe

Step 7

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%\nsm3.tmp
  • %Program Files%\180SearchAssistant
  • %Program Files%\CEDP Stealer 3.5
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\CEDP Stealer

Step 8

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TROJ_AGENT.RS. 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 9

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.

  • %User Temp%\nsh1.tmp
  • %User Temp%\nsm3.tmp


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.