Arrival Details
This spyware 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 spyware creates the following folders:
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1\Wilbert
- %User Profile%\LOCALS~1
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp
- %Program Files%\HTV
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Ardamax Keylogger
(Note: %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.. %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 spyware adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HTV Agent = "%Program Files%\HTV\HTV.exe"
Other System Modifications
This spyware deletes the following files:
- %User Temp%\nsw1.tmp
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp
(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.)
It adds the following registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Ardamax Keylogger
It adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Ardamax Keylogger
DisplayName = "Ardamax Keylogger 2.8"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Ardamax Keylogger
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\HTV\Uninstall.exe"
Dropping Routine
This spyware drops the following files:
- %User Temp%\nsw3.tmp
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp\modern-wizard.bmp
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp\modern-header.bmp
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.exe
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.006
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.007
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.003
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.004
- %Program Files%\HTV\AKV.exe
- %Program Files%\HTV\qs.html
- %Program Files%\HTV\tray.gif
- %Program Files%\HTV\menu.gif
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.chm
- %Program Files%\HTV\Uninstall.exe
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp\InstallOptions.dll
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.001
(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.)
This report is generated via an automated analysis system.
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
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To restart in Safe Mode:
• For Windows 2000 users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 when you see the Starting Windows bar at the bottom of the screen.
- Choose the Safe Mode option from the Windows Advanced Options menu then press Enter.
• For Windows XP users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 after the Power-On Self Test (POST) routine is done. If the Windows Advanced Options menu does not appear, try restarting then pressing F8 several times when the POST screen appears.
- Choose the Safe Mode option from the Windows Advanced Options menu then press Enter.
• For Windows Server 2003 users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 after Windows starts up. If the Windows Advanced Options menu does not appear, try restarting again and pressing F8 several times afterward.
- On the Windows Advanced Option menu, use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode then press Enter.
• For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 after the Power-On Self Test (POST) routine is done. If the Advanced Boot Options menu does not appear, try restarting and then pressing F8 several times after the POST screen is displayed.
- On the Advanced Boot Options menu, use the arrow keys to select the Safe Mode option, and then press Enter.
• For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users
- Access the Charms bar by moving your mouse pointer to the upper right corner of the screen.
- Move your mouse pointer down and click Settings>Change your PC Settings.
- In the left panel, click General.
- In the right panel, scroll down to the bottom to find the Advanced startup section, then click the Restart now button and wait for the system to restart.
- In the Advanced Startup menu, click Troubleshoot>Advanced Options>Startup Settings>Restart and wait for the system to restart.
- In the Startup Settings menu, press 4 to enable safe mode.
Step 3
Delete this registry key
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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
To delete the registry key this malware/grayware created:
- Open Registry Editor.
» For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 users, click Start>Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter.
» For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users, click the Start button, type regedit in the Search input field then press Enter.
» For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter. - In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>Software>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Uninstall - Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
Ardamax Keylogger - Close Registry Editor.
Step 4
Delete this registry value
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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
- HTV Agent = "%Program Files%\HTV\HTV.exe"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Ardamax Keylogger
- DisplayName = "Ardamax Keylogger 2.8"
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Ardamax Keylogger
- UninstallString = "%Program Files%\HTV\Uninstall.exe"
To delete the registry value this malware/grayware created:
- Open Registry Editor.
» For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 users, click Start>Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter.
» For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users, click the Start button, type regedit in the Search input field then press Enter.
» For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower-left corner of the screen, click Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter. - In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Run - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
HTV Agent = "%Program Files%\HTV\HTV.exe" - In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Uninstall>Ardamax Keylogger - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
DisplayName = "Ardamax Keylogger 2.8" - Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
UninstallString = "%Program Files%\HTV\Uninstall.exe" - Close Registry Editor.
Step 5
Search and delete these components
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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%\nsw3.tmp
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp\modern-wizard.bmp
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp\modern-header.bmp
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.exe
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.006
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.007
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.003
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.004
- %Program Files%\HTV\AKV.exe
- %Program Files%\HTV\qs.html
- %Program Files%\HTV\tray.gif
- %Program Files%\HTV\menu.gif
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.chm
- %Program Files%\HTV\Uninstall.exe
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp\InstallOptions.dll
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.001
To manually delete a malware/grayware file from an affected system:
• For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:
- Right-click Start then click Search....
- In the File name* input box, type the following:
- %User Temp%\nsw3.tmp
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp\modern-wizard.bmp
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp\modern-header.bmp
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.exe
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.006
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.007
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.003
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.004
- %Program Files%\HTV\AKV.exe
- %Program Files%\HTV\qs.html
- %Program Files%\HTV\tray.gif
- %Program Files%\HTV\menu.gif
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.chm
- %Program Files%\HTV\Uninstall.exe
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp\InstallOptions.dll
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.001
- In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer then press Enter.
- Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
*Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).
• For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:
- Open a Windows Explorer window.
- For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
- For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen,then click File Explorer.
- In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
- %User Temp%\nsw3.tmp
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp\modern-wizard.bmp
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp\modern-header.bmp
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.exe
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.006
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.007
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.003
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.004
- %Program Files%\HTV\AKV.exe
- %Program Files%\HTV\qs.html
- %Program Files%\HTV\tray.gif
- %Program Files%\HTV\menu.gif
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.chm
- %Program Files%\HTV\Uninstall.exe
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp\InstallOptions.dll
- %Program Files%\HTV\HTV.001
- Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
*Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.
Step 6
Search and delete these folders
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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.
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1\Wilbert
- %User Profile%\LOCALS~1
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp
- %Program Files%\HTV
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Ardamax Keylogger
To delete malware/grayware/spyware folders:
For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:
- Right-click Start then click Search... or Find..., depending on the version of Windows you are running.
- In the File name* input box, type:
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1\Wilbert
- %User Profile%\LOCALS~1
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp
- %Program Files%\HTV
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Ardamax Keylogger
- In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer, then press Enter.
- Once located, select the folder then press SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the folder.
- Repeat steps 2 to 4 for the remaining folders:
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1\Wilbert
- %User Profile%\LOCALS~1
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp
- %Program Files%\HTV
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Ardamax Keylogger
*Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).
For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:
- Open a Windows Explorer window.
- For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
- For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, then click File Explorer.
- In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1\Wilbert
- %User Profile%\LOCALS~1
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp
- %Program Files%\HTV
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Ardamax Keylogger
- Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the folder.
- Repeat steps 2-3 for the remaining folders:
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1
- %System Root%\DOCUME~1\Wilbert
- %User Profile%\LOCALS~1
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp
- %Program Files%\HTV
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Ardamax Keylogger
*Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.
Step 7
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TSPY_ARDAMAX.R. 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.
- %User Temp%\nsw1.tmp
- %User Temp%\nsr5.tmp
