Analysis by: Pearl Charlaine Espejo

ALIASES:

Application.InstallCare (Emsisoft); MSIL/AdvancedPcCare.C potentially unwanted (ESET-NOD32); PUP.Optional.AdvanceSystemCare (Malwarebytes)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Adware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 5,696,584 bytes
File Type: EXE
Initial Samples Received Date: 05 Jan 2017

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.

Installation

This adware drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp\_isetup\_iscrypt.dll
  • %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp\_isetup\_shfoldr.dll
  • %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp\isxdl.dll
  • %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp\setup_eng.bmp
  • %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp\{malware filename}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{random filename}.0.cs
  • %User Temp%\{random filename}.cmdline
  • %User Temp%\{random filename}.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random filename}.err
  • %User Temp%\{random filename}.out
  • %User Temp%\{random filename}.tmp
  • %Application Data%\FileOpenerWindows\System.Data.SQLite.DLL
  • %Application Data%\FileOpenerWindows\langswfo.db
  • %Application Data%\FileOpenerWindows\wfo.exe
  • %Application Data%\FileOpenerWindows\wfo.exe.config
  • %Application Data%\FileOpenerWindows\x64\SQLite.Interop.dll
  • %Application Data%\FileOpenerWindows\x86\SQLite.Interop.dll
  • %Application Data%\SCAppManager\appmanager.exe
  • %Application Data%\SCAppManager\appmanager.exe.config
  • %Application Data%\UniDU\UniDULauncher.exe
  • %Application Data%\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\Advance-System-Care\Errorlog.txt
  • %Application Data%\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\Advance-System-Care\exlist.bin
  • %Application Data%\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\Advance-System-Care\notifier.xml
  • %Application Data%\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\Advance-System-Care\smico\{random filename}.png
  • %Application Data%\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\Advance-System-Care\update.xml
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\ASCContent.dll
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\Dutch_iss.ini
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\French_iss.ini
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\HtmlRenderer.WinForms.dll
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\HtmlRenderer.dll
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\Interop.IWshRuntimeLibrary.dll
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\Microsoft.Win32.TaskScheduler.dll
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\NAudio.dll
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\System.Data.SQLite.DLL
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\TAFactory.IconPack.dll
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\TaskScheduler.dll
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\adsc.exe
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\adsc.exe.config
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\danish_iss.ini
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\english_iss.ini
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\finish_iss.ini
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\german_iss.ini
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\italian_iss.ini
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\japanese_iss.ini
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\langs.db
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\norwegian_iss.ini
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\portuguese_iss.ini
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\russian_iss.ini
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\spanish_iss.ini
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\swedish_iss.ini
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\unins000.dat
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\unins000.exe
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\unins000.msg
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\x64\SQLite.Interop.dll
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\x86\SQLite.Interop.dll
  • %ProgramData%\ASCValidator\ASCValidatorService.InstallLog
  • %ProgramData%\ASCValidator\ASCValidatorService.InstallState
  • %ProgramData%\ASCValidator\ASCValidatorService.exe
  • %ProgramData%\ASCValidator\ASCValidatorService.exe.config
  • %ProgramData%\ASCValidator\InstallUtil.InstallLog
  • %ProgramData%\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\Advance-System-Care\mdb.db
  • %ProgramData%\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\Advance-System-Care\pcspstartrepair_en.mp3
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Advance-System-Care\Advance-System-Care.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Advance-System-Care\Buy Advance-System-Care.lnk
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Advance-System-Care\Uninstall Advance-System-Care.lnk
  • %Desktop%\Advance-System-Care.lnk

It creates the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp\_isetup
  • %Application Data%\FileOpenerWindows
  • %Application Data%\UniDU
  • %Application Data%\SCAppManager
  • %Application Data%\{BLOCKED}epctools.net
  • %Application Data%\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\Advance-System-Care
  • %ProgramData%\{BLOCKED}epctools.net
  • %ProgramData%\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\Advance-System-Care
  • %ProgramData%\ASCValidator
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Advance-System-Care

Other System Modifications

This adware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{BLOCKED}epctools.net

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care\{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.0.17114

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\ASCValidatorService

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\ASCValidatorService\
ACSValidatorService

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\asc-pr

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\ASCValidator

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO = "(855)-332-0124"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
ISTELNO = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
issilent = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
affired = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
showwfo = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
wfoset = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
country = ""

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
pxl = "SNI1081_SNI1061_SNI585"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
prereg = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
showtn = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
ovoffdis = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
cta = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
delay = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
cbkpoff = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
showudurec = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
playsound = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
showunins = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
insudubund = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
utm_source = "snicwinasc_ros_jp_728"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
utm_campaign = "snicwinasc_ros_jp_728"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
utm_medium = "snicwinasc_ros_jp_728"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
affiliateid = ""

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
pxl = "sni1081_sni1061_sni585"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
utm_pubid = ""

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\asc-pr
utm_source = "snicwinasc_ros_jp_728"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\asc-pr
utm_campaign = "snicwinasc_ros_jp_728"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\asc-pr
utm_medium = "snicwinasc_ros_jp_728"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\asc-pr
affiliateid = ""

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\asc-pr
pxl = "sni1081_sni1061_sni585"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\asc-pr
utm_pubid = ""

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_us = "(855)-332-0124"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_uk = "0800-031-5066"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_gb = "0800-031-5066"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_au = "(61)280-733403"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_fr = "(334)-88627945"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_de = "(800)-180-0926"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_at = "(800)-180-0926"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_ch = "(800)-180-0926"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_lu = "(800)-180-0926"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_no = "0047-2195-4400"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_dk = "+45-7877-3648"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_nl = "+31-08-58882839"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_se = "+46-08124-10298"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_jp = "0120-993-506"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_ja = "0120-993-506"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
PurchaseURL = "http://advancedsystemcare.{BLOCKED}rt.store/price.asp?"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
RenewURL = "http://advancedsystemcare.{BLOCKED}rt.store/renewal.asp?"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
WebURL = "http://www.{BLOCKED}epctools.net/"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
EmailURL = "asc@{BLOCKED}t-geeks.com"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
supporturl = "http://www.{BLOCKED}epctools.net/help/"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
afterInstallUrl = "http://www.{BLOCKED}epctools.net/asc/afterinstall/?"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
reg = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
expired = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
Installstring = "%Program Files%\Advance-System-Care"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\ASCValidator
Type = "16"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\ASCValidator
Start = "2"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\ASCValidator
ErrorControl = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\ASCValidator
ImagePath = ""%ProgramData%\ASCValidator\ASCValidatorService.exe""

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\ASCValidator
DisplayName = "ASC Validator"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\ASCValidator
Description = "ASC Validator"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
Installstring = "%Program Files%\Advance-System-Care"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
utm_source = "snicwinasc_ros_jp_728"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
utm_campaign = "snicwinasc_ros_jp_728"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
utm_medium = "snicwinasc_ros_jp_728"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
affiliateid = ""

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
pxl = "sni1081_sni1061_sni585"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
utm_pubid = ""

Other Details

This adware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://cc.{BLOCKED}epctools.net/ProductPrice.svc/getcountrycode
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}pctools.net/asc/afterinstall/?utm_source=snicwinasc_ros_jp_728&utm_campaign=snicwinasc_ros_jp_728&utm_medium=snicwinasc_ros_jp_728&utm_pubid=&pxl=SNI1081_SNI1061_SNI585&LangID=en
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}epctools.net/
  • http://cdn.{BLOCKED}epctools.net/
  • http://cdn.{BLOCKED}i.net/js/host.js?h=www.advancepctools.net
  • http://cdn.{BLOCKED}i.net/

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
SSAPI PATTERN File: 1.805.00
SSAPI PATTERN Date: 26 Jan 2017

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

Identify and terminate files detected as ADW_ADVPCCARE.GA

[ Learn More ]
  1. Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
  2. If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

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.

 
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • advancepctools.net
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
    • ASCValidatorService
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
    • advancepctools.net
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
    • asc-pr
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
    • ASCValidator

Step 5

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%\is-{random}.tmp
  • %Application Data%\FileOpenerWindows
  • %Application Data%\UniDU
  • %Application Data%\SCAppManager
  • %Application Data%\advancepctools.net
  • %ProgramData%\advancepctools.net
  • %ProgramData%\ASCValidator
  • %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care
  • %Start Menu%\Programs\Advance-System-Care

Step 6

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.
  • %Desktop%\Advance-System-Care.lnk
  • %User Temp%\{random filename}.0.cs
  • %User Temp%\{random filename}.cmdline
  • %User Temp%\{random filename}.dll
  • %User Temp%\{random filename}.err
  • %User Temp%\{random filename}.out
  • %User Temp%\{random filename}.tmp

Step 7

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