ADW_INSTACOR.GA

July 01, 2015

Analysis by: David John Agni

ALIASES:

Trojan.Win32.Generic!BT (Sunbelt); Trojan horse Generic25.AETH (AVG)

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: 535,040 bytes

File Type: EXE

Memory Resident: No

Initial Samples Received Date: 01 Jul 2015

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 creates the following folders:

%User Temp%\ish228234
%User Temp%\ish228234\css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\images
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer\US
%User Temp%\ish228234\images
%User Temp%\ish228234\locale
%User Temp%\ish228234\sdk
%User Temp%\ICReinstall
%User Temp%\is1438683437

Other System Modifications

This adware adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\
FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\
List
{malware path and file name} = "{random characters}"

Dropping Routine

This adware drops the following files:

%User Temp%\00037B8A.log
%User Temp%\ish228234\blank.gif
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\buttons.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\ie6_main.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\main.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\browse.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\button.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\checkbox.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\images\button-bg.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\images\progress-bg.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\progress-bar.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer\offer_code.dat
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer\offer_html.dat
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer\US\offer_code.dat
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer\US\offer_html.dat
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\back-button.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\Bg.jpg
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\close_button.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\finish-button.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\finish_button.jpg
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\icon.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\loader.gif
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\next-button-over.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\next-button.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\progress-bg.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\skip-button.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\Software.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\license.txt
%User Temp%\ish228234\locale\EN.locale
%User Temp%\ish228234\sdk\exceptlist.txt
%User Temp%\ish228234\bootstrap_22994.html
%Program Files%\is233109.log
%User Temp%\00038EA5.log
%User Temp%\00038EB4.log
%User Temp%\icreinstall\{malware file name}
%Desktop%\Continue FoxTab PDF Converter Installation.lnk
%User Temp%\000393B5.log
%User Temp%\is1438683437\673479180.cfg
%User Temp%\is1438683437\4380116.cfg
%User Temp%\is1438683437\114172_Setup.CIS

(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.. %Desktop% is the desktop folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Desktop in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop in 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.)

Other Details

This adware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

http://os.{BLOCKED}ile.com
http://os.{BLOCKED}ile.com/Prod/PDFCreator-v2.cis
http://cdnus.{BLOCKED}ile.com/Prod/PDFCreator-v2.cis
http://cdneu.{BLOCKED}ile.com/Prod/PDFCreator-v2.cis

SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.750

SSAPI PATTERN File: 1.639.00

SSAPI PATTERN Date: 09 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

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\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\List
- {malware path and file name} = "{random characters}"

Step 3

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%\00037B8A.log
%User Temp%\ish228234\blank.gif
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\buttons.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\ie6_main.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\main.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\browse.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\button.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\checkbox.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\images\button-bg.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\images\progress-bg.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\progress-bar.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer\offer_code.dat
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer\offer_html.dat
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer\US\offer_code.dat
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer\US\offer_html.dat
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\back-button.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\Bg.jpg
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\close_button.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\finish-button.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\finish_button.jpg
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\icon.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\loader.gif
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\next-button-over.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\next-button.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\progress-bg.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\skip-button.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\Software.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\license.txt
%User Temp%\ish228234\locale\EN.locale
%User Temp%\ish228234\sdk\exceptlist.txt
%User Temp%\ish228234\bootstrap_22994.html
%Program Files%\is233109.log
%User Temp%\00038EA5.log
%User Temp%\00038EB4.log
%User Temp%\icreinstall\{malware file name}
%Desktop%\Continue FoxTab PDF Converter Installation.lnk
%User Temp%\000393B5.log
%User Temp%\is1438683437\673479180.cfg
%User Temp%\is1438683437\4380116.cfg
%User Temp%\is1438683437\114172_Setup.CIS

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%\00037B8A.log
%User Temp%\ish228234\blank.gif
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\buttons.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\ie6_main.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\main.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\browse.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\button.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\checkbox.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\images\button-bg.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\images\progress-bg.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\progress-bar.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer\offer_code.dat
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer\offer_html.dat
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer\US\offer_code.dat
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer\US\offer_html.dat
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\back-button.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\Bg.jpg
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\close_button.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\finish-button.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\finish_button.jpg
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\icon.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\loader.gif
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\next-button-over.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\next-button.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\progress-bg.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\skip-button.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\Software.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\license.txt
%User Temp%\ish228234\locale\EN.locale
%User Temp%\ish228234\sdk\exceptlist.txt
%User Temp%\ish228234\bootstrap_22994.html
%Program Files%\is233109.log
%User Temp%\00038EA5.log
%User Temp%\00038EB4.log
%User Temp%\icreinstall\{malware file name}
%Desktop%\Continue FoxTab PDF Converter Installation.lnk
%User Temp%\000393B5.log
%User Temp%\is1438683437\673479180.cfg
%User Temp%\is1438683437\4380116.cfg
%User Temp%\is1438683437\114172_Setup.CIS
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%\00037B8A.log
%User Temp%\ish228234\blank.gif
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\buttons.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\ie6_main.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\main.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\browse.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\button.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\checkbox.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\images\button-bg.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\images\progress-bg.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\progress-bar.css
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer\offer_code.dat
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer\offer_html.dat
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer\US\offer_code.dat
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer\US\offer_html.dat
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\back-button.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\Bg.jpg
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\close_button.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\finish-button.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\finish_button.jpg
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\icon.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\loader.gif
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\next-button-over.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\next-button.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\progress-bg.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\skip-button.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\images\Software.png
%User Temp%\ish228234\license.txt
%User Temp%\ish228234\locale\EN.locale
%User Temp%\ish228234\sdk\exceptlist.txt
%User Temp%\ish228234\bootstrap_22994.html
%Program Files%\is233109.log
%User Temp%\00038EA5.log
%User Temp%\00038EB4.log
%User Temp%\icreinstall\{malware file name}
%Desktop%\Continue FoxTab PDF Converter Installation.lnk
%User Temp%\000393B5.log
%User Temp%\is1438683437\673479180.cfg
%User Temp%\is1438683437\4380116.cfg
%User Temp%\is1438683437\114172_Setup.CIS
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 4

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%\ish228234
%User Temp%\ish228234\css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\images
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer\US
%User Temp%\ish228234\images
%User Temp%\ish228234\locale
%User Temp%\ish228234\sdk
%User Temp%\ICReinstall
%User Temp%\is1438683437

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:

%User Temp%\ish228234
%User Temp%\ish228234\css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\images
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer\US
%User Temp%\ish228234\images
%User Temp%\ish228234\locale
%User Temp%\ish228234\sdk
%User Temp%\ICReinstall
%User Temp%\is1438683437
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: %User Temp%\ish228234
%User Temp%\ish228234\css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\images
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer\US
%User Temp%\ish228234\images
%User Temp%\ish228234\locale
%User Temp%\ish228234\sdk
%User Temp%\ICReinstall
%User Temp%\is1438683437

*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%\ish228234
%User Temp%\ish228234\css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\images
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer\US
%User Temp%\ish228234\images
%User Temp%\ish228234\locale
%User Temp%\ish228234\sdk
%User Temp%\ICReinstall
%User Temp%\is1438683437
Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the folder.
Repeat steps 2-3 for the remaining folders: %User Temp%\ish228234
%User Temp%\ish228234\css
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui
%User Temp%\ish228234\css\sdk-ui\images
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer
%User Temp%\ish228234\defaultOffer\US
%User Temp%\ish228234\images
%User Temp%\ish228234\locale
%User Temp%\ish228234\sdk
%User Temp%\ICReinstall
%User Temp%\is1438683437

*Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.

Step 5

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