PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 SYSTEM IMPACT RATING:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Potentially Unwanted Application

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Potentially Unwanted Application 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: 3,112,448 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 07 Jun 2020

Arrival Details

This Potentially Unwanted Application 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 Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following processes:

  • %SystemRoot%\SYSTEM32\WISPTIS.EXE /ManualLaunch;
  • %User Temp%\PC Gold.exe Arguments

(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(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

Autostart Technique

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
PC Gold = "%User Temp%\PC Gold.exe"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
PC Gold = "%User Temp%\PC Gold.exe"

Other System Modifications

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\
Protection
Condition = "Trial"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\
Protection
Install = "06/02/2020"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\
Protection
Expire = "21/02/2020"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\
Protection
Scantime = "off"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\
Protection
Scantimeclean = "off"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\
Protection
Scantimeb = "off"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\
Protection
Scantimecleanb = "off"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\
Protection
Trialmess1 = "off"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\
Protection
Trialmess2 = "off"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\
Protection
Notification32 = "Off"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\
Protection
trayNotification = "on"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\
Protection
Schedual = "Daily"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\
Protection
Schedualtime = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\
Protection
demotest = "notupdate"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\
Protection
Installsend = "off"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\
Protection
Mac = "005056BC5B9B"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Touch
TouchGate = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\MultiTouch
MultiTouchEnabled = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
FlickMode = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
TouchFlickTolerance = "50"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
FlickTolerance = "50"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
UICursorMode = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
UIFeedbackMode = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
ShakeAngle = "10"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
ShakeRate = "2280"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
ShakeSize = "4"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
ShakeCount = "3"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
ShakeTime = "100"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
HoverLimit = "15"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
Splash = "50"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
Cancel = "10"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
Move = "40"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
DblDist = "15"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
HoverCount = "6"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
DblTime = "800"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
LagTime = "30"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
TapTime = "100"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
WaitTime = "300"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
OpenTime = "300"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
HoldTime = "2300"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
CloseTime = "500"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
SingleTapMode = "2"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
DoubleTapMode = "2"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
HoldMode = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
MouseInputResolutionX = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
MouseInputResolutionY = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
MouseInputFrequency = "33"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
SguiMode = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
EraseEnable = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
RightMaskEnable = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
ShakeEnable = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\Persist\
0\1
HidCursorName = "Mouse"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Wisp\Pen\Persist\
0
type = "3"

This report is generated via an automated analysis system.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.850

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.

Step 2

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 3

Identify and terminate files detected as PUA.MSIL.PCGoldOptimizer.A

[ 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 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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • PC Gold = "%User Temp%\PC Gold.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • PC Gold = "%User Temp%\PC Gold.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\Protection
    • Condition = "Trial"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\Protection
    • Install = "06/02/2020"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\Protection
    • Expire = "21/02/2020"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\Protection
    • Scantime = "off"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\Protection
    • Scantimeclean = "off"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\Protection
    • Scantimeb = "off"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\Protection
    • Scantimecleanb = "off"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\Protection
    • Trialmess1 = "off"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\Protection
    • Trialmess2 = "off"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\Protection
    • Notification32 = "Off"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\Protection
    • trayNotification = "on"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\Protection
    • Schedual = "Daily"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\Protection
    • Schedualtime = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\Protection
    • demotest = "notupdate"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\Protection
    • Installsend = "off"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCGold\Protection
    • Mac = "005056BC5B9B"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Touch
    • TouchGate = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\MultiTouch
    • MultiTouchEnabled = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • FlickMode = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • TouchFlickTolerance = "50"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • FlickTolerance = "50"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • UICursorMode = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • UIFeedbackMode = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • ShakeAngle = "10"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • ShakeRate = "2280"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • ShakeSize = "4"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • ShakeCount = "3"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • ShakeTime = "100"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • HoverLimit = "15"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • Splash = "50"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • Cancel = "10"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • Move = "40"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • DblDist = "15"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • HoverCount = "6"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • DblTime = "800"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • LagTime = "30"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • TapTime = "100"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • WaitTime = "300"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • OpenTime = "300"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • HoldTime = "2300"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • CloseTime = "500"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • SingleTapMode = "2"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • DoubleTapMode = "2"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • HoldMode = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • MouseInputResolutionX = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • MouseInputResolutionY = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • MouseInputFrequency = "33"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • SguiMode = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • EraseEnable = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • RightMaskEnable = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters
    • ShakeEnable = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\Persist\0\1
    • HidCursorName = "Mouse"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\Persist\0
    • type = "3"

Step 5

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as PUA.MSIL.PCGoldOptimizer.A. 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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