Analysis by: Mohammed Malubay
ALIASES:

AdWare.Win32.Aureate.a(KASPERSKY);

 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 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: 1,777,098 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 15 Feb 2021

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 folders:

  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It drops the following files:

  • %All Users Profile%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Go!Zilla.lnk
  • %Desktop%\Go!Zilla.lnk
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\ad468x60.gzf
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\ad468x60.url
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\advert.dll
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\barimg\lizardbar.bmp
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\barimg\pannini.bmp
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\barimg\picasso.bmp
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\barimg\prog3.bmp
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\barimg\prog4.bmp
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\barimg\prog5.bmp
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\barimg\progbar256.bmp
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\barimg\rind.bmp
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\barimg\vgogh.bmp
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\click.wav
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\Down.exe
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\Go.cnt
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\Go.exe
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\Go.hlp
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\goeye.avi
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\GoIEHlp.dll
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\gozEULA.txt
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\growl.wav
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\INSTALL.LOG
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\listbk.bmp
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\netson.gif
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\Orderfrm.txt
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\problem.wav
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\Readme.txt
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\scream.wav
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\site.dat
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\status.map
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\Tips.tip
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\treebk.bmp
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\Uninstall Go!Zilla.lnk
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\UNWISE.EXE
  • %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\update.wav
  • %System%\advert.dll
  • %System%\Amcis.dll
  • %System%\DMPObj.ocx
  • %System%\Mscal.ocx
  • %System%\temp.000
  • %Windows%\amc\1\1.ctl

(Note: %All Users Profile% is the common user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\ProgramData on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit). . %Desktop% is the current user's desktop, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Desktop on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.. %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

It adds the following processes:

  • "%User Temp%\{Random Characters}.tmp" %System%\Mscal.ocx
  • "%User Temp%\{Random Characters}.tmp" %System%\DMPObj.ocx
  • "%User Temp%\{Random Characters}.tmp" %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\GoIEHlp.dll
  • "%User Temp%\{Random Characters}.tmp" %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\advert.dll
  • "%User Temp%\{Random Characters}.tmp" %System%\advert.dll
  • "%User Temp%\{Random Characters}.tmp" %System%\Amcis.dll
  • "%Program Files%\Go!Zilla\Go.exe" /REGISTER
  • "%Program Files%\Go!Zilla\Go.exe"

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

Other System Modifications

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Go!Zilla
DisplayName = Go!Zilla

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Go!Zilla
UninstallString = %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\UNWISE.EXE %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\INSTALL.LOG

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\SharedDLLs
%System%\advert.dll = 1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\SharedDLLs
%System%\Amcis.dll = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Go!Zilla\
Version
netson = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Go!Zilla
(Default) =

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\Adding File\
.current
(Default) = %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\growl.wav

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\Adding File\
.current
(Default) = %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\scream.wav

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\Download Failed\
.current
(Default) = %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\problem.wav

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\New Updates\
.current
(Default) = %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\update.wav

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\Click\
.current
(Default) = %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\click.wav

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Partial Download\DefaultIcon
(Default) = %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\GO.EXE,2

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Go!Zilla\
Version
work_dir = %Program Files%\Go!Zilla

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.DMP
Content Type = application/x-dmp

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.CCF
Content Type = application/x-ccf-content

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.PART
(Default) = Partial Download

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Partial Download
(Default) = Partial Go!Zilla Download

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Partial Download\shell\open\
command
(Default) = %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\Go.exe "%1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.DMP
(Default) = DMPFile

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
DMPFile
(Default) = Download Management Protocol

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
DMPFile\shell\open\
command
(Default) = %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\Go.exe "%1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CCFFile\shell\open\
command
(Default) = %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\Go.exe "%1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Go!Zilla\
Automation
integration = 1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{Generated ID}\LocalServer32
(Default) = %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\Go.exe

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Go!Zilla\
Connection
global max = 4294967295

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Go!Zilla\
Version
Module Name = %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\Go.exe

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Go!Zilla\
Window Style
downpos = 0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Go.Document
(Default) = Go!Zilla FileList

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Go.Document\DefaultIcon
(Default) = %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\Go.exe,1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Go.Document\shell\open\
command
(Default) = %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\Go.exe "%1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Go.Document\shell\print\
command
(Default) = %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\Go.exe /p "%1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Go.Document\shell\printto\
command
(Default) = %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\Go.exe /pt "%1" "%2" "%3" "%4"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.gzl
(Default) = Go.Document

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.gzl\ShellNew
NullFile =

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{Generated ID}
(Default) = Go!Zilla FileList

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Go.Document\CLSID
(Default) = {Generated ID}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{Generated ID}\ProgID
(Default) = Go.Document

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{Generated ID}\InprocHandler32
(Default) = ole32.d

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{Generated ID}\LocalServer32
(Default) = %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\Go.exe

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Go!Zilla\
Window
Title = Go!Zilla - All Categories

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
SOFTWARE\Aureate\Advertising\
Path
0 = %Program Files%\Go!Zilla\advert.dll

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Aureate\
Advertising\Demographics
Countdown13 = 2

Other Details

This Potentially Unwanted Application adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
Go!Zilla

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Go!Zilla

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Go!Zilla\
Version

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\Adding File

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\Adding File\
.current

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\Download Success

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\Download Success\
.current

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\Download Failed

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\Download Failed\
.current

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\StartUp

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\StartUp\
.current

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\ShutDown

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\ShutDown\
.current

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\Connecting to Internet

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\Connecting to Internet\
.current

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\Connected to Internet

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\Connected to Internet\
.current

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\Disconnecting from Internet

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\Disconnecting from Internet\
.current

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\System Shutdown

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\System Shutdown\
.current

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\Leeching Done

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\Leeching Done\
.current

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\New Updates

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\New Updates\
.current

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\Click

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\Click\
.current

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\Download Starting

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\Download Starting\
.current

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\New Channel Content

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\
Apps\GoZilla\New Channel Content\
.current

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Partial Download

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Partial Download\DefaultIcon

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.PART

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Partial Download\shell

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Partial Download\shell\open

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Partial Download\shell\open\
command

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
DMPFile

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
DMPFile\shell

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
DMPFile\shell\open

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
DMPFile\shell\open\
command

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CCFFile

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CCFFile\shell

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CCFFile\shell\open

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CCFFile\shell\open\
command

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
GoZilla.Netscape.Protocol

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
GoZilla.Netscape.Protocol\CLSID

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Go!Zilla\
Connection

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Go!Zilla\
Window Style

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Go!Zilla\
Window

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Go!Zilla\
Recent File List

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Go!Zilla\
Settings

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Go.Document

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Go.Document\DefaultIcon

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Go.Document\shell

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Go.Document\shell\open

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Go.Document\shell\open\
command

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Go.Document\shell\print

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Go.Document\shell\print\
command

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Go.Document\shell\printto

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Go.Document\shell\printto\
command

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.gzl

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.gzl\ShellNew

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{Generated ID}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Go.Document\CLSID

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Go!Zilla\
Graph

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Go!Zilla\
Files

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Go!Zilla\
FTPSearch

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Go!Zilla\
AutoDUN

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
SSAPI PATTERN File: 2.379.00
SSAPI PATTERN Date: 18 Feb 2021

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

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

Remove PUA.Win32.GoZilla.A by using its own Uninstall option

[ Learn More ]
To uninstall the grayware process

Step 4

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as PUA.Win32.GoZilla.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 the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.