PUA_BROWSEFOX.GA
Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.BA potentially unwanted (ESET-NOD32)
Windows

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
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 drops the following files:
- %Application Data%\MyTransitGuideTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll
- %User Temp%\{random}.tmp\secondary_bg.png
- %User Temp%\{random}.tmp\secondary_accept.png
- %User Temp%\{random}.tmp\secondary_decline.png
(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming 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.. %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 processes:
- Rundll32.exe "%Application Data%\MyTransitGuideTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll",A http://hp.{BLOCKED}y.com/mytransitguide/s17154/index.html
- %ProgramData%\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe"http://free.{BLOCKED}sitguide.com/successRedirect.jhtml?source=msni&successUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fhp%2Emyway%2Ecom%2Fmytransitguide%2Fs17154%2Findex%2Ehtml%3Fn%{value}%26p2%3D{value}%26ptb%3D{value}&pixelUrl=&coId={value}
Other System Modifications
This potentially unwanted application adds the following registry keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MyTransitGuide
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Microsoft\Windows\
CurrentVersion\Uninstall\MyTransitGuideTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
It adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MyTransitGuide
Start Page = http://hp.{BLOCKED}y.com/mytransitguide/s17154/index.html?n={value}&p2={value}&ptb={value}
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main
Start Page = http://hp.{BLOCKED}y.com/mytransitguide/s17154/index.html?n={value}&p2={value}&ptb={value}
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
MyTransitGuideTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
DisplayName = MyTransitGuide Internet Explorer Homepage and New Tab
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
MyTransitGuideTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
UninstallString = Rundll32.exe "%Application Data%\MyTransitGuideTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll" U uninstall:MyTransitGuide
Other Details
This potentially unwanted application connects to the following possibly malicious URL:
- http://hp.{BLOCKED}y.com/mytransitguide/s17154/assets/3c99c361f74b059def8f/app.js
SOLUTION
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
Delete this registry key
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
- MyTransitGuide
- MyTransitGuide
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
- MyTransitGuideTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
- MyTransitGuideTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
Step 4
Delete this registry value
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\Internet Explorer\Main
- Start Page = http://hp.myway.com/mytransitguide/s17154/index.html?n={value}&p2={value}&ptb={value};
- Start Page = http://hp.myway.com/mytransitguide/s17154/index.html?n={value}&p2={value}&ptb={value};
Step 5
Search and delete this file
- %Application Data%\MyTransitGuideTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll
- %User Temp%\{random}.tmp\secondary_bg.png
- %User Temp%\{random}.tmp\secondary_accept.png
- %User Temp%\{random}.tmp\secondary_decline.png
Step 6
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as PUA_BROWSEFOX.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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