Adware.Keenval

SUMMARY

Behavior

Adware.Keenval is an adware program that redirects the browser to portal sites, which may download more adware.
Note: Detections dated March 7th, 2005 or earlier may detect this adware as Adware.Keenval.B.

Symptoms

One or more files are detected as Adware.Keenval.

Transmission

Can be downloaded from a compromised Web site and must be manually installed.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) September 24, 2003
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) September 22, 2003

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When KeenValue.exe is executed, it performs the following actions:

1. May create some of the following files and folders:
   
   
   • %CommonProgramFiles%KeenValueIESliderWin32.dll
   • %CommonProgramFiles%KeenValueKeenvalue.exe
   • %CommonProgramFiles%KeenValueKeenValueInstall_with_track_120.exe
   • %CommonProgramFiles%KeenValueKillkeenvalue.exe
   • %CommonProgramFiles%KeenValueKv???.dat
   • %CommonProgramFiles%KeenValueKvlhookwin.dll
   • %CommonProgramFiles%KeenValueKwm.exe
   • %CommonProgramFiles%KeenValueSendUninstallInfo.exe
   • %CommonProgramFiles%KeenValueSetup_incredifind_ultimatesaver_with_track.exe
   • %CommonProgramFiles%KeenValueTipb.exe
   • %CommonProgramFiles%KeenValueUninstall.exe
   • %CommonProgramFiles%KeenValueSetup_powersearch_ultimateSaver_with_track.exe
   • %CommonProgramFiles%updmgr
   • %CommonProgramFiles%KeenValue
   • %CommonProgramFiles%updaterdelupdat.exe
   • %CommonProgramFiles%updaterwupdater.exe
   • %CommonProgramFiles%updatersui.exe
   • %CommonProgramFiles%updaterdata1.dat
   • %CommonProgramFiles%updaterdata2.dat
   • C:updaterInstall_112.exe
   • %System%setup_incred_9.exe
   • %System%unins000.dat
   • %System%unins000.exe
   • %System%somatic.dll
   • %ProgramFiles%PerfectNavBHOPerfectNav150c.dll
   • %ProgramFiles%MSBBkeen_value_installer.exe
   • %ProgramFiles%MyFreeCursors
   • %ProgramFiles%Dynamic ToolbarSOMATIC
   • C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersStart MenuProgramsStartupKeenValue.lnk
     
     Note:
   • %CommonProgramFiles% is a variable that refers to the Common Files folder. By default, this is C:Program FilesCommon Files.
   • %System% is a variable that refers to the System folder. By default this is C:WindowsSystem (Windows 95/98/Me), C:WinntSystem32 (Windows NT/2000), or C:WindowsSystem32 (Windows XP).
   • %ProgramFiles% is a variable that refers to the program files folder. By default, this is C:Program Files.
     
     
2. Adds the values:
   
   "KeenValue" = "%CommonProgramFiles%KeenValueKeenValue.exe"
   "updater" = "%CommonProgramFiles%updaterwupdater.exe"
   "updmgr" = "%CommonProgramFiles%updmgrvupdmgr.exe"
   
   to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   so that the adware is executed every time Windows starts.
   
   
3. Adds the value:
   
   "{4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-D1F7-EB6DB99AA97D}" = ""
   
   to the registry subkeys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbar
   HKEYCURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbarWebBrowser
   
   
4. Adds the value:
   
   "{00D6A7E7-4A97-456f-848A-3B75BF7554D7}" = ""
   
   to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerURLSearchHooks
   
   
5. Creates the following registry subkeys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareKeenValue
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareeUniverse
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareupdater
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareIncrediFind
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwarePerfectNav
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareDynamic ToolbarSOMATIC
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareClassesBHO.PerfectNavBHO
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareClassesBHO.PerfectNavBHO.1
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareClassesCLSID{4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-D1F7-EB6DB99AA97D}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareClassesCLSID{00D6A7E7-4A97-456f-848A-3B75BF7554D7}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareClassesInterface{8B8F6968-2F24-41E3-B653-E9613226F14D}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareClassesTypeLib{DE289BFA-737B-4ABB-A4EC-F8753551B875}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareClassesTypelib{53F066F0-A4C0-4F46-83EB-2DFD03F938CF}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareClassessomatic.SOMATIC
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallKeenValue
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallSearch-O-Matic Toolbar_is1
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{5D60FF48-95BE-4956-B4C6-6BB168A70310}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-D1F7-EB6DB99AA97D}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{00D6A7E7-4A97-456f-848A-3B75BF7554D7}

REMOVAL

Removal using the Adware.Keenval Removal Tool
Symantec Security Response has developed a removal tool for Adware.Keenval. Use this removal tool first, as it is the easiest way to remove this risk.

The tool can be found here:
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/FxKeenVl.exe

The current version of the tool will have a digital signature timestamp equivalent to 12/03/2004 12:38PM

Note: The date and time displayed will be adjusted to your time zone, if your computer is not set to the Pacific time zone.

Manual Removal
The following instructions pertain to all Symantec antivirus products that support Security Risk detection.

Note: Removing this adware component from the system will likely cause the program that installed it to not function as intended. The uninstaller generally identifies the programs that will not work after uninstallation.

1. Update the definitions.
2. Restart the computer in Safe mode.
3. Uninstall KeenValue using the Add/Remove Programs utility.
4. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Adware.Keenval.
5. Delete the value that was added to the registry.
6. Delete files used by this Adware
   
   

For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. Updating the definitions
To obtain the most recent definitions, start your Symantec program and run LiveUpdate.


2. Restarting the computer in Safe mode
Shut down the computer and turn off the power. Wait for at least 30 seconds, and then restart the computer in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document, "How to start the computer in Safe Mode."

3. Uninstalling the Adware

1. Do one of the following:
   • On the Windows 98 taskbar:
     1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel.
     2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
        
        
   • On the Windows Me taskbar:
     1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel.
     2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
        If you do not see the Add/Remove Programs icon, click "...view all Control Panel options."
        
        
   • On the Windows 2000 taskbar:
     By default, Windows 2000 is set up the same as Windows 98. In that case, follow the instructions for Windows 98. Otherwise, click Start, point to Settings, point to Control Panel, and then click Add/Remove Programs.
     
     
   • On the Windows XP taskbar:
     1. Click Start > Control Panel.
     2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add or Remove Programs.
        
        
2. Click KeenValue.
   
   Note: You may need to use the scroll bar to view the whole list.
   
3. Click Add/Remove, Change/Remove, or Remove (this varies with the operating system). Follow the prompts.

4. Scanning for and deleting the files

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program and run a full system scan.
2. If any files are detected as Adware.Keenval, click Delete.
   Notes:

• If your Symantec antivirus product reports that it cannot delete a detected file, write down the path and file name. Then use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the file.
• If you ran the Add/Remove programs applet as described in the previous section, it is possible that all files were removed and therefore none will be detected.

5. Deleting the value from the registry
WARNING: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before making any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify the specified keys only. Read the document, "How to make a backup of the Windows registry," for instructions.

Note: This is done to make sure all the keys are removed. They may not be there if the uninstaller removed them.

1. Click Start > Run
2. Type regedit
   
   Then click OK
   
   
3. Navigate to and delete the following subkeys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareKeenValue
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareeUniverse
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareupdater
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareIncrediFind
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwarePerfectNav
   HKEYCURRENT_USERSoftwareDynamic ToolbarSOMATIC
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareClassesBHO.PerfectNavBHO
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareClassesBHO.PerfectNavBHO.1
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareClassesCLSID{4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-D1F7-EB6DB99AA97D}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareClassesInterface{8B8F6968-2F24-41E3-B653-E9613226F14D}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareClassesTypeLib{DE289BFA-737B-4ABB-A4EC-F8753551B875}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareClassesTypelib{53F066F0-A4C0-4F46-83EB-2DFD03F938CF}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareClassessomatic.SOMATIC
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallKeenValue
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallSearch-O-Matic Toolbar_is1
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{5D60FF48-95BE-4956-B4C6-6BB168A70310}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-D1F7-EB6DB99AA97D}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{00D6A7E7-4A97-456f-848A-3B75BF7554D7}
   
   
4. Navigate to the subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
5. In the right pane, delete the values:
   
   "KeenValue" = "%CommonProgramFiles%KeenValueKeenValue.exe"
   "updater" = "%CommonProgramFiles%updaterwupdater.exe"
   "updmgr" = "%CommonProgramFiles%updmgrvupdmgr.exe"
   
6. Navigate to the subkeys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbar
   HKEYCURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbarWebBrowser
   
   
7. In the right pane, delete the value if it exists:
   
   "{4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-D1F7-EB6DB99AA97D}" = ""
   
8. Navigate to the subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerURLSearchHooks
   
9. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "{00D6A7E7-4A97-456f-848A-3B75BF7554D7}" = ""
   
10. Exit the Registry Editor.
    
    

6. Deleting files used by the adware

1. Open Windows Explorer
2. Navigate to and delete the folowing files and folders
   
   • %CommonProgramFiles%KeenValue
   • %CommonProgramFiles%updater
   • %CommonProgramFiles%updmgr
   • %ProgramFiles%MyFreeCursors
   • %ProgramFiles%PerfectNavBHO
   • %ProgramFiles%Dynamic ToolbarSOMATIC
   • C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersStart MenuProgramsStartupKeenValue.lnk
   • %System%unins000.dat
   • %System%unins000.exe
     
3. Exit Windows Explorer