Adware.MatrixSearch

SUMMARY

Behavior

Adware.MatrixSearch is a browser helper object that displays pop-up windows in Internet Explorer.

Symptoms

The presence of registry subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorer
Browser Helper Objects{D879A0F1-2B3B-4409-8879-FAD6E49E1EA9}

Transmission

This security risk is installed automatically over the Internet while browsing certain Web sites.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) March 16, 2005
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) March 12, 2005

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When Adware.MatrixSearch is executed, it performs the following actions:

1. Creates the following registry subkeys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion
   ExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{D879A0F1-2B3B-4409-8879-FAD6E49E1EA9}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion
   ExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{9C5B2F29-1F46-4639-A6B4-828942301D3E}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion
   ExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{622CC208-B014-4FE0-801B-874A5E5E403A}
   
   so that the adware runs every time Internet Explorer is started.
   
   
2. Adds the value:
   
   "LoadHTML" = "rundll32.exe c:windowssystem32egsvr32.exe,MShtmpre"
   
   to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   so that the adware runs every time Windows is started.
   
   
3. Creates the following registry subkeys:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{15651C7C-E812-44a2-A9AC-B467A2233E7D}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{622CC208-B014-4FE0-801B-874A5E5E403A}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{9C5B2F29-1F46-4639-A6B4-828942301D3E}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{D879A0F1-2B3B-4409-8879-FAD6E49E1EA9}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{16F6A635-09F8-44E6-953E-81D037647255}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{34DCDBDB-60EF-4281-92C6-68C299AAB8E5}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{FC02833E-9FDE-4862-974F-828887716A28}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{722C6699-FDF7-4B4F-BDD0-F84CF5791A80}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{B8F9DD56-4FFA-47B0-B9D7-42F45A752F4E}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{E9A45914-275E-4866-BB75-5D65CBC3F311}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{5E6895EA-E919-4331-ADBE-827D4D8915AC}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAutoSearch1.BHOsrc
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAutoSearch1.BHOsrc.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAutoSearch1.SrchHook
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAutoSearch1.SrchHook.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTBho1.html
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTBho1.html.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTBho.html
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTBho.html.1
   
   
4. Adds the following values
   
   "html_unresident" = "res://C:WINDOWSSystem32SIPSPI32.dll/Desinstala.htm"
   "html_stopengine" = "res://C:WINDOWSSystem32SIPSPI32.dll/Desactiva.htm"
   "html_gotowork" = "res://C:WINDOWSSystem32SIPSPI32.dll/Activa.htm"
   "html_onlyone" = "res://C:WINDOWSSystem32SIPSPI32.dll/p1.htm"
   "html_reconfig3" = "res://C:WINDOWSSystem32SIPSPI32.dll/p3.htm"
   "html_reconfig5" = "res://C:WINDOWSSystem32SIPSPI32.dll/p5.htm"
   "html_reconfig9" = "res://C:WINDOWSSystem32SIPSPI32.dll/p9.htm"
   
   to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerAboutURLs
   
   
5. Adds the values:
   
   "ppcimdnnnjbeahepfabjipfginloedkg cfcaak"
   "ppcimdnnnjbeahepfabjipfginloedkg enodaj"
   "goicfboogidikkejccmclpieicihhlpo ejfebp"
   "goicfboogidikkejccmclpieicihhlpo imfado"
   "goicfboogidikkejccmclpieicihhlpo igcdca"
   
   to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionWinTrust
   Trust ProvidersSoftware PublishingTrust Database
   
   
6. Opens an unusually high number of Internet Explorer windows.
   
   
7. Redirects non-existent Web site searches to www.123mania.com.

REMOVAL

The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.

1. Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
2. Update the virus definitions.
3. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Adware.MatrixSearch.
4. Delete the value that was added to the registry.
   

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

1. To disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP)
If you are running Windows Me or Windows XP, we recommend that you temporarily turn off System Restore. Windows Me/XP uses this feature, which is enabled by default, to restore the files on your computer in case they become damaged. If a virus, worm, or Trojan infects a computer, System Restore may back up the virus, worm, or Trojan on the computer.

Windows prevents outside programs, including antivirus programs, from modifying System Restore. Therefore, antivirus programs or tools cannot remove threats in the System Restore folder. As a result, System Restore has the potential of restoring an infected file on your computer, even after you have cleaned the infected files from all the other locations.

Also, a virus scan may detect a threat in the System Restore folder even though you have removed the threat.

For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows documentation, or one of the following articles:

• How to disable or enable Windows Me System Restore
• How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore
  
  Note: When you are completely finished with the removal procedure and are satisfied that the threat has been removed, re-enable System Restore by following the instructions in the aforementioned documents.
  
  For additional information, and an alternative to disabling Windows Me System Restore, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article: Antivirus Tools Cannot Clean Infected Files in the _Restore Folder, Article ID: Q263455.

2. To update the virus definitions
Symantec Security Response fully tests all the virus definitions for quality assurance before they are posted to our servers. There are two ways to obtain the most recent virus definitions:

• Running LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions: These virus definitions are posted to the LiveUpdate servers once each week (usually on Wednesdays), unless there is a major virus outbreak. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by LiveUpdate, refer to the Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate).
• Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted daily. You should download the definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site and manually install them. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, refer to the Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater).
  
  The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are available: Read: How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater, for detailed instructions.

3. To scan for and delete the infected files

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
   • For Norton AntiVirus consumer products: Read the document: How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files.
   • For Symantec AntiVirus Enterprise products: Read the document, How to verify that a Symantec Corporate antivirus product is set to scan all files.
2. Run a full system scan.
3. If any files are detected as infected with Adware.MatrixSearch, click Delete.
   
   Note: If your Symantec antivirus product reports that it cannot delete an infected file, Windows may be using the file. To fix this, run the scan in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document: How to start the computer in Safe Mode. Once you have restarted in Safe mode, run the scan again.
   
   After the files are deleted, restart the computer in Normal mode and proceed with section 4.
   

4. To delete the value from the registry
Important: 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 subkeys only. Read the document, How to make a backup of the Windows registry, for instructions.

1. Click Start > Run.
2. Type regedit
   
   Then click OK.
   
   
3. Navigate to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
4. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "LoadHTML" = "rundll32.exe c:windowssystem32egsvr32.exe,MShtmpre"
   
   
5. Navigate to and delete the following subkeys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion
   ExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{D879A0F1-2B3B-4409-8879-FAD6E49E1EA9}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion
   ExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{9C5B2F29-1F46-4639-A6B4-828942301D3E}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion
   ExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{622CC208-B014-4FE0-801B-874A5E5E403A}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{15651C7C-E812-44a2-A9AC-B467A2233E7D}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{622CC208-B014-4FE0-801B-874A5E5E403A}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{9C5B2F29-1F46-4639-A6B4-828942301D3E}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{D879A0F1-2B3B-4409-8879-FAD6E49E1EA9}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{16F6A635-09F8-44E6-953E-81D037647255}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{34DCDBDB-60EF-4281-92C6-68C299AAB8E5}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{FC02833E-9FDE-4862-974F-828887716A28}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{722C6699-FDF7-4B4F-BDD0-F84CF5791A80}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{B8F9DD56-4FFA-47B0-B9D7-42F45A752F4E}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{E9A45914-275E-4866-BB75-5D65CBC3F311}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{5E6895EA-E919-4331-ADBE-827D4D8915AC}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAutoSearch1.BHOsrc
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAutoSearch1.BHOsrc.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAutoSearch1.SrchHook
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAutoSearch1.SrchHook.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTBho1.html
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTBho1.html.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTBho.html
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTBho.html.1
   
   
6. Navigate to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerAboutURLs
   
   In the right pane, delete the values:
   
   "html_unresident" = "res://C:WINDOWSSystem32SIPSPI32.dll/Desinstala.htm"
   "html_stopengine" = "res://C:WINDOWSSystem32SIPSPI32.dll/Desactiva.htm"
   "html_gotowork" = "res://C:WINDOWSSystem32SIPSPI32.dll/Activa.htm"
   "html_onlyone" = "res://C:WINDOWSSystem32SIPSPI32.dll/p1.htm"
   "html_reconfig3" = "res://C:WINDOWSSystem32SIPSPI32.dll/p3.htm"
   "html_reconfig5" = "res://C:WINDOWSSystem32SIPSPI32.dll/p5.htm"
   "html_reconfig9" = "res://C:WINDOWSSystem32SIPSPI32.dll/p9.htm"
   
   
7. Navigate to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionWinTrust
   Trust ProvidersSoftware PublishingTrust Database
   
   In the right pane, delete the values:
   
   "ppcimdnnnjbeahepfabjipfginloedkg cfcaak"
   "ppcimdnnnjbeahepfabjipfginloedkg enodaj"
   "goicfboogidikkejccmclpieicihhlpo ejfebp"
   "goicfboogidikkejccmclpieicihhlpo imfado"
   "goicfboogidikkejccmclpieicihhlpo igcdca"
   
   
8. Exit the Registry Editor.