Adware.Sa

SUMMARY

Behavior

Adware.Sa is a Browser Helper Object (BHO) that hijacks URLs and may upload system information. It may also dial high-cost numbers using existing modem connections.

Note: Detections dated April 1st, 2005 or earlier may detect this adware as Adware.SurfAssistant.

Symptoms

One or more files are detected as Adware.Sa.

Transmission

Adware.Sa must be manually installed.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) December 1, 2004
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) November 29, 2004

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Adware.Sa is a BHO that attempts to connect to a particular Web site when a URL ends with .com, .co.uk, or .biz, as well as when the .txt files are viewed in Internet Explorer. It may also dial high-cost numbers using existing open modem connections.

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

1. Creates the mutex "M99Stub" so that only one copy of the Adware runs at a time.
   
   
2. Attempts to connect to the following domains:
   
   
   • sa-001.com, sa-002.com
   • sa-001.biz, sa-002.biz
   • sa-001.co.uk, sa-003.co.uk
   • dd.tibsystems.com
     
     Note: The URL may vary from system to system. It has been reported that the URL appears similar to:
     [LISTED DOMAIN]/sa/?a=[RANDOM CLSID]&b=14&c=0&d=1&e=0&f=0&g=5.1&h=3&i=e0010000&j=<system-time>&k=15
     
     
3. Adds some of the following files:
   
   
   • %Windir%questmod.dll
   • %Windir%questmod-1.dll
   • %Windir%upmod.dll
   • %Windir%upmod-1.dll
   • %Windir%sasent.dll
   • %Windir%Downloaded Program Files l7000.dll
     
     Note: %Windir% is a variable that refers to the Windows installation folder. By default, this is C:Windows or C:Winnt.
     
     
4. Adds the following registry keys when Adware.Sa is registered:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{7B55BB05-0B4D-44FD-81A6-B136188F5DEB}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{4BCF322B-9621-4e90-9678-F1424EB7584E}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{860CE847-8298-4114-B142-14043C2942B1}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesCLSID{4BCF322B-9621-4e90-9678-F1424EB7584E}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesInterface{D47BD4DE-B880-4610-8A8B-C173DEC4272F}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesTypeLib{85A886B2-29BB-4189-8046-A66733B242E9}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesCLSID{7B55BB05-0B4D-44FD-81A6-B136188F5DEB}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesInterface{18E6C36A-C45F-4B60-A1A4-5C0BB16D4CC2}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesTypeLib{00A322E2-7D50-4DBA-BEA4-5C8078D47269}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesCLSID{0191ABF4-9421-435E-9FFD-CD827A2A82D8}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesInterface{8A94C367-815A-4D4F-A6B6-D4EB877A126C}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesTypeLib{CED445E2-8C78-4F40-87D7-F7FB6F1B6791}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesSBITAX7.SBITAX7Ctrl
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesSBITAX7.SBITAX7Ctrl.1
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesCLSID{860CE847-8298-4114-B142-14043C2942B1}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesInterface{3CA4F168-FDC3-425D-8812-BB1379581E85}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesTypeLib{D6637F05-74ED-4CCF-80AB-20C8EC66877A}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesCLSID{38D4D5D0-423E-4220-B6F9-30918C2AE4A4}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesTypeLib{8EA362BD-39CB-40F5-9226-73CD40999095}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesClassesInterface{D6188A7D-376C-4970-91AD-675BFCF3762E}
   
   
5. Adds the value:
   
   "{38D4D5D0-423E-4220-B6F9-30918C2AE4A4}"=""
   
   to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerSharedTaskScheduler
   

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.Sa.
4. Delete the values that were 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.Sa, 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, you can leave the computer in Safe mode and proceed with section 4. When that is done, restart the computer in Normal mode.)
   

4. To delete the values 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 keys 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 and delete the following registry entries, if present:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{7B55BB05-0B4D-44FD-81A6-B136188F5DEB}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{4BCF322B-9621-4e90-9678-F1424EB7584E}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{860CE847-8298-4114-B142-14043C2942B1}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesCLSID{4BCF322B-9621-4e90-9678-F1424EB7584E}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesInterface{D47BD4DE-B880-4610-8A8B-C173DEC4272F}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesTypeLib{85A886B2-29BB-4189-8046-A66733B242E9}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesCLSID{7B55BB05-0B4D-44FD-81A6-B136188F5DEB}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesInterface{18E6C36A-C45F-4B60-A1A4-5C0BB16D4CC2}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesTypeLib{00A322E2-7D50-4DBA-BEA4-5C8078D47269}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesCLSID{0191ABF4-9421-435E-9FFD-CD827A2A82D8}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesInterface{8A94C367-815A-4D4F-A6B6-D4EB877A126C}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesTypeLib{CED445E2-8C78-4F40-87D7-F7FB6F1B6791}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesSBITAX7.SBITAX7Ctrl
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesSBITAX7.SBITAX7Ctrl.1
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesCLSID{860CE847-8298-4114-B142-14043C2942B1}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesInterface{3CA4F168-FDC3-425D-8812-BB1379581E85}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesTypeLib{D6637F05-74ED-4CCF-80AB-20C8EC66877A}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesCLSID{38D4D5D0-423E-4220-B6F9-30918C2AE4A4}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesTypeLib{8EA362BD-39CB-40F5-9226-73CD40999095}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesClassesInterface{D6188A7D-376C-4970-91AD-675BFCF3762E}
   
   
4. Navigate to the subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerSharedTaskScheduler
   
   
5. In the right pane, delete the following value if present:
   
   "{38D4D5D0-423E-4220-B6F9-30918C2AE4A4}"=""
   
   
6. Exit the Registry Editor.