Adware.Searchsquire

SUMMARY

Behavior

Adware.Searchsquire is a Browser Helper Object that redirects certain URLs to a specified Web site.

Symptoms

Your Symantec antivirus program detects this threat as Adware.Searchsquire.

Transmission

This adware component may be manually installed, or installed as a component of another program.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) January 14, 2004
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) January 14, 2004

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When SearchInstall.exe is executed, it attempts to connect to the predetermined site and perform the following actions:

1. Creates the following files to %System% folder:
   
   • SearchUpdate<number>.exe
   • SearchSquire<number>.dll
   • unSearch<number>.exe (a nonmalicious, uninstall program)
   • engine.txt
   • engine2.txt
   • partner.txt
     
     Notes:
   • %System% is a variable. The Adware.Searchsquire locates the System folder and copies itself to that location. By default, this is C:WindowsSystem (Windows 95/98/Me), C:WinntSystem32 (Windows NT/2000), or C:WindowsSystem32 (Windows XP).
   • unSearch33.exe, engine.txt, engine2.txt, and partner.txt are nonmalicious files, and therefore your Symantec antivirus product will not detect it.
     
2. Adds the value:
   
   "SearchSquire<number>" = "%System%SearchUpdate<number>.exe"
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   so that the Adware.Searchsquire runs when you start Windows.
   
   
3. Adds the values:
   
   • "C:WINDOWSSYSTEMpartner.txt" = "1"
   • "C:WINDOWSSYSTEMengine2.txt" = "1"
   • "C:WINDOWSSYSTEMengine.txt" = "1"
   • "C:WINDOWSSYSTEMunSearch<number>.exe" = "1"
   • "C:WINDOWSSYSTEMSearchUpdate<number>.exe" = "1"
   • "C:WINDOWSSYSTEMSearchSquire<number>.dll" = "1"
     
     to the registry subkey:
     
     HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionSharedDlls
     
     
4. Adds in the following keys:
   
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows
     CurrentVersionUninstall{11990E9G-2A4D-11D6-9507-02608CDD2843}
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftCode Store Database
     Distribution Units{907CA0E5-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2846}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{907CA0E5-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2842}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{11990E99-2A4D-11D6-9507-02608CDD2841}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{11990E9F-2A4D-11D6-9507-02608CDD2840}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{907CA0E5-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2846}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{907CA0E5-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2841}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{11990E9F-2A4D-11D6-9507-02608CDD2846}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{907CA0E4-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2842}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{907CA0E4-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2841}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{907CA0E4-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2846}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{907CA0E6-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2842}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{907CA0E6-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2841}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{907CA0E6-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2846}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSearchSquire2.Squire
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSearchSquire2.Squire.1
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorer
     Browser Helper Objects{907CA0E5-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2846}
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorer
     Browser Helper Objects{11990E9F-2A4D-11D6-9507-02608CDD2841}
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorer
     Browser Helper Objects{907CA0E5-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2841}
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion
     ModuleUsageC:/WINDOWS/SYSTEM/partner.txt
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionModuleUsage
     C:/WINDOWS/SYSTEM/engine2.txt
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionModuleUsage
     C:/WINDOWS/SYSTEM/engine.txt
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionModuleUsage
     C:/WINDOWS/SYSTEM/unSearch<number>.exe
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionModuleUsage
     C:/WINDOWS/SYSTEM/SearchUpdate<number>.exe
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionModuleUsage
     C:/WINDOWS/SYSTEM/SearchSquire<number>.dll
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionInternet SettingsoneMapDomainssearchsquire.com
     
     
5. Displays pop-up advertisements.

REMOVAL

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

1. Update the definitions.
2. Close all the open browser windows.
3. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Adware.Searchsquire.
4. Delete the value that was added to the registry.
   

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. Closing all open browser windows
Since Adware.Searchsquire functions as a Microsoft Internet Explorer plug-in, it is necessary to close all the open browser windows to remove it. If you are reading this writeup in Internet Explorer, print this writeup using our printer-friendly option at the top of the page, or note the following instructions, and then close all the open browser windows.

3. 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.Searchsquire, click Delete.
   
   Note: 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.

4. 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.

1. Click Start, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
2. Type regedit
   
   Then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)
   
   
3. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
4. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "SearchSquire<number>" = "%System%SearchUpdate<number>.exe"
   
   
5. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionSharedDlls
   
   
6. In the right pane, delete the values:
   
   • "C:WINDOWSSYSTEMpartner.txt" = "1"
   • "C:WINDOWSSYSTEMengine2.txt" = "1"
   • "C:WINDOWSSYSTEMengine.txt" = "1"
   • "C:WINDOWSSYSTEMunSearch<number>.exe" = "1"
   • "C:WINDOWSSYSTEMSearchUpdate<number>.exe" = "1"
   • "C:WINDOWSSYSTEMSearchSquire<number>.dll" = "1"
     
     
7. Navigate to and delete the following keys:
   
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows
     CurrentVersionUninstall{11990E9G-2A4D-11D6-9507-02608CDD2843}
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftCode Store Database
     Distribution Units{907CA0E5-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2846}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{907CA0E5-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2842}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{11990E99-2A4D-11D6-9507-02608CDD2841}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{11990E9F-2A4D-11D6-9507-02608CDD2840}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{907CA0E5-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2846}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{907CA0E5-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2841}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{11990E9F-2A4D-11D6-9507-02608CDD2846}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{907CA0E4-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2842}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{907CA0E4-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2841}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{907CA0E4-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2846}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{907CA0E6-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2842}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{907CA0E6-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2841}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib{907CA0E6-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2846}
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSearchSquire2.Squire
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSearchSquire2.Squire.1
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorer
     Browser Helper Objects{907CA0E5-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2846}
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorer
     Browser Helper Objects{11990E9F-2A4D-11D6-9507-02608CDD2841}
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorer
     Browser Helper Objects{907CA0E5-CE84-11D6-9508-02608CDD2841}
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion
     ModuleUsageC:/WINDOWS/SYSTEM/partner.txt
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionModuleUsage
     C:/WINDOWS/SYSTEM/engine2.txt
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionModuleUsage
     C:/WINDOWS/SYSTEM/engine.txt
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionModuleUsage
     C:/WINDOWS/SYSTEM/unSearch<number>.exe
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionModuleUsage
     C:/WINDOWS/SYSTEM/SearchUpdate<number>.exe
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionModuleUsage
     C:/WINDOWS/SYSTEM/SearchSquire<number>.dll
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionInternet SettingsoneMapDomainssearchsquire.com
     
     
8. Exit the Registry Editor.