Adware.SeekSeek

SUMMARY

Behavior

Adware.SeekSeek redirects searches to non-existent Web sites. The adware also redirects some particular URLs to a predetermined Web site. It can also display advertisements on the compromised computer.

• Definitions dated prior to January 13, 2005 detect this threat as Adware.SideSeek.

Symptoms

One or more files is detected as Adware.SeekSeek

Transmission

This program is usually installed as part of other adware

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) January 13, 2005
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) January 13, 2005

TECHNICAL DETAILS

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

1. Copies itself as %Windir%MSCORE.dll
   
   Note: %Windir% is a variable that refers to the Windows installation folder. By default, this is C:Windows or C:Winnt.
   
   
2. Deletes the value:
   
   "{CFBFAE00-17A6-11D0-99CB-00C04FD64497}" = " "
   
   from the registry key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerURLSearchHooks
   
   
3. Adds the value:
   
   "{1FFED2CB-FC98-49f8-B3D0-678D03350F1E}" = " "
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerURLSearchHooks
   
   so that it can redirect the search queries in Internet Explorer and non-existent sites to a predetermined Web site.
   
   
4. Creates the following registry keys:
   
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesCLSID{1FFED2CB-FC98-49f8-B3D0-678D03350F1E}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesInterface{96B3B1B9-A510-4603-BD66-2BB2C9F21542}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesTypeLib{69DB5061-FF0A-418B-ADA6-68AC77D69E44}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesUS.US
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesUS.US.1
   
   
5. Adds the values:
   
   "uuid" = "[random value]"
   "lp" = "0x00992245"
   
   in the registry key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERConsole
   
   
6. Displays advertisements on the compromised computer.

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.SeekSeek.
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.SeekSeek, 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 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 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 the key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERConsole
   
   In the right pane, delete the values:
   
   "uuid" = "[random value]"
   "lp" = "0x00992245"
   
   
4. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerUrlSearchHooks
   
   In the right pane, replace the value:
   
   "{1FFED2CB-FC98-49f8-B3D0-678D03350F1E} " = " "
   
   with the following value:
   
   "{CFBFAE00-17A6-11D0-99CB-00C04FD64497}" = " "
   
   
5. Delete the following registry keys:
   

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesCLSID{1FFED2CB-FC98-49f8-B3D0-678D03350F1E}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesInterface{96B3B1B9-A510-4603-BD66-2BB2C9F21542}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesTypeLib{69DB5061-FF0A-418B-ADA6-68AC77D69E44}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesUS.US
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesUS.US.1

1. Exit the Registry Editor.