Spyware.Apropos

SUMMARY

Behavior

Spyware.Apropos is an Internet Explorer Browser Helper Object. It installs a toolbar that links to Web sites and sends information.

Symptoms

One or more files is detected as Spyware.Apropos.

Transmission

It is installed via an ActiveX control.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) March 10, 2004
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) March 6, 2004

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When Spyware.Apropos runs, it does the following:

1. May create some of the following files:
   
   
   • %Windir%Downloaded Program Filesaprload.bin
   • %Windir%Downloaded Program Filesload.exe
   • %Windir%Downloaded Program Filesmonpop.exe
   • %Windir%Downloaded Program Filespop225.dll
   • %Windir%Downloaded Program Filespophook4.dll
   • %Windir%Downloaded Program FilesPopSrv225.exe
   • %Temp%install_ct.exe
   • %Temp%auto_update_loader.exe
   • %Temp%CXtPls.exe
   • %Temp%ProxyStub.dll
   • %Temp%WinGenerics.dll
   • %Temp%ace.dll
   • %Temp%atla.dll
   • %Temp%atlw.dll
   • %Temp%data.bin
   • %Temp%libexpat.dll
   • %Temp%ph.exe
   • %Temp%pm.exe
   • %Temp%setup.inf
   • %Temp%uninstaller.exe
   • %Temp%atl.dll
   • %System%atmon.exe
   • %System%intfaxui.exe
     
     Note:
     • %Windir% is a variable that refers to the Windows installation folder. By default, this is C:Windows or C:Winnt.
     • %Temp% is a variable that refers to the Windows temporary folder. By default, this is C:WindowsTEMP (Windows 95/98/Me/XP) or C:WINNTTemp (Windows NT/2000).
     • %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).
       
       
2. May add the following values:
   
   "AutoLoaderAproposClient" = "C:WINDOWSDownloaded Program Filesaprload.exe /ShowLegalNote /PC="POP.POP"
   "POP" = "C:WINDOWSDownloaded Program FilesPopSrv225.exe"
   "AutoLoaderEnvoloAutoUpdater" = "auto_update_loader.exe"
   "[random name]" = "intfaxui.exe"
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   so that Spyware.Apropos runs every time Windows starts.
   
   
3. Adds the value:
   
   "[random name]" = "atmon.exe"
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   so that Spyware.Apropos.B runs every time Windows starts.
   
   
4. May create some of the following registry subkeys:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{B5AB638F-D76C-415B-A8F2-F3CEAC502212}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{BC333116-6EA1-40A1-9D07-ECB192DB8CEA}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{016235BE-59D4-4CEB-ADD5-E2378282A1D9}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{5EB250D7-2F0D-2C7A-0DC0-8A508FE8F3C}{6B16BB4F-0B38-8762-1D21-878D02D8C66}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{5EB250D7-2F0D-2C7A-0DC0-8A508FE8F3C}{7096C141-D32A-7EA3-B355-B2410136DDE}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{5967BAE1-2AB3-00FC-21E8-57362EAE900}{758A7D6C-1952-3347-39E5-45F8F2D6433}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{645FD3BC-C314-4F7A-9D2E-64D62A0FDD78}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{65C8C1F5-230E-4DC9-9A0D-F3159A5E7778}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{8023A3E7-AB95-4C23-8313-0BE9842CC70E}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{976C4E11-B9C5-4B2B-97EF-F7D06BA4242F}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{D5580D6F-0E5F-4BDB-9CDF-F8EE68BEB008}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{BC333116-6EA1-40A1-9D07-ECB192DB8CEA}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{B99A727F-0782-4A71-BCC2-6E1E66414904}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{B548B7D8-3D03-4AED-A6A1-4251FAD00C10}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTPOP.Server.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTPOP.Server
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerExplorer Bars{8023A3E7-AB95-4C23-8313-0BE9842CC70E}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREApropos
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarePOP
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareAutoLoader
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREEnvolo
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallAproposClient
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftCode Store DatabaseDistribution Units{D5580D6F-0E5F-4BDB-9CDF-F8EE68BEB008}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbar{645FD3BC-C314-4F7A-9D2E-64D62A0FDD78}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallPOP
   
   
5. May go into an infinite loop of reading values from:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{5967BAE1-2AB3-00FC-21E8-57362EAE900}
   
   causing 100% CPU usage.
   
   
6. Downloads and displays advertisements.
   
   
7. Monitors browser activity and periodically contacts a remote server for instructions. Depending on the reply, it may:
   
   • Download and execute a program
   • Reconfigure itself to contact a different remote server
   • Adjust the interval between updates (the default interval is 12 hours)
   • Send information to the remote server

REMOVAL

Removal Tool
Symantec Security Response has developed a removal tool for Spyware.Apropos. Use this removal tool first, as it is the easiest way to remove this threat.

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

The current version of the tool is 1.0.1 and will have a digital signature timestamp equivalent to 02/18/2004 04:11 AM PST

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

It has been reported that a computer running Spyware.Apropos on it may also have other security risks installed. Symantec recommends that the following steps be carried out:

1. Apply the Spyware.Apropos Removal Tool.
2. Update the definitions by starting the Symantec program and running LiveUpdate.
3. Run a full system scan to detect any other security risks on the computer.
4. If the scan detects any further security risks, check for removal tools at http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/security.risks.tools.list.html.
5. If there are no removal tools for the security risks that are detected, follow the manual removal instructions listed in the threat report.

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

1. Update the definitions.
2. Uninstall Spyware.Apropos using the Add/Remove Programs utility.
3. Run a full system scan.
4. Delete the value that was added to the registry.
   

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

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

2. To uninstall the Spyware

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, so follow the instructions for Windows 98. If otherwise, click Start, point to Settings > 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 POP and/or AproposClient if present.
   
   
   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.
   
   

3. To run the scan

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program, and then run a full system scan.
   
   Note: If you ran the Add/Remove programs applet as described in the previous section, all the files may have been removed, and thus none of them will be detected.
   
2. If any files are detected as Spyware.Apropos and depending on which software version you are using, you may see one or more of the following options:
   
   Note: This applies only to versions of Norton AntiVirus that support Security Risk detection. If you are running a version of Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition that supports Security Risk detection, and Security Risk detection has been enabled, you will only see a message box that gives the results of the scan. If you have questions in this situation, contact your network administrator.
   
   • Exclude (Not recommended): If you click this button, it will set the threat so that it is no longer detectable. That is, the antivirus program will keep the security risk on your computer and will no longer detect it to remove from your computer.
     
     
   • Ignore or Skip: This option tells the scanner to ignore the threat for this scan only. It will be detected again the next time that you run a scan.
     
     
   • Cancel: This option is new to Norton Antivirus 2005. It is used when Norton Antivirus 2005 has determined that it cannot delete a security risk. This Cancel option tells the scanner to ignore the threat for this scan only, and thus, the threat will be detected again the next time that you run a scan.
     
     To actually delete the security risk:
     • Click its file name (under the Filename column).
     • In the Item Information box that displays, write down the full path and file name.
     • Then use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the file.
       
       If Windows reports that it cannot delete the file, this indicates that the file is in use. In this situation, complete the rest of the instructions on this page, restart the computer in Safe mode, and then delete the file using Windows Explorer.
       
       
   • Delete: This option will attempt to delete the detected files. In some cases, the scanner will not be able to do this.
     • If you see a message, "Delete Failed" (or similar message), manually delete the file.
     • Click the file name of the threat that is under the Filename column.
     • In the Item Information box that displays, write down the full path and file name.
     • Then use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the file.
       
       If Windows reports that it cannot delete the file, this indicates that the file is in use. In this situation, complete the rest of the instructions on this page, restart the computer in Safe mode, and then delete the file using Windows Explorer.

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_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
4. In the right pane, delete the following values if present:
   
   "AutoLoaderAproposClient" = "C:WINDOWSDownloaded Program Filesaprload.exe /ShowLegalNote /PC="POP.POP"
   "POP" = "C:WINDOWSDownloaded Program FilesPopSrv225.exe"
   "AutoLoaderEnvoloAutoUpdater" = "auto_update_loader.exe"
   "[random name]" = "intfaxui.exe"
   
   
5. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
6. In the right pane, delete the following values if present:
   
   "[random name]" = "atmon.exe"
   
   
7. Navigate to and delete the keys if they are present:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{B5AB638F-D76C-415B-A8F2-F3CEAC502212}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{BC333116-6EA1-40A1-9D07-ECB192DB8CEA}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{016235BE-59D4-4CEB-ADD5-E2378282A1D9}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{5EB250D7-2F0D-2C7A-0DC0-8A508FE8F3C}{6B16BB4F-0B38-8762-1D21-878D02D8C66}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{5EB250D7-2F0D-2C7A-0DC0-8A508FE8F3C}{7096C141-D32A-7EA3-B355-B2410136DDE}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{5967BAE1-2AB3-00FC-21E8-57362EAE900}{758A7D6C-1952-3347-39E5-45F8F2D6433}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{645FD3BC-C314-4F7A-9D2E-64D62A0FDD78}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{65C8C1F5-230E-4DC9-9A0D-F3159A5E7778}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{8023A3E7-AB95-4C23-8313-0BE9842CC70E}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{976C4E11-B9C5-4B2B-97EF-F7D06BA4242F}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{D5580D6F-0E5F-4BDB-9CDF-F8EE68BEB008}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{BC333116-6EA1-40A1-9D07-ECB192DB8CEA}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{B99A727F-0782-4A71-BCC2-6E1E66414904}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface{B548B7D8-3D03-4AED-A6A1-4251FAD00C10}
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTPOP.Server.1
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTPOP.Server
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerExplorer Bars{8023A3E7-AB95-4C23-8313-0BE9842CC70E}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREApropos
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarePOP
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareAutoLoader
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREEnvolo
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallAproposClient
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftCode Store DatabaseDistribution Units{D5580D6F-0E5F-4BDB-9CDF-F8EE68BEB008}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbar{645FD3BC-C314-4F7A-9D2E-64D62A0FDD78}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallPOP
   
   
8. Exit the Registry Editor.