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Adware.TargetAd

Friday, June 27 2008

Symantec Security Response

http://www.symantec.com/business/security_response/index.jsp

Adware.TargetAd

Updated: February 13, 2007 11:50:45 AM
Type: Adware
Risk Impact: Medium
Systems Affected: Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP

SUMMARY

Behavior


Adware.TargetAd is an Internet Explorer add-on that displays pop-up advertisements.

Symptoms


Your Symantec program detects Adware.TargetAd.

Transmission


This security risk must be manually installed.

Protection

  • Initial Rapid Release version July 20, 2006
  • Latest Rapid Release version June 14, 2008 revision 017
  • Initial Daily Certified version July 20, 2006
  • Latest Daily Certified version June 14, 2008 revision 016
  • Initial Weekly Certified release date July 26, 2006

Click here for a more detailed description of Rapid Release and Daily Certified virus definitions.

TECHNICAL DETAILS


When Adware.TargetAd is executed, it performs the following actions:
  1. Downloads its configuration from the following Web site:

    [http://]admin.target[REMOVED]

  2. May also download updates to its components from the above site.

  3. May create the following files:

    • %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft\Office\0.9.0.9\AK.dat
    • %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft\Office\0.9.0.9\AKL.dat
    • %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft\Office\0.9.0.9\Office.dll
    • %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft\Office\0.9.0.9\Version.ini
    • %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft\Office\0.9.0.9\WTP.dat
    • %ProgramFiles%\NetMeting\Target\0.9.0.8\AK.dat
    • %ProgramFiles%\NetMeting\Target\0.9.0.8\AKL.dat
    • %ProgramFiles%\NetMeting\Target\0.9.0.8\Target.dll
    • %ProgramFiles%\NetMeting\Target\0.9.0.8\Version.ini
    • %ProgramFiles%\NetMeting\Target\0.9.0.8\WTP.dat
    • %ProgramFiles%\NetMeting\Target\AK.dat
    • %ProgramFiles%\NetMeting\Target\AKL.dat
    • %ProgramFiles%\NetMeting\Target\Target.dll
    • %ProgramFiles%\NetMeting\Target\Target.ini
    • %ProgramFiles%\NetMeting\Target\Version.ini
    • %ProgramFiles%\NetMeting\Target\WTP.dat
    • %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Temp\[NUMBER].tmp
    • %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Temp\dllhost.exe
    • %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Temp\Symentec.exe

      Note:
    • %UserProfile% is a variable that refers to the current user's profile folder. By default, this is C:\Documents and Settings\[CURRENT USER] (Windows NT/2000/XP).
    • %ProgramFiles% is a variable that refers to the program files folder. By default, this is C:\Program Files.

  4. Creates and populates the following registry subkeys:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{002AF282-E42D-4B51-9F70-F1570C02FAAD}
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0A5EF610-EFB6-4AC4-A22A-3CA6B8148D08}
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{1B54093E-6F8D-4B96-B9FE-1F0026AA872A}
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{E16DCA92-8478-4BB0-B557-08012E8EAE00}
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{DAA57276-EBF7-422E-AA7A-5CC7788A2A20}
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TargetAD.Target
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TargetAD.Target.1
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TargetAD.TargetReg
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TargetAD.TargetReg.1
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{002AF282-E42D-4B51-9F70-F1570C02FAAD}
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{002AF282-E42D-4B51-9F70-F1570C02FAAD}
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\TargetAD

  5. Adds the value:

    "" = "yes"

    to the registry subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Display

  6. May modify the value:

    "Enable Browser Extensions" = "yes"

    in the registry subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

  7. Contacts various Chinese Web sites.

  8. Displays pop-up advertisements while the user is surfing the Internet.

REMOVAL


The following instructions pertain to all Symantec antivirus products that support security risk detection.
  1. Close all open Internet Explorer windows.
  2. Update the definitions.
  3. Run a full system scan.
  4. Delete any values added to the registry.
For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. To close all open Internet Explorer windows
Because this risk functions as a Microsoft Internet Explorer plug-in, it is necessary to close all open Internet Explorer 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 write down the following instructions, and then close all Internet Explorer windows.


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


3. To run the scan
  1. Start your Symantec antivirus program, and then run a full system scan.
  2. If any files are detected, 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 risk 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 risk 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 risk for this scan only, and thus, the risk 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.

    • 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 risk 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.

Important: If you are unable to start your Symantec antivirus product or the product reports that it cannot delete a detected file, you may need to stop the risk from running in order to remove it. To do 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 the next section.

Warning messages may be displayed when the computer is restarted, since the risk may not be fully removed at this point. You can ignore these messages and click OK. These messages will not appear when the computer is restarted after the removal instructions have been fully completed. The messages displayed may be similar to the following:

Title: [FILE PATH]
Message body: Windows cannot find [FILE NAME]. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search.

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.
  1. Click Start > Run.
  2. Type regedit

    Then click OK.

    Note: If the registry editor fails to open the risk may have modified the registry to prevent access to the registry editor. Security Response has developed a tool to resolve this problem. Download and run this tool, and then continue with the removal.

  3. Navigate to the subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Display

  4. In the right pane, delete the value:

    "" = "yes"

  5. Navigate to and delete the following subkeys:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{002AF282-E42D-4B51-9F70-F1570C02FAAD}
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0A5EF610-EFB6-4AC4-A22A-3CA6B8148D08}
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{1B54093E-6F8D-4B96-B9FE-1F0026AA872A}
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{E16DCA92-8478-4BB0-B557-08012E8EAE00}
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{DAA57276-EBF7-422E-AA7A-5CC7788A2A20}
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TargetAD.Target
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TargetAD.Target.1
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TargetAD.TargetReg
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TargetAD.TargetReg.1
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{002AF282-E42D-4B51-9F70-F1570C02FAAD}
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{002AF282-E42D-4B51-9F70-F1570C02FAAD}
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\TargetAD

  6. Exit the Registry Editor.




Read More:
Adware.TargetAd
Also See:
Adware.TrustInPopups
Adware.OneStep
Adware.Mycashbag
Adware.NewAds
Adware.Zhong