CodeClean

SUMMARY

Behavior

CodeClean is a potentially unwanted application described as a spyware removal utility that may give exaggerated reports about potential risks on the computer. The program then prompts the user to purchase a registered version of the software in order to remove the reported risks. This risk is manually installed.

Protection

• Initial Rapid Release version January 29, 2007
• Latest Rapid Release version June 14, 2008 revision 017
• Initial Daily Certified version January 29, 2007
• Latest Daily Certified version June 14, 2008 revision 016
• Initial Weekly Certified release date January 31, 2007

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

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Once the security risk is executed, it creates the following files:
%UserProfile%\Desktop\[KOREAN CHARACTERS].lnk
%ProgramFiles%\CodeClean2007\CCDTB.exe
%ProgramFiles%\CodeClean2007\CCExp.dll
%ProgramFiles%\CodeClean2007\CCIntro.exe
%ProgramFiles%\CodeClean2007\CCSkin.dll
%ProgramFiles%\CodeClean2007\CodeClean.exe
%ProgramFiles%\CodeClean2007\mfc71.dll - clean file
%ProgramFiles%\CodeClean2007\msvcp71.dll - clean file
%ProgramFiles%\CodeClean2007\msvcr71.dll - clean file
%ProgramFiles%\CodeClean2007\uninstall.exe - nonmalicious file
%ProgramFiles%\CodeClean2007\Update\ccbs.dat
%ProgramFiles%\CodeClean2007\Update\ccfl.dat
%ProgramFiles%\CodeClean2007\Update\ccpr.dat
%ProgramFiles%\CodeClean2007\Update\ccrl.dat

The Security risk creates the following registry entries, so that it runs every time Windows starts:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\"CodeClean" = "%ProgramFiles%\CodeClean2007\CCIntro.exe /h"

It also creates the following registry subkeys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{E40ACE2C-5722-4BFF-BE3E-7741A211D466}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{92378C0B-4C11-4F44-8127-256FE2F71319}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{92378C0A-4C11-4F44-8127-256FE2F71319}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CCExp.SiteBlock
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CCExp.SiteBlock.1
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\CodeClean
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\CodeClean

The security risk displays misleading dialog and message boxes in Korean that may give exaggerated reports about potential risks on the computer. The messages are aggressive marketing techniques that may mislead and convince the user to purchase a full version of the security risk.

REMOVAL

The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.

1. Uninstall the security risk.
2. Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
3. Update the virus definitions.
4. Run a full system scan.
5. Delete any values added to the registry.

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

1. To uninstall the security risk
This security risk includes an uninstallation applet. In order to uninstall this security risk, complete the following instructions:

1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel or Start > Control Panel (this varies with the operating system).
   
   
2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
   
   Windows Me only: If you do not see the Add/Remove Programs icon, click ...view all Control Panel options.
   
   
3. Click CodeClean.
   
   Note: You may need to use the scroll bar to view the whole list.
   
   
4. Click Add/Remove, Change/Remove, or Remove (this varies with the operating system). Follow the prompts.
   
   Note: After running the Add/Remove programs applet, all the files may have been removed. You will want to run a full system scan to ensure that this is the case. However, it is possible that no files will be detected after using Add/Remove programs.

2. 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, reenable 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).

3. 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.
• 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 Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater).

The latest Intelligent Updater virus definitions can be obtained here: Intelligent Updater virus definitions. For detailed instructions read the document: How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater.

4. To run a full system scan

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
2. Run a full system scan.
3. If any files are detected, follow the instructions displayed by your antivirus program.

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 threat 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.

5. 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. For instructions refer to the document: How to make a backup of the Windows registry.

1. Click Start > Run.
2. Type regedit
3. Click OK.
   
   Note: If the registry editor fails to open the threat 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.
4. Navigate to and delete the following entries:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\"CodeClean" = "%ProgramFiles%\CodeClean2007\CCIntro.exe /h"
   
   
   
5. Navigate to and delete the following subkeys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{E40ACE2C-5722-4BFF-BE3E-7741A211D466}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{92378C0B-4C11-4F44-8127-256FE2F71319}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{92378C0A-4C11-4F44-8127-256FE2F71319}
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CCExp.SiteBlock
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CCExp.SiteBlock.1
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\CodeClean
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\CodeClean
   
   
   
6. Exit the Registry Editor.