Class: Adware
Adware covers programs designed to display advertisements (usually in the form of banners), redirect search requests to advertising websites, and collect marketing-type data about the user (e.g. which types of websites s/he visits) in order to display customized advertising on the computer. Other than displaying advertisements and collecting data, these types of program generally do not make their presence in the system known: there will be no signs of the program in the system tray, and no indication in the program menu that files have been installed. Often, Adware programs do not have any uninstall procedures and use technologies which border on virus technology to help the program stealthily penetrate the computer and run unnoticed. Penetration There are two main ways in which Adware gets onto a user’s computer: it is built-in to some freeware and shareware programs unauthorized installation to a user’s computer as a result of a visit to an infected website. Most freeware and shareware programs stop displaying advertisements once they have been purchased and/or registered. But these programs often use built-in third-party Adware utilities, and in some cases, these utilities remain installed on the user’s computer even once the programs have been registered. Furthermore, removing the Adware component, which is still being used by a program to display advertisements, could cause the program to malfunction. The main purpose of Adware spread via the first method is to extract a type of payment for the software by showing advertisements to the user (the parties who make the advertisements pay the advertising agency, and the advertising agency pays the Adware developer). Adware also helps cut expenses for software developers (revenue from Adware encourages them to write new programs and improve existing ones), and it helps cut costs for users, too. Hacker technologies are often used when advertising components are installed on a user’s computer following a visit to an infected website. For instance, the computer can be penetrated via a browser vulnerability and Trojans designed to stealthily install (Trojan-Downloader or Trojan-Dropper) can be used. Adware programs that work in this way are often called Browser Hijackers. Displaying advertisements There are two main ways in which advertising is shown to the user: by downloading advertising text and images to a computer from web or FTP servers owned by the advertiser redirecting Internet browser search requests to advertising websites. In some cases, redirect requests takes place only if the user’s requested web page is not available i.e. if is an error in the URL. Collecting data In addition to displaying advertisements, many advertising systems also collect data about the computer and the user, such as: the computer’s IP address the operating system and browser version a list of the most frequently visited sites search queries other data that may be used to conduct subsequent advertising campaigns. Note: it is important not to confuse Adware that collects data with Trojan spyware programs. The difference is that Adware collects data with the user’s consent. If Adware does not notify the user that it is gathering information, then it is classified as a malicious program (Malware), specifically covered by the Trojan-Spy behaviour.Read more
Platform: Win32
Win32 is an API on Windows NT-based operating systems (Windows XP, Windows 7, etc.) that supports execution of 32-bit applications. One of the most widespread programming platforms in the world.Family: FileTour
No family descriptionTactics and Techniques: Mitre*
Adversaries may exploit software vulnerabilities in client applications to execute code. Vulnerabilities can exist in software due to unsecure coding practices that can lead to unanticipated behavior. Adversaries can take advantage of certain vulnerabilities through targeted exploitation for the purpose of arbitrary code execution. Oftentimes the most valuable exploits to an offensive toolkit are those that can be used to obtain code execution on a remote system because they can be used to gain access to that system. Users will expect to see files related to the applications they commonly used to do work, so they are a useful target for exploit research and development because of their high utility.
Several types exist:
### Browser-based Exploitation
Web browsers are a common target through Drive-by Compromise and Spearphishing Link. Endpoint systems may be compromised through normal web browsing or from certain users being targeted by links in spearphishing emails to adversary controlled sites used to exploit the web browser. These often do not require an action by the user for the exploit to be executed.
### Office Applications
Common office and productivity applications such as Microsoft Office are also targeted through Phishing. Malicious files will be transmitted directly as attachments or through links to download them. These require the user to open the document or file for the exploit to run.
### Common Third-party Applications
Other applications that are commonly seen or are part of the software deployed in a target network may also be used for exploitation. Applications such as Adobe Reader and Flash, which are common in enterprise environments, have been routinely targeted by adversaries attempting to gain access to systems. Depending on the software and nature of the vulnerability, some may be exploited in the browser or require the user to open a file. For instance, some Flash exploits have been delivered as objects within Microsoft Office documents.
Adversaries may exploit software vulnerabilities in client applications to execute code. Vulnerabilities can exist in software due to unsecure coding practices that can lead to unanticipated behavior. Adversaries can take advantage of certain vulnerabilities through targeted exploitation for the purpose of arbitrary code execution. Oftentimes the most valuable exploits to an offensive toolkit are those that can be used to obtain code execution on a remote system because they can be used to gain access to that system. Users will expect to see files related to the applications they commonly used to do work, so they are a useful target for exploit research and development because of their high utility.
Several types exist:
### Browser-based Exploitation
Web browsers are a common target through Drive-by Compromise and Spearphishing Link. Endpoint systems may be compromised through normal web browsing or from certain users being targeted by links in spearphishing emails to adversary controlled sites used to exploit the web browser. These often do not require an action by the user for the exploit to be executed.
### Office Applications
Common office and productivity applications such as Microsoft Office are also targeted through Phishing. Malicious files will be transmitted directly as attachments or through links to download them. These require the user to open the document or file for the exploit to run.
### Common Third-party Applications
Other applications that are commonly seen or are part of the software deployed in a target network may also be used for exploitation. Applications such as Adobe Reader and Flash, which are common in enterprise environments, have been routinely targeted by adversaries attempting to gain access to systems. Depending on the software and nature of the vulnerability, some may be exploited in the browser or require the user to open a file. For instance, some Flash exploits have been delivered as objects within Microsoft Office documents.
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