PUP.HiddenStart.A
The detection of PUP.HiddenStart.A on your system indicates the presence of a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that may be causing issues with your computer's performance and security. It is essential to understand the nature of this threat and take appropriate steps to remove it and prevent future infections.
Table of Contents
What Is PUP.HiddenStart.A?
PUP.HiddenStart.A is a type of malware that is classified as a potentially unwanted program. This means that while it may not be as harmful as other types of malware, such as viruses or Trojans, it can still cause problems with your system and compromise your privacy. PUPs are often installed unintentionally, and they can be difficult to remove without the right tools and knowledge.
How PUP.HiddenStart.A Operates
PUP.HiddenStart.A, like other PUPs, operates by installing itself on your system and then executing its payload. This can happen through various means, such as downloading and installing software from untrusted sources, clicking on suspicious links or advertisements, or opening malicious email attachments. Once installed, PUP.HiddenStart.A can collect data about your browsing habits, search history, and other personal information, which can be used for targeted advertising or other malicious purposes.
Symptoms of Infection
If your system is infected with PUP.HiddenStart.A, you may notice several symptoms, including slow system performance, unwanted pop-ups and advertisements, and changes to your browser settings or homepage. You may also experience issues with your system's stability, such as crashes or freezes, and you may notice that your search results are being redirected to suspicious websites. Additionally, you may see unfamiliar programs or icons on your system, which can be a sign of a PUP infection.
- Unwanted changes to your browser settings or homepage
- Pop-ups and advertisements that you cannot close
- Slow system performance or crashes
- Unfamiliar programs or icons on your system
- Search results being redirected to suspicious websites
How to Remove PUP.HiddenStart.A
- Boot your system in Safe Mode with Networking to prevent PUP.HiddenStart.A from loading and to allow you to download and install removal tools.
- Download and install a reputable anti-malware tool, such as SpyHunter, and perform a full scan of your system to detect and remove PUP.HiddenStart.A and any other malware that may be present.
- Uninstall any suspicious programs that you have installed recently, as they may be related to the PUP infection.
- Reset your browser settings to their default values, including Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, to remove any changes made by PUP.HiddenStart.A.
- Reboot your system and perform another scan with your anti-malware tool to ensure that PUP.HiddenStart.A has been completely removed.
Conclusion
Removing PUP.HiddenStart.A from your system requires careful attention to detail and the right tools. By following the steps outlined above, you can effectively remove this potentially unwanted program and prevent future infections. It is essential to be vigilant when downloading and installing software, and to always use reputable sources and tools to protect your system and your personal data. Remember to stay informed about the latest malware threats and to take proactive steps to secure your system and your online activities.
Analysis Report
General information
| Family Name: | PUP.HiddenStart.A |
|---|---|
| Signature status: | No Signature |
Known Samples
Known Samples
This section lists other file samples believed to be associated with this family.|
MD5:
a55723a77a061f2b97d165422a123f00
SHA1:
90bb15424460d80e975a6fa3bf7a8f714e567b9a
SHA256:
BD84021440E6238670DA02B89F640DF15A484EE9FF4D884B5DEE08F0E4BAD906
File Size:
343.57 KB, 343572 bytes
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MD5:
94e1894ff6583997e6d44438458f1975
SHA1:
540577ae8cfeb6ca55735b44efd2d3598cc00998
SHA256:
8BBCCBA63B5137D2602619FE4CE2134EC6C689C82DDB3B39C469CAE5A50A89AE
File Size:
16.79 KB, 16792 bytes
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MD5:
b615cf6a85198c10e1b3ad58e62a9ba8
SHA1:
7c39603c9ee6564d42574aaba0445b80fb5caf8a
SHA256:
17794F9E7DEE958FDC287ED704FC6606269AFD9E15D45C3F2884832446B26AC6
File Size:
122.60 KB, 122598 bytes
|
Windows Portable Executable Attributes
- File doesn't have "Rich" header
- File doesn't have debug information
- File doesn't have exports table
- File doesn't have relocations information
- File doesn't have security information
- File has exports table
- File is 32-bit executable
- File is either console or GUI application
- File is GUI application (IMAGE_SUBSYSTEM_WINDOWS_GUI)
- File is Native application (NOT .NET application)
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- File is not packed
- IMAGE_FILE_DLL is not set inside PE header (Executable)
- IMAGE_FILE_EXECUTABLE_IMAGE is set inside PE header (Executable Image)
File Icons
File Icons
This section displays icon resources found within family samples. Malware often replicates icons commonly associated with legitimate software to mislead users into believing the malware is safe.
Windows PE Version Information
Windows PE Version Information
This section displays values and attributes that have been set in the Windows file version information data structure for samples within this family. To mislead users, malware actors often add fake version information mimicking legitimate software.| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Company Name | NTWind Software |
| File Description | Hidden Start |
| File Version | 2.2.0.0 |
| Internal Name | hstart.exe |
| Legal Copyright | © 2008 NTWind Software |
| Original Filename | hstart.exe |
| Product Name | hstart |
| Product Version | 2.2.0.0 |
Digital Signatures
Digital Signatures
This section lists digital signatures that are attached to samples within this family. When analyzing and verifying digital signatures, it is important to confirm that the signature’s root authority is a well-known and trustworthy entity and that the status of the signature is good. Malware is often signed with non-trustworthy “Self Signed” digital signatures (which can be easily created by a malware author with no verification). Malware may also be signed by legitimate signatures that have an invalid status, and by signatures from questionable root authorities with fake or misleading “Signer” names.| Signer | Root | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander Avdonin | Alexander Avdonin | Hash Mismatch |
File Traits
- x86
Block Information
Block Information
During analysis, EnigmaSoft breaks file samples into logical blocks for classification and comparison with other samples. Blocks can be used to generate malware detection rules and to group file samples into families based on shared source code, functionality and other distinguishing attributes and characteristics. This section lists a summary of this block data, as well as its classification by EnigmaSoft. A visual representation of the block data is also displayed, where available.| Total Blocks: | 445 |
|---|---|
| Potentially Malicious Blocks: | 0 |
| Whitelisted Blocks: | 438 |
| Unknown Blocks: | 7 |
Visual Map
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0 - Probable Safe Block
? - Unknown Block
x - Potentially Malicious Block
? - Unknown Block
x - Potentially Malicious Block
Similar Families
Similar Families
This section lists other families that share similarities with this family, based on EnigmaSoft’s analysis. Many malware families are created from the same malware toolkits and use the same packing and encryption techniques but uniquely extend functionality. Similar families may also share source code, attributes, icons, subcomponents, compromised and/or invalid digital signatures, and network characteristics. Researchers leverage these similarities to rapidly and effectively triage file samples and extend malware detection rules.- HiddenStart.A
- Trojan.Downloader.Gen.M
Files Modified
Files Modified
This section lists files that were created, modified, moved and/or deleted by samples in this family. File system activity can provide valuable insight into how malware functions on the operating system.| File | Attributes |
|---|---|
| \device\namedpipe | Generic Read,Write Attributes |
| \device\namedpipe | Generic Write,Read Attributes |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\data\status_log.txt | Generic Read,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\data\status_log.txt | Generic Write,Read Attributes |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0 | Synchronize,Write Attributes |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\__tmp_rar_sfx_access_check_2231218 | Generic Read,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\__tmp_rar_sfx_access_check_3043046 | Generic Read,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\data | Generic Write,Read Attributes |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\data | Synchronize,Write Attributes |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\data\kmsserver | Generic Write,Read Attributes |
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| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\data\kmsserver | Synchronize,Write Attributes |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\data\kmsserver\install.cmd | Generic Read,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\data\kmsserver\install.cmd | Synchronize,Write Attributes |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\data\kmsserver\kmsserver.exe | Generic Read,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\data\kmsserver\kmsserver.exe | Synchronize,Write Attributes |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\data\kmsserver\server.exe | Generic Read,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\data\kmsserver\server.exe | Synchronize,Write Attributes |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\data\off10act.cmd | Generic Read,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\data\off10act.cmd | Synchronize,Write Attributes |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\data\off10act.lnk | Generic Read,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\data\off10act.lnk | Synchronize,Write Attributes |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\data\off10hs.exe | Generic Read,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\data\off10hs.exe | Synchronize,Write Attributes |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\hstart.exe | Generic Read,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\hstart.exe | Synchronize,Write Attributes |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\install.cmd | Generic Read,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\install.cmd | Synchronize,Write Attributes |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\office2010kmsactivator.cmd | Generic Read,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\office2010kmsactivator.cmd | Synchronize,Write Attributes |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\vtk.vbs | Generic Read,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\vtk.vbs | Synchronize,Write Attributes |
Registry Modifications
Registry Modifications
This section lists registry keys and values that were created, modified and/or deleted by samples in this family. Windows Registry activity can provide valuable insight into malware functionality. Additionally, malware often creates registry values to allow itself to automatically start and indefinitely persist after an initial infection has compromised the system.| Key::Value | Data | API Name |
|---|---|---|
| HKCU\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\internet settings\zonemap::proxybypass | RegNtPreCreateKey | |
| HKCU\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\internet settings\zonemap::intranetname | RegNtPreCreateKey | |
| HKCU\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\internet settings\zonemap::uncasintranet | RegNtPreCreateKey | |
| HKCU\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\internet settings\zonemap::autodetect | RegNtPreCreateKey | |
| HKCU\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\internet settings\zonemap::proxybypass | RegNtPreCreateKey | |
| HKCU\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\internet settings\zonemap::intranetname | RegNtPreCreateKey | |
| HKCU\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\internet settings\zonemap::uncasintranet | RegNtPreCreateKey | |
| HKCU\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\internet settings\zonemap::autodetect | RegNtPreCreateKey | |
| HKLM\system\controlset001\services\bam\state\usersettings\s-1-5-21-3119368278-1123331430-659265220-1001::\device\harddiskvolume2\windows\system32\conhost.exe | R؍���� | RegNtPreCreateKey |
| HKLM\system\controlset001\services\bam\state\usersettings\s-1-5-21-3119368278-1123331430-659265220-1001::\device\harddiskvolume2\windows\system32\conhost.exe | 䪯없묯ǜ | RegNtPreCreateKey |
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| HKCU\local settings\muicache\1b\52c64b7e::@c:\windows\system32\ndfapi.dll,-40001 | Windows Network Diagnostics | RegNtPreCreateKey |
Windows API Usage
Windows API Usage
This section lists Windows API calls that are used by the samples in this family. Windows API usage analysis is a valuable tool that can help identify malicious activity, such as keylogging, security privilege escalation, data encryption, data exfiltration, interference with antivirus software, and network request manipulation.| Category | API |
|---|---|
| Keyboard Access |
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| Process Manipulation Evasion |
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| Process Shell Execute |
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| Syscall Use |
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| Anti Debug |
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| User Data Access |
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Shell Command Execution
Shell Command Execution
This section lists Windows shell commands that are run by the samples in this family. Windows Shell commands are often leveraged by malware for nefarious purposes and can be used to elevate security privileges, download and launch other malware, exploit vulnerabilities, collect and exfiltrate data, and hide malicious activity.
(NULL) C:\Users\Undesyfg\AppData\Local\Temp\RarSFX0\Office2010KmsActivator.cmd
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(NULL) C:\Users\Jtetgngb\AppData\Local\Temp\RarSFX0\Install.cmd
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WriteConsole: Invalid paramete
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WriteConsole:
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WriteConsole: C:\Users\Jtetgng
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WriteConsole: CLS
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C:\Users\Jtetgngb\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\hstart.exe "C:\Users\Jtetgngb\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\hstart" /MSG="Creating Activation report
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WriteConsole: The system canno
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C:\WINDOWS\system32\reg.exe reg QUERY "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v "EnableLUA"
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C:\WINDOWS\system32\findstr.exe findstr /i "0x1"
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C:\Users\Jtetgngb\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\hstart.exe "C:\Users\Jtetgngb\appdata\local\temp\rarsfx0\hstart" /MSG="Activation report completed
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