Adware:W32/Boran

Classification

Summary

This program delivers advertising content to the user. It is usually annoying but harmless, unless it is combined with spyware or trackware.

Removal

Based on the settings of your F-Secure security product, it may block the file from running, move it to the quarantine where it cannot spread or cause harm, or ask you to select an action.

A False Positive is when a file is incorrectly detected as harmful, usually because its code or behavior resembles known harmful programs. A False Positive will usually be fixed in a subsequent database update without any action needed on your part. If you wish, you may also:

Check for the latest database updates
First check if your F-Secure security program is using the latest updates, then try scanning the file again.
Submit a sample
After checking, if you still believe the file is incorrectly detected, you can submit a sample of it for re-analysis.
Note: If the file was moved to quarantine, you need to collect the file from quarantine before you can submit it.
Exclude a file from further scanning
If you are certain that the file is safe and want to continue using it, you can exclude it from further scanning by the F-Secure security product.
Note: You need administrative rights to change the settings.

Technical Details

Adware:W32/Boran is an adware program that acts as a Browser Helper Object (BHO). While active, the program displays Chinese-language advertising contents.

Installation

Boran software is usually distributed bundled with other Chinese adware/spyware program, such as& MMSAssist, Webwork or Vision Communicate "Cai Xin Fa Song" (Pinyin).

Once downloaded onto the system, Boran software must be executed manually. Upon execution, it drops executable and configuration files at:

C:\Program Files\MMSAssist\mms.ini
C:\Program Files\MMSAssist\Mmsass~1.dll

It may also create one or more of the following files:

alsmt.exe
Albus.SYS
Albus.DAT

Some variants may drop multiple component files and configuration files using a different path name and file name, for example:

C:\Program Files\winp\actv.ini
C:\Program Files\winp\stdi.ini
C:\Program Files\winp\stdl.ini
C:\Program Files\winp\upilex.ini
C:\Program Files\winp\upme.ini
C:\Program Files\winp\code.dll
C:\Program Files\winp\play.dll
C:\Program Files\winp\snet.dll
C:\Program Files\winp\vote.dll
C:\Program Files\yrpt\cvtx.ini
C:\Program Files\yrpt\xqos.ini
C:\Program Files\yrpt\gzxb.ini
C:\Program Files\yrpt\tmko.ini
C:\Program Files\yrpt\ibzd.dll
C:\Program Files\yrpt\lecg.dll
C:\Program Files\yrpt\ngei.dll
C:\Program Files\yrpt\qjhl.dll
C:\Program Files\yrpt\exvz.dll

Activity

While active, the adware checks Internet availability by contacting:

active.borlander.com.cn.

It then downloads advertising contents from:

www.borlander.com.cn
www.borlander.cn.

And downloads configuration files and the latest cabinet files (CAB) by using the following URL pattern:

https://update.borlander.cn/[..]/mmsas.cab
https://update.borlander.cn/[..]/updateex.ini
https://update.borlander.cn/[..]/updvsnex.ini
https://www.borlander.cn/[..]/mms.ini

Registry

This adware installs as a service by adding the following registry subkey:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Security]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\[random name]] Type= Start= ErrorControl= ImagePath="C:\WINDOWS\System32\rundll32.exe [Path to the component DLL file],Service -s" DisplayName=[random name]

The ImagePath's value C:\WINDOWS\System32\rundll32.exe [Path to the component DLL file],Service -sindicates that the adware will be started automatically as a background process when Windows is started.

It may also create one or more of the following registery subkeys:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MMSBho.MMSAssist]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MMSBho.MMSAssist.1]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MMSBho.MMSAssistMenu]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MMSBho.MMSAssistMenu.1]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{29875208-C411-4BBC-A537-4928Ba1E784A}]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{41DDECD2-1991-48C2-92C5-3698F3A6C607}]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{6671A431-5C3D-463d-A7CF-5587F9B7E191}]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MenuExt\ >>Cai Xin Fa Song<<
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\MMSBho.MMSAssist]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\MMSBho.MMSAssist.1]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\MMSBho.MMSAssistMenu]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\MMSBho.MMSAssistMenu.1]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Albus]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\Albus]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\VisionService]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\CLSID\{29875208-C411-4BBC-A537-4928Ba1E784A}]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\CLSID\{41DDECD2-1991-48C2-92C5-3698F3A6C607}]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\CLSID\{6671A431-5C3D-463d-A7CF-5587F9B7E191}]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{6671A431-5C3D-463d-A7CF-5587F9B7E191}]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\MMSAssist]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Vision Communicate]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{0C5C8E9A-48BA-4d26-AA01-2E1D4DC14718}]