PUP.Optional.GoMusix

Short bio

PUP.Optional.GoMusix is the detection for a Chrome extension called MusicBoxSearch that hijacks the new tab and search results. This  PUP is a hijacker and part of a family of similar hijackers sometimes referred to as BLPSearch, because of the name of their default search keyword, but in this extensions case the keyword is MusicBox.

Symptoms

Users could notice their default search engine has changed to Yahoo and the presence of a new extension, visible in the Chrome menu-bar and the list of extensions.

Chrome extension

the MusicBox Search Chrome extension

icons

icon

search settings hijacked

the PUP takes over the Search engine settings oof Chrome

Source and type of infection

There are basically two ways to get this Chrome extension. One method is from the webstore. The other is by installing the extensions from sites pointed to by ad-rotators. These sites usually also offer a Firefox add-on if you happen to visit them using the Firefox browser.

webstore

also available in the webstore

website

firefox extension

Aftermath

Users that had their browsers hijacked should have a look at our Restore Browser page to see if additional measures are needed.

Protection

Malwarebytes blocks the websites that push these extension and the domains that belong to the hijackers.

website block

Malwarebytes blocks the site that pushes the extension

domain block

Malwarebytes blocks the site that the extension contacts for “search results”

Remediation

Our program Malwarebytes can detect and remove this potentially unwanted program without further user interaction.

  1. Please download Malwarebytes to your desktop.
  2. Double-click mb3-setup-consumer-{version}.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  3. Then click Finish.
  4. Once the program has fully updated, select Scan Now on the Dashboard. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
  5. If another update of the definitions is available, it will be implemented before the rest of the scanning procedure.
  6. When the scan is complete, make sure that all Threats are selected, and click Remove Selected.
  7. Restart your computer when prompted to do so.

 

 

Malwarebytes removal log

A Malwarebytes log of removal will look similar to this:

Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com

-Log Details-
Scan Date: 2/6/18
Scan Time: 1:10 PM
Log File: c1eff460-0b36-11e8-9439-080027750297.json
Administrator: Yes

-Software Information-
Version: 3.3.1.2183
Components Version: 1.0.262
Update Package Version: 1.0.3881
License: Premium

-System Information-
OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: {computername}\{username}

-Scan Summary-
Scan Type: Threat Scan
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 241535
Threats Detected: 52
Threats Quarantined: 52
Time Elapsed: 2 min, 29 sec

-Scan Options-
Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Disabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Detect
PUM: Detect

-Scan Details-
Process: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Module: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Key: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Value: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder: 12
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\js\official\onesignal, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\images\rateshare, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\js\official, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\css\fonts, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\_metadata, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\vertical, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\images, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\css, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\js, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\DEFAULT\EXTENSIONS\GMCOGIOMGBBNMABKNLDEIKBKNAPOLPDE, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881

File: 39
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Preferences, Replaced, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\000003.log, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\CURRENT, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\LOCK, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\LOG, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\MANIFEST-000001, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\DEFAULT\EXTENSIONS\GMCOGIOMGBBNMABKNLDEIKBKNAPOLPDE\1.0.0_0\MANIFEST.JSON, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\css\fonts\material-icons.css, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\css\fonts\MaterialIcons-Regular.eot, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\css\fonts\MaterialIcons-Regular.ijmap, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\css\fonts\MaterialIcons-Regular.svg, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\css\fonts\MaterialIcons-Regular.ttf, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\css\fonts\MaterialIcons-Regular.woff, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\css\fonts\MaterialIcons-Regular.woff2, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\css\fonts\RobotoCondensed-Light.ttf, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\css\fonts\RobotoCondensed-Regular.ttf, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\css\style.css, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\images\rateshare\close.png, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\images\rateshare\rate.jpg, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\images\rateshare\rate1.png, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\images\rateshare\share.jpg, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\images\rateshare\share1.png, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\images\icon128.png, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\images\icon16.png, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\images\icon38.png, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\js\official\onesignal\onesignal.js, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\js\official\bootstrap.min.js, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\js\official\jquery.min.js, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\js\official\material.min.js, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\js\base.js, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\js\init.js, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\js\main.js, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\vertical\440×280.jpg, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\vertical\init.js, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\vertical\pop.js, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\_metadata\computed_hashes.json, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\_metadata\verified_contents.json, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881
PUP.Optional.GoMusix.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde\1.0.0_0\popup.html, Quarantined, [8314], [450916],1.0.3881

Physical Sector: 0
(No malicious items detected)

(end)

Add an exclusion

Should users wish to keep it, they can add the detections to the exclusions list. Here’s how to do it.

The Exclusions tab includes a list of items to be excluded from scans. The items may include files, folders, websites, or applications that connect to the Internet, as well as previously detected exploits.

To access the exclusions in Malwarebytes:

  • Click on the Settings tab in the left pane.
  • Click on the Exclusions tab.
  • Click the Add Exclusion button.
  • Select the exclusion type Exclude a File or Folder and use the Browse button to select the main folder for the software that you wish to keep.
  • If you want to allow the program to connect to the internet, add an exclusion of the type Exclude a Website and enter the URL of the website the program contacts.

Traces/IOCs

Possible signs in a FRST log:

CHR DefaultSearchURL: Default -> hxxp://music.eanswers.com/go/?category=web&s=21ds&vert=music&q={searchTerms}
CHR DefaultSearchKeyword: Default -> MusicBox
CHR DefaultSuggestURL: Default -> hxxp://sug.eanswers.com/search/index_sg.php?q={searchTerms}
CHR Extension: (MusicBox Search) - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde [2018-02-06]

Domains:
superappbox.com
myfriendlyappz.com
eanswers.com

Chrome extension ID:
gmcogiomgbbnmabknldeikbknapolpde

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