{
  "family": "shenzhen",
  "sample_count": 3,
  "category": "advanced_threat",
  "description": "Adware:Win32/Shenzhen is an intrusive Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) designed to forcibly alter a user's web browsing experience. It manipulates browser settings to redirect search queries, injects unwanted advertisements into webpages, and tracks user browsing behavior to generate illicit Pay-Per-Click (PPC) revenue for its creators.<br><br><b>Understanding Shenzhen</b><br>To an end-user, Shenzhen manifests as a sudden, unwanted change to their browser's homepage, new tab page, and the appearance of unremovable toolbars or persistent pop-up ads. For a security team, it represents a breakdown in endpoint hygiene and a potential vector for more serious infections via malvertising (malicious advertisements).<br><br><b>Execution and Hijacking Mechanics</b><br>Shenzhen is typically distributed via deceptive software bundles, fake software updates, or malicious browser extensions downloaded from third-party sites (`T1189`). Upon execution, it modifies the Windows Registry (`T1112`) and browser configuration files to enforce its settings (`T1562.001`). It installs persistent browser extensions or Browser Helper Objects (BHOs) (`T1176`) to monitor searches and ensure the hijacking cannot be easily reversed by the user. These extensions locally intercept web traffic to inject sponsored links directly into the DOM of legitimate websites.<br><br><b>Indicators of Compromise & Impact</b><br>The impact is a severely degraded user experience, potential privacy violations (tracking of search queries), and exposure to potentially malicious ads. Host-based IoCs include EDR alerts for modifications to browser shortcut properties, unexpected additions to browser extension directories, or anomalous BHO registrations in the Registry. Network IoCs include DNS queries resolving to adware tracking infrastructure and redirected search traffic containing tracking parameters.",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [],
  "enrichment_level": "expert-seo",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1112",
    "T1176",
    "T1189",
    "T1562.001"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-06-09",
  "mitre_attack_detail": [
    {
      "id": "T1176",
      "name": "Browser Extensions (Installing malicious toolbars/BHOs)",
      "tactic": "Persistence"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1112",
      "name": "Modify Registry (Changing default search/homepage keys)",
      "tactic": "Defense Evasion"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1562.001",
      "name": "Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify Tools (Browser hijacking)",
      "tactic": "Defense Evasion"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1189",
      "name": "Drive-by Compromise",
      "tactic": "Initial Access"
    }
  ],
  "containment_steps": [
    "Remove any unknown or recently installed browser extensions or toolbars from Chrome, Edge, Internet Explorer, and Firefox.",
    "Use the Windows Control Panel to thoroughly uninstall explicitly named adware programs (like Shenzhen or associated bundled software).",
    "Reset all installed web browsers to their default settings to clear out hijacked homepages, search engines, and modified preferences.",
    "Run a thorough scan with an enterprise-grade Adware/PUA removal tool to clean up deep registry persistence mechanisms."
  ],
  "what_to_avoid": [
    "Do not simply change the homepage back manually; if the adware extension or BHO is still present, the changes will revert on the next launch.",
    "Avoid allowing users to download software from unverified third-party portals, as this is the primary vector for browser hijackers."
  ],
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}