PUP.Optional.DriverMax

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Short bio

PUP.Optional.DriverMax is Malwarebytes’ detection name for a potentially unwanted program, a so-called “driver updater and system optimizer” dubbed DriverMax which is published by Innovative Solutions for Windows systems.

GUI DriverMax

Symptoms

Users of affected systems may have seen these warnings during install:

installing DriverMax
EULA DriverMax

Drivermax uses several Scheduled Tasks to gain persistence:

Scheduled Tasks DriverMax

You may see this entry in the list of installed Programs and Features:

installed DriverMax

Type and source of the infection

PUP.Optional.DriverMax is a driver updater and system optimizer. These so-called “system optimizers” use intentional false positives to convince users that their systems have problems. Then they try to sell you their software, claiming it will remove these problems. PUP.Optional.DriverMax is usually installed by users themselves and downloaded from their website.

website drivermax.com

Protection

block DriverMax

Malwarebytes blocks PUP.Optional.DriverMax

Remediation

Malwarebytes can detect and remove PUP.Optional.DriverMax without further user interaction.

  1. Please download Malwarebytes to your desktop.
  2. Double-click MBSetup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  3. When your Malwarebytes for Windows installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen.
  4. Click on the Get started button.
  5. Click Scan to start a Threat Scan.
  6. Click Quarantine to remove the found threats.
  7. Reboot the system if prompted to complete the removal process.

Malwarebytes removal log

A Malwarebytes log of removal will look similar to this: 

Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com
-Log Details-
Scan Date: 4/21/20
Scan Time: 8:52 AM
Log File: ae9f7396-839c-11ea-814a-00ffdcc6fdfc.json

-Software Information-
Version: 4.1.0.56
Components Version: 1.0.875
Update Package Version: 1.0.22728
License: Premium

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

-Scan Summary-
Scan Type: Threat Scan
Scan Initiated By: Manual
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 233595
Threats Detected: 39
Threats Quarantined: 38
Time Elapsed: 2 min, 58 sec

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

-Scan Details-
Process: 2
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS\DRIVERMAX\DRIVERMAX.EXE, Quarantined, 3529, 812463, , , , 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS\DRIVERMAX\INNOSTP.EXE, Quarantined, 3529, 812207, , , , 

Module: 3
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS\DRIVERMAX\SYNC.DLL, Quarantined, 3529, 812207, , , , 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS\DRIVERMAX\DRIVERMAX.EXE, Quarantined, 3529, 812463, , , , 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS\DRIVERMAX\INNOSTP.EXE, Quarantined, 3529, 812207, , , , 

Registry Key: 18
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, HKCU\SOFTWARE\INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS\DriverMax, Quarantined, 3529, 811919, 1.0.22728, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\.dmx-info, Quarantined, 3529, 811914, 1.0.22728, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\dmx-info-file, Quarantined, 3529, 811915, 1.0.22728, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\innodmx, Quarantined, 3529, 811916, 1.0.22728, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS\DriverMax, Quarantined, 3529, 811917, 1.0.22728, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\DMX5_is1, Quarantined, 3529, 811918, 1.0.22728, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TREE\DriverMax Notification, Quarantined, 3529, 812463, , , , 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{759421B4-C005-425F-8C39-96C9DE8B2A78}, Quarantined, 3529, 812463, , , , 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\LOGON\{759421B4-C005-425F-8C39-96C9DE8B2A78}, Quarantined, 3529, 812463, , , , 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TREE\DriverMaxAgent, Quarantined, 3529, 812463, , , , 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{2A39C8B1-3D6E-4F75-B429-1FFF435706FB}, Quarantined, 3529, 812463, , , , 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\LOGON\{2A39C8B1-3D6E-4F75-B429-1FFF435706FB}, Quarantined, 3529, 812463, , , , 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TREE\DriverMaxWelcome, Quarantined, 3529, 812463, , , , 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{9422F1DC-731E-4BFD-8633-3606B5836557}, Quarantined, 3529, 812463, , , , 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\PLAIN\{9422F1DC-731E-4BFD-8633-3606B5836557}, Quarantined, 3529, 812463, , , , 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TREE\Application Starter - f1375f225883e83d52e8db9690775c3c, Quarantined, 3529, 812207, , , , 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{5507E162-094F-46BB-A077-3F096C508D27}, Quarantined, 3529, 812207, , , , 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\LOGON\{5507E162-094F-46BB-A077-3F096C508D27}, Quarantined, 3529, 812207, , , , 

Registry Value: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder: 4
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, C:\PROGRAMDATA\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\DRIVERMAX, Quarantined, 3529, 811906, 1.0.22728, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS\DRIVERMAX, Removal Failed, 3529, 812207, 1.0.22728, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS\DRIVERMAX, Quarantined, 3529, 812461, 1.0.22728, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\ROAMING\INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS\DRIVERMAX, Quarantined, 3529, 812462, 1.0.22728, , ame, 

File: 12
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, C:\USERS\{username}\DESKTOP\DRIVERMAX.LNK, Quarantined, 3529, 811910, 1.0.22728, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\DriverMax\DriverMax.lnk, Quarantined, 3529, 811906, , , , 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\DriverMax\Uninstall DriverMax.lnk, Quarantined, 3529, 811906, , , , 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS\DRIVERMAX\SYNC.DLL, Quarantined, 3529, 812207, 1.0.22728, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\TASKS\DriverMax Notification, Quarantined, 3529, 812463, , , , 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\TASKS\DriverMaxAgent, Quarantined, 3529, 812463, , , , 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\TASKS\DriverMaxWelcome, Quarantined, 3529, 812463, , , , 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\Innovative Solutions\DriverMax\DriverMax.lnk, Quarantined, 3529, 812463, , , , 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS\DRIVERMAX\DRIVERMAX.EXE, Quarantined, 3529, 812463, 1.0.22728, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\TASKS\Application Starter - f1375f225883e83d52e8db9690775c3c, Quarantined, 3529, 812207, , , , 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS\DRIVERMAX\INNOSTP.EXE, Quarantined, 3529, 812207, 1.0.22728, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.DriverMax, C:\USERS\{username}\DESKTOP\DRIVERMAX.EXE, Quarantined, 3529, 812463, 1.0.22728, , ame, 

Physical Sector: 0
(No malicious items detected)

WMI: 0
(No malicious items detected)


(end)

Add an exclusion

Should users wish to keep this program and exclude it from being detected in future scans, they can add the program to the exclusions list. Here’s how to do it.

  • Open Malwarebytes for Windows.
  • Click the Detection History
  • Click the Allow List
  • To add an item to the Allow List, click Add.
  • Select the exclusion type Allow a file or folder and use the Select a folder button to select the main folder for the software that you wish to keep.
  • Repeat this for any secondary files or folder(s) that belong to the software.

If you want to allow the program to connect to the Internet, for example to fetch updates, also add an exclusion of the type Allow an application to connect to the internet and use the Browse button to select the file you wish to grant access.

Traces/IOCs

You may see these entries in FRST logs: 

(Innovative Solutions Grup SRL -> Innovative Solutions) C:\Program Files (x86)\Innovative Solutions\DriverMax\drivermax.exe
(Innovative Solutions Grup SRL -> Innovative Solutions) C:\Program Files (x86)\Innovative Solutions\DriverMax\innostp.exe
HKCU\...\Run: [DriverMax_RESTART] => [X]
Task: {2A39C8B1-3D6E-4F75-B429-1FFF435706FB} - System32\Tasks\DriverMaxAgent => C:\Program Files (x86)\Innovative Solutions\DriverMax\drivermax.exe [8167576 2019-12-06] (Innovative Solutions Grup SRL -> Innovative Solutions)
Task: {5507E162-094F-46BB-A077-3F096C508D27} - System32\Tasks\Application Starter - f1375f225883e83d52e8db9690775c3c => C:\Program Files (x86)\Innovative Solutions\DriverMax\innostp.exe [1066648 2019-12-06] (Innovative Solutions Grup SRL -> Innovative Solutions)
Task: {759421B4-C005-425F-8C39-96C9DE8B2A78} - System32\Tasks\DriverMax Notification => C:\Program Files (x86)\Innovative Solutions\DriverMax\drivermax.exe [8167576 2019-12-06] (Innovative Solutions Grup SRL -> Innovative Solutions)
Task: {9422F1DC-731E-4BFD-8633-3606B5836557} - System32\Tasks\DriverMaxWelcome => C:\Program Files (x86)\Innovative Solutions\DriverMax\drivermax.exe [8167576 2019-12-06] (Innovative Solutions Grup SRL -> Innovative Solutions)
CHR Notifications: Default -> hxxps://drivermax.os.tc
C:\Windows\system32\Tasks\DriverMaxWelcome
C:\Windows\system32\Tasks\Application Starter - f1375f225883e83d52e8db9690775c3c
C:\Windows\system32\Tasks\DriverMax Notification
C:\Windows\system32\Tasks\DriverMaxAgent
C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\DriverMax.lnk
C:\Users\{username}\My Drivers
C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Innovative Solutions
C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Innovative Solutions
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\DriverMax
C:\Program Files (x86)\Innovative Solutions
C:\My Drivers
DriverMax 11 (HKLM-x32\...\DMX5_is1) (Version: 11.15.0.27 - Innovative Solutions)
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