Browser Hijack / Redirect That Won't Die

Discussion in 'Malware Help - MG (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by indyattic, Dec 13, 2010.

  1. indyattic

    indyattic Corporal

    Hi guys - Not sure how, but I picked up a browser hijack / redirect (not sure if there's a difference) that I can't seem to get rid of. I ran everything, and am attaching files.

    A couple of things:

    - I could not update Java. I got a message that read "bin\awt.dll : old file not found. However, a file of the same name was found. No updates done since file contents do not match."

    - I am repeatedly getting a Windows message that says "Host process For Windows Stopped Working" followed by a plea for me to check for updates. It looks legit, but I don't need any updates.

    - MGTools crashed the computer. I put the message and crash logs in the attached zip file. If you don't need them - sorry for the confusion.

    - I ran MGTools again, no problem.

    Basically, my symptoms are that when I click a link, I get redirected to a different site, but not always the same site. Also, sometimes I get notified that I've won a WalMart gift card when I open Firefox, but not always. Explorer also redirects, but I don't use it enough to know if I'm getting the WalMart winner pop-up.

    Not sure where I got it - maybe a Firefox add-on that wasn't approved. Other than a Steam game, that's the only thing I remember downloading. I do share this computer, so it is possible he's fibbing about not downloading anything. I ran CCleaner on both accounts.

    It isn't doing it right now, but...I thought it was gone before. I ran the procedures a couple of days ago, and MalWare Bytes found 3 things. I cleaned them, and thought I was ok. Then it started happening again, and this time MalWare Bytes didn't find anything.

    Thanks in advance for your help.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. dr.moriarty

    dr.moriarty Malware Super Sleuth Staff Member

    Hello, indyattic

    I am currently reviewing your logs and will get back to you with instructions as soon as possible.

    dr.m
     
  3. indyattic

    indyattic Corporal

    Thanks Dr M. I was reading other people's threads, and wanted to say that it does do this in Safe Mode.

    It is not gone - it is indeed still here.
     
  4. dr.moriarty

    dr.moriarty Malware Super Sleuth Staff Member

    Let's start with this, indyattic.

    Other than the tools our guide instructed you to save there, I strongly recommend that you clean up this account's Desktop immediately leaving only shortcut links. [ C:\Users\Mom\Desktop ] Do not store downloads, exe files, iso files....etc on your Desktop. First it is not a safe place to keep them (i.e., you may loose them due to malware, and a cluttered Desktop is an easy hiding place for malware), and last but not least - it can have an effect on your PCs performance.

    Question: What can you tell me about these files?
    c:\windows\DUMPacb2.tmp
    C:\Windows\DUMP52ef.tmp

    Step 1:
    Please download the TDSS Rootkit Removing Tool (TDSSKiller.exe) and save it to your Desktop. <-Important!!!

    Be sure to download TDSSKiller.exe (v2.4.0.0) from Kaspersky's website and not TDSSKiller.zip which appears to be an older version 2.3.2.2 of the tool.

    • Double-click on TDSSKiller.exe to run the tool for known TDSS variants.
      Vista/Windows 7 users right-click and select Run As Administrator.
    • If TDSSKiller does not run, try renaming it.
    • To do this, right-click on TDSSKiller.exe, select Rename and give it a random name with the .com file extension (i.e. 123abc.com). If you do not see the file extension, please refer to How to change the file extension.
    • Click the Start Scan button.
    • Do not use the computer during the scan
    • If the scan completes with nothing found, click Close to exit.
    • If malicious objects are found, they will show in the Scan results - Select action for found objects and offer three options.
    • Ensure Cure (default) is selected, then click Continue > Reboot now to finish the cleaning process.
    • A log file named TDSSKiller_version_date_time_log.txt (i.e. TDSSKiller.2.4.0.0_27.07.2010_14.17.05_log.txt) will be created and saved to the root directory ( usually Local Disk C ).
    • Attach this log to your next message

    Step 2:
    Please look in Add/Remove Programs (Programs and Features if using Vista or Windows 7) for the following and uninstall if found. If you get any errors just make a note and continue on.
    Please disable all anti-virus and anti-spyware programs while we do the following (re-enable when you are finished):

    Step 3:
    Now we need to use ComboFix.
    • Make sure that combofix.exe that you downloaded while doing the READ & RUN ME is on your Desktop but Do not run it!
      • If it is not on your Desktop, the below will not work.
    • Make sure you have shut down all protection software (antivirus, antispyware, firewall...etc) programs so they do not interfere with the running of ComboFix. *Remember to re-start them before coming back online.
    • If ComboFix tells you it needs to update to a new version, make sure you allow it to update.
    • Open Notepad and copy/paste the text inside of the below code box into it (make sure you scroll all the way down in the code box to get all lines selected ):
    • Save the above as CFscript.txt and make sure you save it to the same location (should be on your Desktop) as ComboFix.exe
    • At this point, you MUST EXIT ALL BROWSERS NOW before continuing!
    • You should have both the ComboFix.exe and CFScript.txt icons on your Desktop.
      If it asks you to overide the previous file with the same name, click YES.
    • Now use your mouse to drag CFscript.txt on top of ComboFix.exe
      [​IMG]
    • Follow the prompts.
    • When it finishes, a log will be produced named c:\combofix.txt
    • I will ask for this log below
    Note:
    Do not mouseclick combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.


    Step 4:
    Delete all files and subfolders in the below folders except ones from the current date (Windows will not let you delete the files from the current day).
    Step 5:
    Open CCleaner - select "Cleaner" > "Run Cleaner" <---use this function ONLY!

    Step 6:
    Now install the latest Sun Java Runtime Environment

    Step 7:
    Then run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista or Windows 7, use right-click and select Run As Administrator).

    Please attach the below logs to your next reply:
    • C:\MGlogs.zip
    • TDSSKiller log.txt

    * Make sure you tell me if you had any problems running this procedure; and answer this - "What malware problems are you still experiencing?"

    dr.m
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 14, 2010
  5. indyattic

    indyattic Corporal



    I did clean it off. THere is a file, desktop.ini, that seems to be a hidden file. The icon is transparent. Should it stay, should I move it, or is it a stray?
    No idea. Deleted them.


    Step 1:
    Please download the TDSS Rootkit Removing Tool (TDSSKiller.exe) .......
    [*]Attach this log to your next message
    [/quote]

    Ran, found something - I assume it will be in the log.

    Yes, that worked.

    It stalled the first time. It said it was trying to create a restore point, but never progressed. I rebooted and it went fine the second time.
    Iobit will unlock them and delete them though. :)



    No problem.

    Check.
    Check.
    I don't think I'm having any problems now. After I ran CCleaner, nothing would open. I'd get error messages saying that the program required was marked for deletion, but a reboot fixed that.

    I think I'm all set. Unless I hear otherwise, I'll be done in this thread. I would appreciate any thoughts about where this came from. I have a firewall, an anti-virus, plus a couple of cleaners that run. I can't believe something got through my defenses. :(

    Words can't express how much I appreciate you and the others who do this for people like me. Thank you so much.:heart
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Dec 14, 2010
  6. dr.moriarty

    dr.moriarty Malware Super Sleuth Staff Member

    :)

    Your logs are clean.
    This file is always there - only seen when systems are set to show hidden files, folders, and file extensions as instructed in the READ & RUN ME First Guide - Step 4.
    Rootkits spread through social engineering tools like IM or other rich content files like PDF documents etc.
    Your post of "Thanks!" was very kind and gracious. You're quite welcome!
    ----------------------------------------------------------------

    ** OPTIONAL: You may want to review this to de-select some un-needed applications and processes from loading at startup. *Please create a new thread in our Software Forum if you wish help determining what isn't needed.

    Dealing with Startup Processes


    *If you are not having any other malware problems, it is time to do our final steps:
    1. We recommend you keep SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for scanning/removal of malware. Unless you purchase them, they provide no protection. They do not use any significant amount of resources ( except a little disk space ) until you run a scan.
    2. If we had you use ComboFix, uninstall ComboFix (This uninstall will only work as written if you installed ComboFix on your Desktop like we requested.)
      • Click START then RUN and enter the below into the run box and then click OK. Note the quotes are required
      • "%userprofile%\Desktop\combofix" /uninstall
        • Notes: The space between the combofix" and the /uninstall, it must be there.
        • This will uninstall ComboFix and also reset hidden files and folders settings back to Windows defaults.
    3. Go back to step 6 of the READ ME and re-enable your Disk Emulation software with Defogger if you had disabled it.
    4. Any other miscellaneous tools we may have had you install or download can be uninstalled and deleted.
    5. If we had you download any registry patches like fixme.reg or fixWLK.reg (or any others), you can delete these files now.
    6. If running Vista, it is time to make sure you have re-enabled UAC by double clicking on the C:\MGtools\enableUAC.reg file and allowing it to be added to the registry.
    7. Go to Add/Remove programs (Programs and Features if using Vista or Windows 7) and uninstall HijackThis.
    8. Goto the C:\MGtools folder and find the MGclean.bat file. Double click on this file to run this cleanup program that will remove files and folders
      related to MGtools and some other items from our cleaning procedures.
    9. If you are running Win 7, Vista, Windows XP or Windows ME, do the below:
      • Refer to the cleaning procedures pointed to by step 7 of the READ ME
        for your Window version and see the instructions to Disable System Restore which will flush your Restore Points.
      • Then reboot and Enable System Restore to create a new clean Restore Point.
    10. After doing the above, you should work through the below link:
    Safe surfing! [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2010
  7. indyattic

    indyattic Corporal

    So much for my elegant exit. :)

    When uninstalling Combofix, Windows Explorer keeps crashing as I am typing in the "run" box.

    "%userprofile%\ is as far as I get. It crashes right there.
     
  8. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Just manually delete them.
     
  9. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Should not really be necessary because MGclean.bat will remove it. ;)
     

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