Homepage reset, adware preventing me from viewing sites

Welcome to Majorgeeks!

Did you decide to keep Messenger Plus 3 installed even though we highly recommend against using this in step 0 of the READ ME?

Make sure viewing of hidden files is enabled (per the tutorial).
Please bring up Task Manager by hitting CTRL-ALT-DEL and click the Processes tab. Look for the below process(es) and if found, End them:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ebf7aa33.exe
C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\win560.tmp.exe
Run HijackThis and select the following lines but DO NOT CLICK FIX until you exit all browser sessions including the one you are reading in right now:
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = prosearching.com
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = prosearching.com
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,SearchURL = prosearching.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = prosearching.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = prosearching.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = prosearching.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,SearchURL = prosearching.com
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = prosearching.com
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page_bak = prosearching.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = prosearching.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page_bak = prosearching.com
O1 - Hosts: .zdnet.com.com SpySweeperCASS
O1 - Hosts: .zdnet.com.com SpySweeperCASS
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Á³# L"h'þ9Óœð3rÅWC:\Program Files\ISTsvc\istsvc.exe] C:\WINDOWS\xwqlahpt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Á³# K"h'þ9Óœ÷3rÅWC:\Program Files\ISTsvc\istsvc.exe] C:\WINDOWS\xwqlahpt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ebf7aa33.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ebf7aa33.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ebf7aa33.exe] C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Administrator\Local Settings\Application Data\ebf7aa33.exe
O16 - DPF: {D4323BF2-006A-4440-A2F5-27E3E7AB25F8} (Virtools WebPlayer Class) - http://a532.g.akamai.net/f/532/6712/5m/virtools.download.akamai.com/6712/player/install3.5/installer.exe


After clicking Fix, exit HJT.
Boot into safe mode and use Windows Explorer to delete:
C:\WINDOWS\TEMP <--- delete all files and subfolders in this Temp folder
C:\Program Files\ISTsvc <--- the whole folder
C:\WINDOWS\xwqlahpt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ebf7aa33.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Administrator\Local Settings\Application Data\ebf7aa33.exe

If you get an error when deleting a file. Right click on the file and check to see if the read only attribute is checked. If it is, uncheck it and try again. Other wise open Task Manager and kill the process if running then delete the file.

Now if running Win XP goto c:\windows\Prefetch and delete all files in this folder.
Now run Ccleaner (installed while running the READ ME FIRST).

Now we need to Reset Web Settings:

1. If you have an Internet Explorer icon on your Desktop, goto step 2. If not, skip to step 3.
2. Now right click on your desktop Internet Explorer icon and select Properties. Then click the Programs tab and then click "Reset Web Settings". Now go back to the General tab and set your home page address to something useful like www.majorgeeks.com. Click Apply. Click Delete Cookies, Click Delete Files and select Delete all Offline content too, Click OK. When it finishes Click OK. Then skip step 3.
3. If you do not have an Internet Explorer icon on your Desktop, click Start, Control Panel (for some systems it may be Start, Settings, Control Panel), Internet Options, Programs tab and then click "Reset Web Settings". Now go back to the General tab and set your home page address to something useful like www.majorgeeks.com. Click Apply. Click Delete Cookies, Click Delete Files and select Delete all Offline content too, Click OK. When it finishes Click OK.

Now reboot in normal mode and post a new HJT log.

Make sure you tell me how things are working now.

Reminder Note: Once we have determined you are malware free you will need to disable System Restore, reboot, and re-enable system restore per step 1 of the READ & RUN ME. This only applies to if using WinXP or WinMe.

 

It's still running! We will get to it later, but first I want to get a some other info.

Please download ProcessExplorer

• Unzip it to its own folder somewhere you can locate it.
• Now run procexp.exe by double clicking on it.
• Let's configure some options first:
  • Click View and select Show Lower Pane. And where it says "Lower Pane View" make sure DLL's is checked.
  • Now click on iexplore.exe.
  • Now also under the View menu choose "Select columns" and put a check mark on "Image Path".
• Now click on File and then Save As. And save the process list.
• Post it back here as an attachment.

Now run the below procedure and attach the runkeys.txt log.

• Using GetRunKey

 

You have traces of both SpywareQuake and Virtumonde still hiding on your PC.

Let's start with SpywareQuake. Run the below procedure and then attach the requested smitfiles.txt log:

SpywareQuake & SpyFalcon Removal Procedure

After doing the above continue on to the below!

Please download VundoFix.exeto your desktop.

• Double-click VundoFix.exe to run it.
• Put a check next to Run VundoFix as a task.
• You will receive a message saying vundofix will close and re-open in a minute or less. Click OK
• When VundoFix re-opens, right Click inside the listbox (white box) and click add more files
• Copy&Paste the entries below into the top 2 boxes
  • C:\WINDOWS\system32\pmnlk.dll
  • C:\WINDOWS\system32\pmnlk.*
• Click Add Files and Click Close Window
• Click Scan for Vundo button.
• Once it's done scanning, click the Remove Vundo button.
• You will receive a prompt asking if you want to remove the files, click YES
• Once you click yes, your desktop will go blank as it starts removing Vundo.
• When completed, it will prompt that it will shutdown your computer, click OK.
• Turn your computer back on.
• Please attach the C:\vundofix.txt file to your next message

Now get a new ProcessExplorer log just like you did in message number 4.

Question: When you startup your PC, does a Windows Explorer window popup with the C:\windows\system32 folder displayed?

 

This next step should take care of the problem with your system32 folder opening at startup.
Copy the bold text below to notepad. Save it as fixme.reg to your desktop. Be sure the "Save as" type is set to "all files" Once you have saved it double click it and allow it to merge with the registry.

You have a new version of the SpywareQuake infection. It can hide many bad files. The below will help us look for them. It will not delete them, it will just help me find them so I can work up a procedure to delete them.

Now run the below procedure and attach the newfiles.txt log.

Using ShowNew

 

Sorry but I need you to run the below again from scratch. I had to add a few things to the scan to look for more info because of your infection. Please make sure you download the new version of the ShowNew.Zip file because it has changed.

Now run the below procedure and attach the newfiles.txt log.

Using ShowNew

 

Wow the files in your C:\WINDOWS\TEMP folder are multiplying quickly. This is part of your infection. Boot into safe mode and delete all files in the C:\WINDOWS\TEMP folder. The main ones we need to delete are the ones that begin with win and end with anything else. Like:

win12f.tmp Fri Jun 30 2006 10:12:04p A.... 0 0.00 K
win13.tmp Fri Jun 30 2006 7:24:02p A.... 0 0.00 K
win200~1.exe Fri Jun 30 2006 11:50:18p A.... 15,872 15.50 K

There are loads of them. This will not remove the infection but we need to slow it down a little. Then run the below (in safe mode if possible). If you cannot connect in safe mode to do the steps or it is to difficult due to screen resolution, just reboot in normal mode and run the steps.

Start by downloading two tools we will need

- Process Explorer

- Pocket KillBox

Extract them to their own folder somewhere that you will be able to locate them later.

IMPORTANT: You should print or save the below locally, so you can refer to them while offline. You must exit all browsers before running the below steps and it would be best if you actually physically unplug your cable to the internet, reboot, and do not run anything but what I give you to do. Also it would be good to exit all processes and items in your System tray.

Do the above before continuing! Okay unplug your cable now.

Make sure you have rebooted in Normal Mode (do not open any other processes)

- Run Process Explorer

In the top section of the Process Explorer screen double click on winlogon.exe to bring up the winlogon.exe properties screen. Click on the Threads tab at the top.

Once you see this screen click on each instance of winrge32.dll once and then click the kill button. After you have killed all of the winrge32.dll under winlogon click ok. (If you do not find the dll, just continue on.)

Next double click on explorer.exe and again click once on each instance of winrge32.dll and kill it. (If you do not find the dll, just continue on.)

Now just exit Process Explorer.

Run HijackThis and select the following lines but DO NOT CLICK FIX until you exit all browser sessions including the one you are reading in right now:

O20 - AppInit_DLLs: MsgPlusLoader.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: winrge32 - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\winrge32.dll

Note: the O20 AppInit_DLLs line deletion will result in an erro message from HJT. Just OK it and continue. You may note even see the other O20 line. If not, just continue.

Copy the bold text below to notepad. Save it as fixme.reg to your desktop.
Be sure the "Save as" type is set to "all files"
Once you have saved it double click it and allow it to merge with the registry.

Now run Pocket Killbox:
Choose Tools > Delete Temp Files and click OK.

Run Killbox.exe. Paste the below filenames into KILL BOX one at a time. Check mark the box that says "Delete on Reboot" and checkmark the box "Unregister DLL" (If available) Click the RED X and it will ask you to confirm the file for deletion…say YES and when the next box opens prompting you to reboot now...click NO...and proceed with the next file. Once you get to the last one click YES and it will reboot. Note some of the files listed below may not exist but we need to check for them anyway.
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\winrge32.dll
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\ssqomlm.dll
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\compst~1.dll
C:\WINDOWS\g142265.dll

If Killbox does not reboot or you get a Pending Operations type error message just reboot your PC yourself.


Now attach a new HJT log and a new log from ShowNew and tell me how the steps went.
Make sure you tell me how things are working now!

 

That's part of what I was having you find by deleting all those files in C:\Windows\Temp There was about 1,100 of them in your previous log and now there are none. But something is trying to bring them back.

Let's finish fixing the visile problems and see where things stand.



Run HijackThis and select the following lines but DO NOT CLICK FIX until you exit all browser sessions including the one you are reading in right now:
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {062492AF-392E-479D-BF52-A7A4BCA00307} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\compstuic.dll (file missing)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {4EEE5224-9558-4605-A292-0996EEA5F013} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\pmnlk.dll (file missing)
O20 - Winlogon Notify: cfgmngr32 - C:\WINDOWS\g142265.dll (file missing)
O20 - Winlogon Notify: winrge32 - winrge32.dll (file missing)
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WRNotifier - WRLogonNTF.dll (file missing)

After clicking Fix, exit HJT.:

Now reboot your PC (in normal mode) and post a new HJT log.

Make sure you tell me how things are working now.

 

Why is MSconfig showing as running in your HJT log? What are you using it for?

Does everything run okay in Normal Boot mode? I'm not sure why Explorer keeps crashing in safe mode but let's see if it keeps doing it after another reboot. You may need to try running System File Check (sfc) but you may need your Windows XP SP2 (it must be SP2) CD ROM. Do you have one?

 

Okay! Then you are outside of the realm of the Malware Forum. You should ask about your problems with explorer crashing in the Software Forum. They will still probably ask about SFC or about booting a real Windows CD though.

If you are not having any other malware problems, it is time to go back to step 1 of the READ & RUN ME to Disable System Restore which will flush your Restore Points. Then reboot and enable System Restore to create a new clean Restore Point.

After that, you should work thru the below link:

How to Protect yourself from malware!

 

You're welcome. Surf safely!