Netbook infected with trojans; problems with start up

Discussion in 'Malware Help - MG (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by centerpiece, May 7, 2011.

  1. centerpiece

    centerpiece Private E-2

    Hi there,

    After using my Acer Aspire One netbook all day yesterday without a problem, Symantec Endpoint Protection started detecting threats automatically and attempted to clean them. I performed a full scan and although it claimed that it had cleaned everything, after restarting my computer it would continue to detect threats. According to Symantec the problem is/was from infostealer.gampass.

    I followed all of the procedures in the READ AND RUN ME FIRST post, but I was unable to run 2 scans: the first, RootRepeal froze after initializing and led me to have to reboot, and the second MGTools, I was unable to find in the Local Disk C:\. Apparently my computer was filled with trojans (roughly 70 of them).

    After running all of the tests, there's a couple of new issues that have popped up. The first is that every time i restart my computer a window pops up stating that "Windows Installer" is preparing to install. I also get a couple of other pop ups:

    1) Microsoft Visual C + + Runtime Library - Runtime Error; Program: C:\ Pro...
    2) Symantec CMC SmcGui has encountered a problem and needs to close - Debug|Send Error Report| Don't Send
    3) Network Activity: SmcGui.exe - The exception uknown software exception (0x40000015) occurred in the application at location 0x6b2521a8. Click ok to terminate program
    Further info on my computer:
    - there is only one user account
    - running on Windows XP 32-bit


    I would appreciate any advice on how to proceed.

    Thanks,

    Matilda
     

    Attached Files:

  2. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Welcome to Major Geeks!

    I'm not sure what you mean. I can see it in your ComboFix log.
    Code:
    2011-05-07 18:03 . 2011-05-07 18:04 2418162 ----a-w- C:\MGtools.exe
    You need to run it and attach the c:\MGlogs.zip file. If you have a problem running it, be sure to shutdown Symantec first.

    Also no matter what happens, run the below ESET scan and attach the log.

    Using ESET's Online Scanner

    Yes likely because you had an infection in many of your installed programs and they are likely broken now. Even Symantec may be broken.


    Also do the below.



    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.
    • Also make sure you have shut down all protection software (antivirus, antispyware...etc) or they may get in the way of allowing ComboFix to run properly.
    • If ComboFix tells you it has expired or need to be updated to a new version, make sure you allow it to update.
    • Open Notepad and copy/paste the text in the below quote box into it:
    Code:
    KILLALL::
     
    RenV::
    c:\program files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl .exe
    c:\program files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM .exe
    c:\program files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched .exe
    c:\program files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp .exe
    c:\program files\iTunes\iTunesHelper .exe
    c:\program files\QuickTime\QTTask      .exe
    c:\program files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr  .exe
    c:\windows\PLFSetL .exe
    c:\windows\system32\rundll32 .exe
     
     
    File::
    c:\windows\Xdiwi.bin
    
    
    • 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.
    • Now use your mouse to drag CFscript.txt on top of ComboFix.exe
    • 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.

    If after running Combofix you discover none of your programs will open up because you recieve the following error: Illegal operation attempted on a registry key that has been marked for deletion then you will need to reboot your computer which will normally fix this problem.



    Now attach the new C:\ComboFix.txt log
    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!
     
  3. centerpiece

    centerpiece Private E-2

    Thank you so much for responding! I was able to find and run MGTools. I had not realized that the icon was staring me in the face the whole time. :p I also did the online scan and I'm attaching logs for the two in this post.

    The only one I was uncertain about was the ComboFix. I did as you suggested (ie. dragged the text file into ComboFix.exe" and it prompted me to run but then another window popped up and by responding to that one my start bar froze and I couldn't click on the "start" button or close/open any of the tabs that I had already used. And instead of repeating the procedure and risking any more damage I figured I'd ask here first on how to proceed.

    - Matilda
     
  4. centerpiece

    centerpiece Private E-2

    I'm not sure if the files were attached properly so I'm re-posting them, just in case.
     

    Attached Files:

  5. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    CFSrcipt.txt is still on your Desktop which means ComboFix did not run properly. Shutdown all protection software and try again. Be sure to follow the instructions properly. Make sure you left click and drag to drop.
     
  6. centerpiece

    centerpiece Private E-2

    I tried to run it twice but each time Windows prompts me to end the program.. The first time, ComboFix was updated to a new version and I managed to agree to the terms but nothing else happened.
     
  7. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    We really need ComboFix to work inorder to get this fixed. Please reboot into safe boot mode, terminate any protection programs, and try running the fix in safe boot mode. Let me know if this works.
     
  8. centerpiece

    centerpiece Private E-2

    Hi again,

    In the last two days I've noticed that when I turn on my computer there are no more pop up errors (like the ones I listed in the above posts). The start up is seemingly normal and the desktop doesn't freeze as it did prior to removing all of these viruses. I'm wondering if it is necessary to do any more scans or if there are any "closing instructions" that I need to follow? I can still follow the ComboFix procedure but I just wanted to update you on the status so that you can determine if it is still important to do.

    - M
     
  9. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    The items shown in the fix I gave to use with ComboFix were all due to an infection which is still on your PC. All of those startup items were infected and need to be fixed. If you want to take the risk that you don't need to address this because your PC seems to be running okay then that is your choice and you can just do the below final steps. But please be aware that based on your last logs, you still had infections present.



    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 oof the READ ME and renable 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 reenabled 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 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 thru the below link:
     
  10. centerpiece

    centerpiece Private E-2

    I tried to run ComboFix one more time and it worked (yay!) so I'll attach the file. Thanks again for your help. :)
     

    Attached Files:

  11. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Good! Notice that ComboFix even showed you still had a serious infection of a very important system file ( the userinit.exe file) which it fixed.

    Now it 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 oof the READ ME and renable 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 reenabled 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 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 thru the below link:
     
  12. centerpiece

    centerpiece Private E-2

    Everything is running perfectly; thank you so so much! :) I can't believe I was able to fix the problem at home without paying someone a small fortune to do the same. I really appreciate you taking the time to help. Thanks again, cheers!

    - M
     
  13. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    You're welcome. Surf safely!
     

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