Win32/CoinMiner

Discussion in 'Malware Help - MG (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by Beardedwonder, Dec 16, 2011.

  1. Beardedwonder

    Beardedwonder Private E-2

    Hello

    I have a persistent issue with this piece of malware.

    Upon booting Microsoft Security Essentials warns me of the presence of win32/Coin Miner. After removing it I re-boot to find the malware is still there and MSE prompts me to remove it, I re-boot and it's still there...

    Have followed the removal guide instructions (see attached) and its still there. If anyone could advise how to remove it would be much appreciated.

    Thanks
     

    Attached Files:

  2. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Exactly where is it finding this.
     
  3. Beardedwonder

    Beardedwonder Private E-2

    If i'm reading this right then: C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\bin\firefox.exe
    process:pid:2828
     
  4. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Well that seems to be a problem. As far as I know, firefox.exe belongs in the C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox folder. There was no bin folder. Not even in the 8.0,1 version I have installed.

    Do you also have a firefox.exe in C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox ?

    I'm surprised that MSE is not also detecting the below as a problem:
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\bin\iexplore.exe
     
  5. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Let's see if we can clear this problem up.

    Run C:\MGtools\analyse.exe by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista or Win 7, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator). This is really HijackThis (select Do a system scan only) 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:

    R3 - URLSearchHook: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - (no file)

    After clicking Fix, exit HJT.



    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:
    • 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.


    Goto the below link and follow the instructions for running TDSSKiller from Kaspersky
    • Be sure to attach your log from TDSSKiller
    Now please also download MBRCheck to your desktop.

    See the download links under this icon http://forums.majorgeeks.com/chaslang/images/MGDownloadLoc.gif
    • Double click MBRCheck.exe to run (vista and Win 7 right click and select Run as Administrator)
    • It will show a Black screen with some information that will contain either the below line if no problem is found:
      • Done! Press ENTER to exit...
    • Or you will see more information like below if a problem is found:
      • Found non-standard or infected MBR.
      • Enter 'Y' and hit ENTER for more options, or 'N' to exit:
    • Either way, just choose to exit the program at this point since we want to see only the scan results to begin with.
    • MBRCheck will create a log named similar to MBRCheck_07.16.10_00.32.33.txt which is random based on date and time.
    • Attach this log to your next message. (See: HOW TO: Attach Items To Your Post )


    Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista or Win7, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator).



    Then attach the below logs:
    • C:\ComboFix.txt
    • the logs from TDSSkiller and MBRcheck
    • C:\MGlogs.zip
    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!
     
  6. Beardedwonder

    Beardedwonder Private E-2

    Followed the walk through, logged off and on again, and no joy unfortunately.

    Logs attached

    Cheers
     

    Attached Files:

  7. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    You need to make sure that you have Firefox totally shutdown before running the fix. Use Internet Explorer for your browsing for now. We will try again. But note that the last fix did remove the infected version of Internet Explorer that MSE is not even detecting.



    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.
    • Now shutdown FireFox if you have it running.
    • 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:
    • 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 download the current version of MGtools and save it to your root folder. Overwrite your previous MGtools.exe file with this one.

    Run MGtools.exe ( Note: If using Vista or Win7, make sure UAC is still disabled. Also don't double click on it, use right click and select Run As Administrator )

    Now attach the below log:
    • C:\ComboFix.txt
    • C:\MGlogs.zip
    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!
     
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2011
  8. Beardedwonder

    Beardedwonder Private E-2

    Well its good news that IE isn't infected, poor Firefox still is. Logs attached.

    Hey, i've thrown my back out today - can you fix them as well as computers?! ;)
     

    Attached Files:

  9. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Yes I have been known to pop a few backs. ;)

    Use Internet Explorer for all of the below. If you are running Firefox right now, shut it down and do not rerun it.


    We are going to be uninstalling FireFox and deleting folders from it. Do not reinstall it yet until we are sure everything has been cleaned up. So do the below to save bookmarks:
    • Run FireFox and click Bookmarks.
    • Then select Organize Bootmarks.
    • Then on the next window click File and then select Export. Save the bookmarks.html file to your Desktop for later use in importing.
    Now download and save the installer for the current non-beta version of FireFox but DO NOT install it yet. Just get it here: Mozilla Firefox 8.0.1 Final
    • Now uninstall FireFox and then reboot. Do not skip the reboot.
    • After reboot, continue with the below.

    Now we need to use ComboFix and we will remove folder from Firefox
    • 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:
    • 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 download the current version of MGtools and save it to your root folder. Overwrite your previous MGtools.exe file with this one.

    Run MGtools.exe ( Note: If using Vista or Win7, make sure UAC is still disabled. Also don't double click on it, use right click and select Run As Administrator )

    Now attach the below log:
    • C:\ComboFix.txt
    • C:\MGlogs.zip
    Make sure you tell me how things are working now! Again to not reinstall Firefox yet until we are able to verify all is good.
     
  10. Beardedwonder

    Beardedwonder Private E-2

    Logs attached. The familiar MSE warning msg is back.
     

    Attached Files:

  11. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Is it for the same location?

    The below folders were supposed to be deleted by the last fix. Are these folders still on your PC?

    c:\program files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox
    C:\Users\Matt Day\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla
     
  12. Beardedwonder

    Beardedwonder Private E-2

    I don't have Firefox shortcut but those folders are still on my pc.

    Here's the location as shown in MSE. Looking through the history the location has varied, either as shown below or just firefox as i originaly posted. Sorry for half a story...

    file:C:\Program Files (x86)\Google Chrome\bin\chrome.exe
    file:C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\bin\iexplore.exe
    file:C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\bin\firefox.exe
    file:C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\bin\opera.exe
    file:C:\Program Files (x86)\Safari\bin\Safari.exe
     
  13. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Yes the full story would be more helpful. ;)

    Okay the only browser you have installed is IE. So let's see what happens when you try to delete those other folders.

    See if you can delete each of the below folders:

    C:\Program Files (x86)\Google Chrome
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Safari

    If you cannot delete the above folders because it says they are not empty, navigate all the way down to the files below and delete them. And then delete the bin folder. Then delete the Next higher level folder with the browser name ( like Opera ...etc ).
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Google Chrome\bin\chrome.exe
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\bin\firefox.exe
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\bin\opera.exe
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Safari\bin\Safari.exe

    Also you need to delete the below file
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\bin\iexplore.exe

    And then the bin folder.
    Do not try to delete the C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer folder
     
  14. Beardedwonder

    Beardedwonder Private E-2

    Well, whats life withour surprises.

    Folders defintely deleted but MSE is still picking it up in the following locations:

    Items:
    file:C:\Program Files (x86)\Google Chrome\bin\chrome.exe
    file:C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\bin\iexplore.exe
    file:C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\bin\firefox.exe
    file:C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\bin\opera.exe
    file:C:\Program Files (x86)\Safari\bin\Safari.exe

    Those folders have a modified date of when I ran the search.
     
  15. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    This really cannot be correct since you say they still exist in a search and MSE is still finding them. Thus one of two things is happening
    1. They are deleting but only temporarily. Something restores them. Either immediately, withing a few minutes, or after a reboot. Would be good to know which.
    2. They are really not deleting even though it tells you they are deleting.

    Let's try a different method. Please download The Avenger by Swandog46, and save it to your Desktop.
    • Extract avenger.exe from the Zip file and save it to your desktop
    • Run avenger.exe by double-clicking on it.
    • Do not change any check box options!!
    • Copy everything in the Quote box below, and paste it into the Input script here: part of the window:
    • Now click the Execute button.
    • Click Yes to the prompt to confirm you want to execute.
    • Click Yes to the Reboot now? question that will appear when Avenger finishes running.
    • Your PC should reboot, if not, reboot it yourself.
    • A log file from Avenger will be produced at C:\avenger.txt and it will popup for you to view when you login after reboot.

    Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista or Win7, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator).


    Then attach the below logs:
    • C:\avenger.txt
    • C:\MGlogs.zip
    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!

    If they have come back again, then please run the below scans and attach the logs.

    Using ESET's Online Scanner

    GMER - running with a random name
     
  16. Beardedwonder

    Beardedwonder Private E-2

    It's gone!

    Nice one, cheers for your help chaslang.
     
  17. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    You're welcome but please attach the follow up logs I request so we can be sure.



    Otherwise 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 or Win 7, 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:
     

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