ZeroAccess, Done steps 1-2

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by cgarai, Feb 23, 2012.

  1. cgarai

    cgarai Private E-2

    Hi

    Just started having ZeroAccess detections. It clogged Avira up so bad that it can't clear them. After a few runs of MBAM the machine would no longer shut down, it had to be reset.

    I have gone through the READ & RUN ME FIRST up to step 3. During this the machine at least could shutdown/restart after running Combofix.

    Root Repeal however did not work. I don't think I'm running a 64 bit version of XP, at least not according to the methods of determining how many bits the OS is, but it is an AMD 64 Athlon processor. Root Repeal gave various errors:
    Could not read boot sector (I upped the disk access in Options)
    Attempt to read from Address 0x8c04f0...
    Then selected only the D: drive instead of C: (the boot drive) and it made it through with no errors. Moving to C: only it started to hang (dead mouse, needed a reset) At the third attempt I started getting BSOD.

    So I skipped that and went to MGtools, which ran fine.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. cgarai

    cgarai Private E-2

    Here are the other logs.

    Note that RootRepeal failed to produce a log for the C: drive because it was crashing. I attached the crash report and tried to attach the RootRepeal.dmp file but it was rejected.

    Thanks so much for looking at this!

    Chris
     

    Attached Files:

  3. cgarai

    cgarai Private E-2

    Here is the Combofix log
     

    Attached Files:

  4. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Welcome to Major Geeks!

    There are still quite a few things to fix so let's get started.


    Uninstall the below old versions of software:
    J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 10
    J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 11
    J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 6
    J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 9
    Java(TM) 6 Update 2
    Java(TM) 6 Update 24
    Java(TM) 6 Update 4
    Java(TM) 6 Update 5
    Java(TM) 6 Update 7
    Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment 6 Update 1

    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.

    After reboot, now install the current version of Sun Java from: Sun Java Runtime Environment

    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
    • C:\MGlogs.zip
    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!
     
  5. cgarai

    cgarai Private E-2

    Thank you!

    I've done as requested. And I'm amazed that you folks can answer what I must imagine is a huge volume of mail. Do you actually read this or do you have tools/scripts that parse the log files and create responses?

    What did the CFscript do? Was that custom created based on my previous log files? I suspect you don't have the time to actually answer that, but if you have a link to an explanation I am curious.

    Attached are the two logfiles.

    Thanks,

    Chris
     

    Attached Files:

  6. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    You're welcome
    All logs are read manually because that is the only way to fully remove all signs of malware and possibly repair damage from the malware. The only thing automatic is the initial scans from SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, and some of what ComboFix will automatically fix.

    It deleted drivers, files, folders and registry keys due to the infection. And also I removed some unnecessary registry entries for things you don't need.

    All fixes are custom made for each user.


    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.

    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
    • C:\MGlogs.zip
    You need to remember to tell me how things are working this time!
     
  7. cgarai

    cgarai Private E-2

    Avira doesn't find any virus' now, but sometimes it seems to stall. By that I mean I have it scheduled to come on at night and by morning it hasn't finished. It might have something to do with the suspend mode of my computer (desktop). The screen is off but the box is not powered down in the morning and touching the key board wakes it up and it only takes 20 odd minutes to finish the scan.

    I also noticed that a few times upon starting up the computer it burps at the beginning of loading WinXP and then restarts the hardware boot. I haven't been able to see all of it. I know it is happening because I see the screen saying "Windows didn't start properly"

    Lastly I'm having some problems with one of my USB devices. Its status now is Unknown device and No driver loaded.

    Thanks,

    Chris
     

    Attached Files:

  8. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Uninstall Avira now. Do not reinstall yet. We will run some steps below to clean up a mess created by a bunch of Avira installs or updates.

    I don't recommend using suspend modes. They are more trouble than they are worth.

    This may be indicating that you have Windows problems or hard disk problems which would be an issue to discuss in the Software Forum.

    This is something you can discuss in the Hardware Forum, but you may need to reload some drivers for your USB interfaces or for the device if it required special drivers. You also may want to read the below link:

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/918365


    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 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.

    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:
    • the TDSSkiller log
    • the MBRCheck log
    • C:\ComboFix.txt
    • C:\MGlogs.zip
    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!
     
  9. cgarai

    cgarai Private E-2

    Here are the log files.

    Looking at the Combofix log file I noticed that it paid some attention to freac, the audio transcoder. That, along with JamManager (a tool for a USB guitar pedal), was installed just before my problems began.

    Combofix also complained of Avira still running even though I had uninstalled it. Possibly because I hadn't done a clean reboot.

    The system rebooted without shutting down during the first attempt at running MBRCheck.

    Thanks Again!

    Chris
     

    Attached Files:

  10. cgarai

    cgarai Private E-2

    Combofix.txt attached
     

    Attached Files:

  11. cgarai

    cgarai Private E-2

    I have left Avira uninstalled until further notice. Are there any precautions I should take in the mean time?

    Thanks,

    Chris
     
  12. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Try to limit your surf to only coming here for fixes.

    Now run GMER per the below instructions and attach the log from GMER:
    GMER - running with a random name



    Now download The Avenger by Swandog46, and save it to your Desktop.
    See the download links under this icon http://www.majorgeeks.com/images/dll.gif
    • 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:
    • the GMER log
    • C:\avenger.txt
    • C:\MGlogs.zip
    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!
     
  13. cgarai

    cgarai Private E-2

    Ran Gmer and Avenger, logs attached.


    I can't avoid using my browser as I need it to get design data. I'm usually fairly careful about the sites I go to. How does a visit to a site allow an attack to occur?

    Should I run Malwarebytes or Windows defender?

    My system seems to be running OK. It is slower than when I first got it a few years ago. Any ideas as to how to clean it up? Is there an MG forum on the topic?

    Thanks Again!



    Chris
     

    Attached Files:

  14. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    They look okay.

    You can reinstall your protection now since yours logs are clean now and the mess in security center caused by Avira has been fixed. But do remember that PC performance will also decrease when installed. I'm not saying don't install it. You need protection. I'm just saying be aware that it will have an impact just like any protection program will cause.

    Webpages often run scripts of some form or video clips of variouls types and if any of them are malicious they could cause infections since they are actually generating running processes on your PC.

    Malwarebytes is much more effective than Windows Defender but Malwarebytes only provides protection if you purchase it.

    In reality you have an older slower PC by today's standards. Your log showed
    Code:
    Processor x86 Family 15 Model 75 Stepping 2 AuthenticAMD ~2009 Mhz
    This is not a dual core or quad core system and it has a slower processor for the type that it is. When you run Win XP SP3 which is much newer than what you had when you 1st purchased this PC and then also add all the other updates made to all software, your PC is just going to be slower than it was before.

    If your complaint is only with startup time, then you should stop loading all the junk you are loading at startup. Basically figure out what you really need to load and what you don't. If you problem is performance during all normal operation, then it may just be your PC specs and in addition what you are currently running in processes. You can work issues like this in the Software Forum; however a in a quick review of your startups, I would say you really don't need to load any of the below but you are a better judge of what you really need or don't need:

    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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