Need help removing rootkit zeroaccess

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by ehspina, May 10, 2012.

  1. ehspina

    ehspina Private E-2

    I've read many threads on eliminating rootkit zeroaccess from my machine but I'm at a loss to totally eliminate it. After a set period or some triggering event, my browser disconnects from internet - whether I use Firefox or IE.

    RogueKiller does not detect any malware, though it highlights the McAfee system file: mfehidk.sys in the drivers tab.

    Malwarebytes Anti-Malware does not detect any problem.

    McAfee rootkitremover does not detect any problem.

    Combofix warned me that I had the Rootkit.ZeroAccess inserted into the tcp/ip. It mentioned that it is a difficult thing to remove. It runs to completion, but even if I run Combofix again it find the exact same rootkit problem.

    How can I eliminate once and for all?

    I'm running windows xp on a thinkpad T60.
     
  2. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Welcome to Major Geeks!

    Please read ALL of this message including the notes before doing anything.

    Please follow the instructions in the below link:

    READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide


    and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.
    • **** If something does not run, write down the info to explain to us later but keep on going. ****
    • Do not assume that because one step does not work that they all will not. MGtools will frequently run even when all other tools will not.

    • After completing the READ & RUN ME and attaching your logs, make sure that you tell us what problems still remain ( if any still do )!
    Helpful Notes:
    1. If you run into problems trying to run the READ & RUN ME or any of the scans in normal boot mode, you can run the steps in safe boot mode but make sure you tell us what you did later when you post logs. See the below if you do not know how to boot in safe mode:
    2. If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools and the manual updates for SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes ( links are given in the READ & RUN ME) onto another PC and then burn to a CD. Then copy them to the problem PC. You will have to skip getting updates if (and only if) your internet connection does not work. Yes you could use a flash drive too but flash drives are writeable and infections can spread to them.
    3. If you cannot seem to login to an infected user account, try using a different user account (if you have one) in either normal or safe boot mode and running only SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes while logged into this other user account. Then reboot and see if you can log into the problem user account. If you can then run SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, ComboFix and MGtools on the infected account as requested in the instructions.
    4. To avoid additional delay in getting a response, it is strongly advised that after completing the READ & RUN ME you also read this sticky:
    Any additional post is a bump which will add more delay. Once you attach the logs, your thread will be in the work queue and as stated our system works the oldest threads FIRST.
     
  3. ehspina

    ehspina Private E-2

    4 logs are attached.

    Below is the text for the SuperAntiSpyware log, since I can't attach more than 4 logs:

    SUPERAntiSpyware Scan Log
    http://www.superantispyware.com

    Generated 05/10/2012 at 10:54 PM

    Application Version : 5.0.1148

    Core Rules Database Version : 8585
    Trace Rules Database Version: 6397

    Scan type : Quick Scan
    Total Scan Time : 00:10:30

    Operating System Information
    Windows XP Professional 32-bit, Service Pack 3 (Build 5.01.2600)
    Administrator

    Memory items scanned : 799
    Memory threats detected : 0
    Registry items scanned : 30937
    Registry threats detected : 0
    File items scanned : 7654
    File threats detected : 0
     

    Attached Files:

  4. ehspina

    ehspina Private E-2

    My previous post has all the logs.

    I don't know if this is relevant, but every time I get a message that "McAfee Service Host has encountered a problem and needs to close..." that's a symptom that I will soon be without internet access.

    When I reboot, it comes back temporarily (like now).

    Thanks for your help.
     
  5. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Are you missing things from your Start Menu, Quick Launch, All Programs or from your Desktop? I would think so based on your logs but you did not say anything about this.

    Please download and save the below to your Desktop or anywhere else you can find it ( if the Desktop is not showing )

    http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/grinler/unhide.exe

    Now run it ( if you are running Vista or Win 7, use right click and select Run As Administrator ). Did that help with your missing items if any were missing? It's possible you had already fixed there before coming here but I did notice signs of issues in your logs.




    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 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:\avenger.txt
    • the logs from TDSSKiller and MBRcheck
    • C:\MGlogs.zip
    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!
     
  6. ehspina

    ehspina Private E-2

    Attached are 4 logs.

    I did not notice anything missing from my start menu, quick launch menu or desktop. You can check the unhide log to see my results.

    Thanks again for your help.
     

    Attached Files:

  7. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    You forgot to attach the new MGlogs.zip file.

    Also you did not tell me how things are working.
     
  8. ehspina

    ehspina Private E-2

    Oops! Here is the missing log.

    ComboFix says I have a rootkit zeroaccess infection. I suspect that my rootkit virus is somehow connected with McAfee. When I don't have McAfee enabled (or at least the firewall), I don't lose access to the internet. Is is possible the virus is hiding in an anti-virus software driver?
     
  9. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    You did not attach anything. Make sure you followed my instructions for creating the new log; however wait until the end of the below before getting this new log.

    Possibly. These infections do get into miscellaneous driver files. Why don't you uninstall McAfee for now since it may just be getting in the way and obviously did not protect you from the infect anyway. After uninstalling McAfee reboot your computer and run the below because McAfee frequently does not uninstall properly.

    McAfee Consumer Product Removal Tool


    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:\MGlogs.zip
     
    Last edited: May 13, 2012
  10. ehspina

    ehspina Private E-2

    I uninstalled McAfee and ran the MGtools.exe

    The log is attached.

    BTW, if it's helpful,to compare the two, I did attach the MGlogs.zip to my initial response to your request for information yesterday at 2:45 your time.

    Thanks again.
     

    Attached Files:

  11. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    No, there was nothing attached as I stated in my previous message. I don't need it anyway.

    Your logs are clean. Just do the below.

    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:

    O2 - BHO: (no name) - {B164E929-A1B6-4A06-B104-2CD0E90A88FF} - (no file)
    O18 - Protocol: dssrequest - {5513F07E-936B-4E52-9B00-067394E91CC5} - (no file)
    O18 - Protocol: sacore - {5513F07E-936B-4E52-9B00-067394E91CC5} - (no file)
    O18 - Filter: application/x-mfe-ipt - {3EF5086B-5478-4598-A054-786C45D75692} - (no file)

    After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

    Do not reinstall McAfee yet! Not until after we perform final cleanup which is below assuming you are not having any current problems.



    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:
     
  12. ehspina

    ehspina Private E-2

    Thank you. Everything seems to be running fine.

    The only indication that an infection was the cause of my internet access problem was Combofix's identification of a rootkit zeroaccess. Was this a real problem?

    When I looked at toggling the system restore point I discovered that it was already turned off. I recall Combofix specifically set a restore point. Was this turned off when it was uninstalled? Or was this one of the functions of the mgclean bat file? Or is it because my Thinkpad might handle system restores on its own? Should I re-enable system restore?

    Is it safe to reinstall McAfee now? If an infected driver file was the problem, I'm assuming that disappeared when I uninstalled McAfee.
     
  13. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    You're welcome.
    Yes and ComboFix removed it.

    No. No. And no. ;)

    Yes.

    Yes, but complete all of the final cleanup, before you reinstall McAfee.
     
  14. ehspina

    ehspina Private E-2

    Thanks again, everything seems to be working.

    One note for McAfee users, there is quite a bit of discussion on their community boards about McAfee causing a browser to lose internet access. Suggestions are to disable Net Guard and Site Advisor.

    This may have contributed to my problems.
     
  15. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    You're welcome. ANd thanks for the note on McAfee.

    Sure safely.
     

MajorGeeks.Com Menu

Downloads All In One Tweaks \ Android \ Anti-Malware \ Anti-Virus \ Appearance \ Backup \ Browsers \ CD\DVD\Blu-Ray \ Covert Ops \ Drive Utilities \ Drivers \ Graphics \ Internet Tools \ Multimedia \ Networking \ Office Tools \ PC Games \ System Tools \ Mac/Apple/Ipad Downloads

Other News: Top Downloads \ News (Tech) \ Off Base (Other Websites News) \ Way Off Base (Offbeat Stories and Pics)

Social: Facebook \ YouTube \ Twitter \ Tumblr \ Pintrest \ RSS Feeds