Suspected Hijack / Malware

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by afterthefact, Nov 3, 2013.

  1. afterthefact

    afterthefact Private E-2

    Hello,

    Noticed lately that google.com is asking me to input a capcha due to high network activity. I found that strange so I started looking into it and am worried I might have a compromised PC. I ran a netstat just now after a fresh restart and no exaggeration it listed connections for 10-15 minutes before stopping... so possibly over 10,000 active connections to my box (no, not a server)!

    Attached is a copy of my hijack this log.

    I am surprised since I regularly run CCleaner, SpyBot, MalwareBytes, etc


    Even more strange (not sure if relevant) but I was about to re-run the netstat so I could copy/paste a sample of the output showing all the connections and now they are gone, only about 6 connections (which is normal) and none to that port in the 20k range that they were all connected to....
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma 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 update 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 RogueKiller 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 the rest of the READ & RUN ME FIRST instructions on the infected account.
    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. afterthefact

    afterthefact Private E-2

    Step 2
    AntiVirus: None Installed
    Firewall: None Installed (behind router)

    Step 3
    OS: 32bit Windows XP Pro SP 3
    Hidden Files: Visible

    Step 4
    Disk Emulation: None

    Step 5
    CCleaner: Completed for all user accounts (2)

    Step 6
    Windows XP specific instructions
    - All tools downloaded successfully.
    - All scans run successfully.
    - Logs attached.

    Thank you.
     

    Attached Files:

  4. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    Before we continue I would like for you to use MSConfig to put this machine back into normal start up mode.


    Re run Hitman Pro and have it delete Potential Unwanted Programs.


    http://imageshack.us/a/img841/7292/thisisujrt.gif Please download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop.
    • Shut down your protection software now to avoid potential conflicts.
    • Run the tool by double-clicking it. If you are using Windows Vista or Seven, right-mouse click it and select Run as Administrator.
    • The tool will open and start scanning your system.
    • Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system's specifications.
    • On completion, a log (JRT.txt) is saved to your desktop and will automatically open.
    • Attach JRT.txt to your next message.


    Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it. (Right click and run as admin if using Vista, Windows7 or Win8) Then attach the new C:\MGlogs.zip file that will be created by running this.

    Let me know of any problems you may have encountered with the above instructions and also let me know how things are running now!
     
  5. afterthefact

    afterthefact Private E-2

    Normal Startup mode enabled + Restarted PC.

    Hitman + set to Delete completed successfully, log attached.

    Junkware Removal Tool run successfully, log attached.

    New MGtools logs generated, attached.


    Will restart and check performance/results while I wait for further instructions, thank you.
     

    Attached Files:

  6. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    Hi, yes do let me know how things are today, please. :)
     
  7. afterthefact

    afterthefact Private E-2

    Hello,

    All seems running smoothly today.

    netstat isn't listing thousands, or even hundreds of connections. It's back to ~6-10 connections and they look typical.

    searching via google.com isn't resulting in any captcha prompts.

    I would tend to think everything is resolved but will keep a close eye for a few more days. Thanks for the assistance, very clear instructions and polite responses. Appreciate it.

    A+
     
  8. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    You are most welcome. :) Yes indeed, surf around a couple days and then come back and let me know how everything is.
     
  9. afterthefact

    afterthefact Private E-2

    Hi,

    Unfortunately the problem is back again. I noticed more lag/sluggishness when browsing and ran a netstat again tonight. Again, it was listing 100+ active connections. This time I was able to copy whatever was in the command window (not all of it since the buffer is only a few lines) but gives an idea - I've attached the log.

    I did some searching online and saw someone else with a similar problem posting in another forum. In their case, the trojan/malware had configured IE to route through a proxy. Sure enough I checked my firefox settings and it was set to connect through a proxy (I didn't set this!) and that explains why so many connections to port 21320.

    Really wish I could figure out what keeps infecting my machine. Can you please help again. I haven't installed any new programs since last time so this is really boggling me...
     

    Attached Files:

  10. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    According to your logs, no proxy is being used at all.

    If you do not use Windows Messenger Run this Disable/Remove Windows Messenger to remove Windows Messenger. Do not confuse Windows Messenger with MSN Messenger because they are not the same. Windows Messenger is a frequent cause of popups.


    Please disable all anti-virus and anti-spyware programs while we do the following (re-enable when you are finished):

    Run C:\MGtools\analyse.exe by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, 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:

    • O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
    • O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-854245398-1454471165-839522115-1004\..\Run: [SearchProtect] C:\Documents and Settings\lucy\Application Data\SearchProtect\bin\cltmng.exe (User 'lucy')
    After clicking Fix exit HJT.


    Delete this:

    C:\Documents and Settings\lucy\Application Data\SearchProtect

    Any better? :confused
     
  11. afterthefact

    afterthefact Private E-2

    Hi,

    Looks like I had some javascript virus/trojans installed. :-o
    Ran an AVAST full scan + boot scan and the following were detected and quarantined:

    JS: DownloadNSave-K (ad-ware)
    Java:CVE-2012-4681-CN (exploit)
    Java:Malware-gen (trojan)

    Everything seems much better now. Will run your instructions later tonight and report back afterwards.
     
  12. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    OK let me know. :)
     
  13. afterthefact

    afterthefact Private E-2

    Done. I used the "remove" option (instead of the disable option) since I have no need for Windows Messenger.

    Followed instructions & ran the application (HJT) but neither of the above entries were present after the scan. Likely they were already removed by Avast when I did the previous scan + quarantine.


    The above folder was not found. I do have hidden set to show. Again, likely already removed by Avast.


    I can confirm that since the Avast cleanup, I am no longer seeing strange things when running a netstat. I think I may be in the clear for good this time! Thanks again!
     
  14. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    Glad to hear it! :)

    If you are not having any other malware problems, it is time to do our final steps:
    1. We recommend you keep Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for scanning/removal of malware.
    2. If we had you download any registry patches like fixme.reg or fixWLK.reg (or any others) and running MGclean.bat did not remove them, you can delete these files now.
    3. Renable your Disk Emulation software with Defogger if you had disabled it in step 4 of the READ & RUN ME.
    4. Go to add/remove programs and uninstall HijackThis. If you don't see it or it will not uninstall, don't worry about it. Just move on to the next step.
    5. If running Vista, Win 7 or Win 8, 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.
    6. Now goto the C:\MGtools folder and find the MGclean.bat file. Double click ( if running Vista, Win7, or Win 8 Right Click and Run As Administrator ) 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.
    7. Any other miscellaneous tools we may have had you install or download can be uninstalled and deleted.

    8. After doing the above, you should work thru the below link:
     

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