Cannot load any virus or malware removal tools

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by JAGUAR59, Aug 12, 2009.

  1. JAGUAR59

    JAGUAR59 Private E-2

    Hi,
    I have a problem where I cannot run any virus or malware removal tools. I have tried them in safe mode and I have tried renaming them. I am able to load them and update them and I can start them momentarily. Then they stop and I can not restart them. I get an error that they are not available or that I do not have permission. I have tried to run online scans and they also fail to load. I also have a problem with iexplorer and firefox being hijacked and loading various web sites I am not intending on going to. Not bad sites just not the ones I am trying to get to. Let me know what you want me to try. I work on computers daily and have not run into anything like this. Thanks in advance for you help.
     
  2. JAGUAR59

    JAGUAR59 Private E-2

    I am able to run MGtools.exe and I have attached the log.
     

    Attached Files:

  3. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    First it is an extremely bad idea to allow all users to have admin. privileges! You should set all but one to restricted status!!

    I see you already have Avenger installed so we will use it.
    Please disable all anti-virus and anti-spyware programs while we do the following (re-enable when you are finished):

    * 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 Ccleaner to clean out only temp files and nothing else!

    Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator). This time the agreement to run HJT may come up....be sure to click ok twice.

    Then attach the below logs:

    * C:\Avenger.txt
    * C:\MGlogs.zip
     
  4. JAGUAR59

    JAGUAR59 Private E-2

    Hi, thank you for your help. I will fix the administration problem. I have attached the new logs.
     

    Attached Files:

  5. JAGUAR59

    JAGUAR59 Private E-2

    One other note, I watched as Avenger was unable to delete User key information. I brought up regedit and went to those keys and as I was going down the tree to get to this specific key I found an entry for both Monopod and Nordbull in the following keys
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Monopod
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Nordbull

    There are a lot of entries for both of these.
    I don't know if this is relevant or not, just thought I would pass it on.
     
  6. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Are you not getting the license agreement pop up to run HJT?

    Let's try again.

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

    Now Copy the bold text below to notepad. Save it as fixME.reg to your desktop. Be sure the "Save as" type is set to "all files" Once you have saved it double click it and allow it to merge with the registry.
    Make sure that you tell me if you receive a success message about adding the above
    to the registry. If you do not get a success message, it definitely did not work.


    Now use windows explorer to find and delete:
    C:\WINDOWS\temp\0103671250374822mcinst.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\xxx.scr

    You need to clean up your desktop! Remove everything but links to run programs. Do not download and save programs here and definitely do not use it for long term storage. You need to keep ComboFix.exe here for now as we need it, but we will be removing it when we are finished with your cleanup. A cluttered Desktop is malware's playground and it can also cause performance degradation especially when you start saving large files here like you are doing.

    Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator). (Tell me if the agreement for HJT doesn't pop up for you.)

    Then attach the below logs:

    * C:\MGlogs.zip
     
  7. JAGUAR59

    JAGUAR59 Private E-2

    I cleaned up the desktop. I disabled virus and spyware applications. I loaded the text into the registry and received a "successfully loaded" response. I used explorer to try to locate the files you specified, they were not found in the paths specified. I ran MGTools GetLogs.bat, I did not get a license agreement pop-up for HJT. I put combofix on my desktop for future use.
     

    Attached Files:

  8. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Looking much better. What is this:
    Please double click on this:
    C:\MGtools\analyse.exe

    Tell me if it runs and attach the log if it does. ( Do a system scan only).
     
  9. JAGUAR59

    JAGUAR59 Private E-2

    The file you are referencing (8 8.reg) is a backup of my registry prior to doing any work on the machine. It can be deleted if necessary.

    Analyse.exe will not run. When I double click the file I get the following error message -

    "Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item"

    I get the same error for any virus protection software I try to run.

    I realize you are very busy and have a lot of other issues working but this is my work computer for my business. This problem started on the 7th and I finally started this thread on the 12th after trying to resolve the issue myself. I am hoping we can communicate more often to get this resolved. Any faster help will be greatly appreciated. It appears to be having an adverse effect on my Quickbooks which also is not starting.
    Thank you in advance, I trust your knowledge and I don't really want to work with any one else.
     
  10. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Those messages mean that the application cannot run and that you must restore the SeDebugPrivilege level on the user account being used. The below steps will do this for you.
    Download SeDebug-Restore
    Save to your desktop and double click to run.

    See if that allows you to run your programs.

    Now download Registry Search (see the link titled RegSearch Download Link )

    • Extract the files from Regsearch.zip into a folder.
    • Doubleclick regsearch.exe to start the program.
    • See the top 3 boxes under the Enter search strings (case independen) and click Ok... option, enter the below string (use copy and past)
      • Monopod
    • Then click "OK".
    • Notepad will be opened with text in it (the file named RegSearch.txt will be saved in the program's folder as well).
    • Then search for
    • *Norbull
    • Attach this RegSearch.txt file.
     
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2009
  11. JAGUAR59

    JAGUAR59 Private E-2

    I ran SeDebug-Restore and it appeared to run and asked me to reboot which I did. No change to running programs.

    I unzipped and tried running reg search according to your directions. It would start to run and hang, after about 60 seconds the application without warning closed. This is a tough beast and I can't wait to see how we wrestle it to the ground!
     
  12. JAGUAR59

    JAGUAR59 Private E-2

    I tried rerunning the sedebug-restore program, and it gave me the following message in the window it opened, I am not sure it is really running. Is this normal?

    '\cscript.exe' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
    operable program or batch file.

    Please reboot your machine

    Press any key to exit
     
  13. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Now download the latest version of MGtools and save it to your root folder. Overwrite your previous MGtools.exe file with this one. Run it and get me the new MGLogs.zip.

    This is one of the new breed of infections and is difficult to fix. But we will!
     
  14. JAGUAR59

    JAGUAR59 Private E-2

    Here is the latest MGlogs file. Again, thanks for your support.
     

    Attached Files:

  15. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    First find and remove this file:
    C:\WINDOWS\temp\0098391251026894mcinst.exe

    Now use windows explorer to locate this file:
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\scecli.dll
    Right click it and tell me the properties....date and size.
     
  16. JAGUAR59

    JAGUAR59 Private E-2

    I found and removed file C:\WINDOWS\temp\0098391251026894mcinst.exe,
    including emptying the recycle bin.

    The other file C:\WINDOWS\system32\scecli.dll

    In the properties window has a file size of 60,928 bytes, date created of 8/23/2001 8AM

    Modified
    Sunday 4/13/2008 8:12:05PM
     
  17. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Lets try this, as that file is the wrong size. Rename it to C:\WINDOWS\system32\scecli.dll.vir

    Then reboot.

    Then go to start / run / and type:
    sfc /scannow and have your xp cd handy. Run it twice. Then go back and look for any other C:\WINDOWS\system32\scecli.dll files. They may have a ( ) with a number. Let me know if you find any.
     
  18. JAGUAR59

    JAGUAR59 Private E-2

    I could not rename the file, it stated it was in use by another person or program, no one else is logged on.
     
  19. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    And no other was found in the sys32 folder?
     
  20. JAGUAR59

    JAGUAR59 Private E-2

    No other scecli.dll files in the system32 directory. Should this file be coming up as a Microsoft file for a company?
     
  21. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    scecli.dll file is the Windows Security Configuration Editor Client file and a required system file.However, it should be this size -- >
    180,224

    I need to figure out how to replace it with the legit file.
     
  22. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Lets try this:

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

    * 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, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator).

    Then attach the below logs:
    * C:\Avenger.txt
    * C:\ComboFix.txt
    * C:\MGlogs.zip
     
  23. JAGUAR59

    JAGUAR59 Private E-2

    I don't see you last post but here are the log files for Combofix, mglogs, and avenger.
     

    Attached Files:

  24. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Keep your fingers crossed, I think we got it! Can you now run SAS and MBAM?
     
  25. JAGUAR59

    JAGUAR59 Private E-2

    The file did get replaced during the last procedure, it now has a file size of 181248 and now shows Microsoft as the company. It is version number 5.1.2600.5512.
     
  26. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Yes, I saw that from the latest MGLogs. Can you now run SAS and MBAM?
     
  27. JAGUAR59

    JAGUAR59 Private E-2

    I am currently running a Malwarebytes scan. It started and is running. You have made substantial progress, thank you!!!!
     
  28. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Good to know. We may indeed be out of the woods! :)
     
  29. JAGUAR59

    JAGUAR59 Private E-2

    We can close this thread. I would like to apply a thank you for the excellent support but I am unsure how to do it. I will say a great big thanks to the Geeks for having this forum and to Tim for his outstanding support!!!
     
  30. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    You are most welcome...safe surfing. :)

    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 real-time protection. They are useful as backup scanners.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" /u
        • Notes: The space between the combofix" and the /u, it must be there.
        • This will uninstall ComboFix and also reset hidden files and folders settings back to Windows defaults.
    3. Any other miscellaneous tools we may have had you install or download can be uninstalled and deleted.
    4. If we had you download any registry patches like fixme.reg or fixWLK.reg (or any others), you can delete these files now.
    5. 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.
    6. Go to add/remove programs and uninstall HijackThis.
    7. 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.
    8. If you are running Vista, Windows XP or Windows ME, do the below:
      • Refer to the cleaning procedures in step 3 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 ato create a new clean Restore Point.
    9. After doing the above, you should work thru the below link:
     

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