delet malware attached to winlogon.exe

New Strain of the VX2 malware

I have been fighting the VX2 bug for a week now. I have installed and ran the top cleaners. Spybot, RegFreez,A-Squared, Ad-Aware w/ VX2 Add-on, MS-Anti-Spyware, SpySubtract and HiJackThis. All of them seem to find different things and delete them appropriatly. ALL BUT ONE!.

I have been infected with a very smart version of the VX2 Bug.
The Vx2 Add-on in Ad-Aware finds it but cannot delete it.
The file is a .DLL located in the WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 directory. It renames itself on every reboot and is attached to the System Process Winlogon. I tried killing the Winlogon process but the system will not let me. Unfortunatly, Winlogon even runns when you boot into SAFE mode prompt only. Another interesting thing is that the bug seems to have messed with the directory stucture of WINDOWS\SYSTEM32. I booted into prompt mode from MS recovery CD and tried to delete it. The kernel could not enumerate the directory and bombed with an error. The .dll does not show up in regular windows session when looking in the directory. Attrib does nothing to help.
Shedders don't work either because the .dll is in use by the Winlogon process and the shredder schedules the deletion for the next reboot. ONly the bug renames itself when the system loads Winlogon and the shredder has nothing to delete when it runs.

Does anyone know of a real powerfull tool to repair damaged directory structures?
Can I start a process to delete the file BEFORE Winlogon is loaded?
Does any one know how I can kill the Winlogon process?
Any other ideas.

Thanks...Mark

 

Re: New Strain of the VX2 malware

Killing the winlogon process is not recommend as it will cause system instability and a forced shut down of your computer.

There are many ways of easily removing this new baddie.

Please follow the steps below:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/images/grenade.gif Run ALL the steps in this Sticky thread READ & RUN ME FIRST Before Asking for Support

• Make sure you check version numbers and get all updates.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/images/grenade.gif Very Important: Make sure you tell us the results from running the tutorial...was anything found? Were you unable to complete any of the scans?...Were you unable to download any of the tools?...Did you do the on-line scans as suggested? etc.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/images/grenade.gifAfter doing ALL of the above and you still have a problem, make sure you have booted to normal mode and run the steps in the below thread to properly use HijackThis and attach the log:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/images/grenade.gif Downloading, Installing, and Running HijackThis

 

Help after CHASLANG procedures

Preparation:
- Disabled Sytem Restore
- Unisnstalled all Spyware tools identified as "bad tools"
- Installed all the tools required in the caslang list.
- Made sure that only Norton Anti-Virus 2005 was installed

System Configuration:
- Windows XP Home Edition, Service Pack 1, current updates
- C: drive is primary boot drive with one partition
- D: drive is a special HP recovery partition

TARGET: The reason for this thread is to delete/disable/eliminate a .DLL file
identified by HJT and A-Squared VX2 Add-On. The .DLL is loaded at boot
under the winlogon.exe process. It renames/recreates itself at every boot
regardless of mode.

PASS 1 - Process of Elimination:
- Booted into SAFE mode w/ Networking.
- Ran BitDefender, full scan, 2hrs 42min, cleaned all items it found
- Ran Kaspersky, full scan, deleted all but nuclabdll.dll (deleted in pass 2)
- Ran Windows Security online, full scan, found wuauclt.dll (deleted in pass 2)
- Ran TrendMicro House Call, full scan, nothing found
- Panda scan failed to run, error on page??
- Ran Ad-Aware, full scan, cleaned all it found
- Ran Ad-Aware VX2 Ad-On, TARGET,DLL identified
- Ran A-Suared, full scan, fixed all it found

PASS 2 - Process of Elimination:
- DISCONNECTED THE CABLE CONNECTION TO THE MODEM.(to prevent TARGET from loading spyware)
- NO RE-BOOT
- Ran BitDefender, full scan, 2hrs 16min, cleaned all items it found
- Ran Kaspersky, full scan, nothing found
- Ran Ad-Aware, full scan, cleaned all it found
- Ran Ad-Aware VX2 Ad-On, TARGET,DLL identified
- Ran SpySubtract, full scan, fixed all it found
- Ran Spybot S&D, full scan, cleaned all it found
- Ran A-Squared, full scan, cleaned all it found
- Ran A-Squared HiJackFree Analysis, cleaned registry of all suspect entries identified.
- Deleted all references to TARGET.DLL in the registry

PASS 3 - Process of Elimination:
- DISCONNECTED THE CABLE CONNECTION TO THE MODEM.(to prevent TARGET from loading spyware)
- RE-BOOTED INTO SAFE MODE (NO NETWORK)
- Ran CCleaner (clean Only), several times
- Ran Ad-Aware, full scan, 1 negligable item cleaned
- Ran Ad-Aware VX2 Ad-On, TARGET,DLL identified
- Ran SpySubtract, full scan, no threats found
- Ran Spybot S&D, full scan, 2 problems identified and fixed
- Ran Microsoft Anti-Spyware, full scan, 35 min. 4 items found and cleaned.
I was prompted to Re-Start the system to complete cleaning process.
- Windows got stuck on shutdown, "Windows is shutting down..."
waited 10 minutes before I powered off the machine.
- It took 2 attempts to boot into SAFE Mode before the desktop loaded.

PASS 4 - Process of Elimination:
- DISCONNECTED THE CABLE CONNECTION TO THE MODEM.(to prevent TARGET from loading spyware)
- RE-BOOTED INTO SAFE MODE (NO NETWORK)
- Ran CWShredder, CollWebSearch was not found
- Ran Kill2me, not found on the system
- Ran CCleaner (clean Only), several times
- Ran Ad-Aware, full scan, 1 negligable item cleaned
- Ran Ad-Aware VX2 Ad-On, TARGET,DLL identified
- Ran SpySubtract, full scan, no threats found
- Ran Spybot S&D, full scan, no threats found
- Ran Microsoft Anti-Spyware, full scan, no threats found

PASS 5 - Process of Elimination:
- Final Re-Boot into SAFE MODE
- Windows had an error on Shutdown. C++ Runtime error - winlogon.exe
- I had to power off the machine and reboot into SAFE MODE.
- Ran HijackThis and the TARGET.DLL was indentified and could not be removed.
- Ran A-Squared VX2 Add-on tool, TARGET.DLL identifed.

CONCLUSION:
- My system is clean of all bad stuff except the TARGET.DLL
- The system sits turned off and disconnected from the net.
- If I connect to the internet with the TARGET.DLL loaded, It will quickly
fill the system with trojans, malware, an spyware of all kinds.
- I can not delete the TARGET.DLL because it is being used by winlogon.exe process.

- I have reviewed several other HJT logs posted in other threads and have seen the same entry with simular problems described.

- I await your expert advice on how to rid my system of this terrible beast.

Thank you for your assistance......Mark

 

Is there a way to delete malware attached to the winlogon process? I ahve followed all the procedures you have posted here. I have narrowed it down to this one bug. If I reconnect to the internet, this bug will begin a barage of downloads that will take days to get the system cleaned. Please help!!!

Thanks

 

Re: New Strain of the VX2 malware

mark pennington,

I have merged all of your threads together. Please do not start a new thread for this problem. Remain in this thread from now on!


Now, please download Spy Sweeper

• Click the link above to download the program.
• Install it. Once the program is installed, it will open.
• It will prompt you to update to the latest definitions, click Yes.
• Once the definitions are installed, click Options on the left side.
• Click the Sweep Options tab.
• Under What to Sweep please put a check next to the following:
  
  • Sweep Memory
  • Sweep Registry
  • Sweep Cookies
  • Sweep All User Accounts
  • Enable Direct Disk Sweeping
  • Sweep Contents of Compressed Files
  • Sweep for Rootkits
  • Please UNCHECK Do not Sweep System Restore Folder.
• Click Sweep Now on the left side.
• Click the Start button.
• When it's done scanning, click the Next button.
• Make sure everything has a check next to it, then click the Next button.
• It will remove all of the items found.
• Click Session Log in the upper right corner, copy everything in that window.
• Click the Summary tab and click Finish.
• Paste the contents of the session log you copied into notepad and save it as spysweeper.txt and attach it to your next post along with a fresh HJT log.

 

I appreciate you helping connect all my questions. I am new at forums.
I downloaded Spy Sweeper onto another PC on my network.
I installed it on the infected computer. I connected the WAN cable just long enough for the tool to download the definition updates. I Quickly disconnected the cable to prevent issues.

I ran the scan, checked all, and allowed it to fix. It asked for a reboot which I did after saving the session log and running HJT.

I have attached the logs to this message. HJK still identifies the dll.

Thanks..Mark

 

Download this trial version of Ewido Security Suite

• Install ewido security suite
• Launch ewido, there should be an icon on your desktop double-click it.
• The program will have a window come up. One of the buttons on the left is to Update. Click the Update button.and then Start the Update. The update will start and a progress bar will show the updates being installed.
• After it completes the update, click the Scanner button

Now exit Ewido. Now print the below instructions or save them locally because I want you do have no browsers opened and also have no connection to the internet (unplug your cable) while doing the below.

Okay, reboot into safe mode and follow the steps below. (If you have any problems at all trying to get into safe mode to complete these steps, just run them in normal boot mode and make sure you tell me when you come back.)

Open up Ewido and do the following:

• Click on Scanner
• Then click Settings
• Under What to Scan? Select Scan every file
• Then click OK
• Click on Complete System Scan and the scan will start.
• Let the program scan the machine

While the scan is in progress you will be prompted to clean files that are infected. Leave the defaults selections (to Remove and backup) and click OK. To save yourself some time, you can select Perform action with all infections and then click OK. With the option to scan every file, a lot of cookies will be removed.

Once the scan has completed, there will be a button located on the bottom of the screen named Save report

• Click Save report
• Save the report to your desktop or anyplace you will be able to find it to upload here.

Reboot into normal mode and reconnect to the internet.

Come back here and post the Ewido Scan Report along with a fresh HJT log.

 

Re: delete malware attached to winlogon.exe

BJ,

After running the Spy Sweeper scan it did ask me to reboot. A new screen displayed during the boot process that said "Early File Deletion" and then named the two offending .dlls that I was trying to get rid of. Apparantly Webroot found a good way to delete these files prior to any of the system processes starting.

Anyway, all of the problems have been cleaned from the system now and I am more than protected from any additional occurances. Keep up the good work fighting the battle.

Cheers...Mark.

 

To confirm your clean, attach a current HJT log from normal mode.

 

BJ,

Here is my current HJT log after running clean for 2 days.
SPY Seeper is catching the winsync windows\system32\rrwkwk.exe also.
I am not sure what that one is.

Thanks...Mark

 

Download Pocket KillBox
(Don't run it yet)

Scan with HijackThis and Check the Boxes for the following:

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = http=localhost:1043
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = ;;cgi*.ebay.com;disney.go.com;kw-premier.services.dallasnews.com;maps.fri scotexas.gov;msa_e1.ebay.com;ntreis.marketlinx.com;rhapsody_app*.listen.com;tax. co.tarrant.tx.us;www.dfwmaps.com;www.klty.com

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [winsync] C:\WINDOWS\System32\rrwkwo.exe reg_run

Make sure All Browser Windows are Closed when you Click FIX.

NEXT:
Run CCleaner to clean up cookies and temp files.


Locate PocketKillbox
(Procede with this step even if they do not show in blue)

Now, Copy and Paste C:\WINDOWS\System32\rrwkwo.exe into the box – If it exists, it will show up in Blue. Check the option to Delete on Reboot and Click the Red X and Yes to the confirmation message. A message will ask if you want to reboot now – Click NO.

Now, Copy and Paste C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.dll into the box – If it exists, it will show up in Blue. Check the option to Delete on Reboot and Click the Red X and Yes to the confirmation message. A message will ask if you want to reboot now – Click YES and allow your PC to reboot.

• If you get an error message about Pending Operations, just reboot your computer manually.

After you complete the above, download this trial version of Ewido Security Suite

• Install ewido security suite
• Launch ewido, there should be an icon on your desktop double-click it.
• The program will have a window come up. One of the buttons on the left is to Update. Click the Update button.and then Start the Update. The update will start and a progress bar will show the updates being installed.
• After it completes the update, click the Scanner button

Now exit Ewido. Now print the below instructions or save them locally because I want you do have no browsers opened and also have no connection to the internet (unplug your cable) while doing the below.

Okay, reboot into safe mode and follow the steps below. (If you have any problems at all trying to get into safe mode to complete these steps, just run them in normal boot mode and make sure you tell me when you come back.)

Open up Ewido and do the following:

• Click on Scanner
• Then click Settings
• Under What to Scan? Select Scan every file
• Then click OK
• Click on Complete System Scan and the scan will start.
• Let the program scan the machine

While the scan is in progress you will be prompted to clean files that are infected. Leave the defaults selections (to Remove and backup) and click OK. To save yourself some time, you can select Perform action with all infections and then click OK. With the option to scan every file, a lot of cookies will be removed.

Once the scan has completed, there will be a button located on the bottom of the screen named Save report

• Click Save report
• Save the report to your desktop or anyplace you will be able to find it to upload here.

Reboot into normal mode and reconnect to the internet.

Come back here and post the Ewido Scan Report along with a fresh HJT log.