Don't Think I Have any Malware, but Windows Cannot Update

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by dood1emom, Jul 22, 2010.

  1. dood1emom

    dood1emom Private E-2

    Hello Geeks,

    You guys/gals were awesome last year helping me to get rid of infection. Try to always practice safe-surfing.

    Anyways, no real indication of malware, but as of July Windows cannot update sucessfully (I am working w/MS, but no solution yet). I have also been working towards a resolution for AVG-Slow IE Tab Closing in the software forums (TeeCee and Brandypeppy have been terrific!)

    Ran all procedures noted in WinXP Cleaning. Nothing really seems to be found, except ComboFix appears to have done some minor housecleaning. Am not sure RootRepeal ran correctly; it wouldn't let me select drives to scan.

    I am attaching logs, plus a two screenshots for someone with more knowledge than me.

    Reason for screenshot - a few weeks ago I ran the Trend Micro HouseCall scanner - it found an "activate.exe" in my C:\Program Files\Support Tools folder. Thought it was just a false-positive, but I noticed that the icon is slightly different? No scans have picked up on the file.

    Also posting a screenshot of Add/Remove programs - don't remember ever noticing Internet Explorer (Enable DEP) before?

    thank you,
    dood1emom
     

    Attached Files:

  2. dood1emom

    dood1emom Private E-2

    Here is the MGlogs and my screenshots. I don't think I've found any malware, but appreciate the once-over from the forum just to be sure it isn't causing my WinUpdate headache.

    many thanks,
    dood1emom
     

    Attached Files:

  3. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Let's start with this, though I am not sure it will fix your issues.

    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:
    After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

    Now copy just the bold text below to notepad (Do not include any space above the word REGEDIT). 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.


    * 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 needs to update to a new version, make sure you allow it to update.
    * Open Notepad and copy/paste the text in the below code box into it (make sure you scroll all the way down in the code box to get all lines selected ):
    Code:
    KILLALL::
    
    Driver::
    GPCCFGEVA
    JCOSGTTANGJRHGQA
    SPEPTVSSG
    TFMQNJZOFLH
    ZYKS
    
    File::
    c:\docume~1\HP_ADM~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\ZYKS.exe
    c:\docume~1\HP_ADM~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\TFMQNJZOFLH.exe
    c:\docume~1\HP_ADM~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\SPEPTVSSG.exe
    c:\docume~1\HP_ADM~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\JCOSGTTANGJRHGQA.exe
    c:\docume~1\HP_ADM~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\GPCCFGEVA.exe
    
    * 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.
    If it asks you to overide the previous file with the same name, click YES.
    * Now use your mouse to drag CFscript.txt on top of ComboFix.exe
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/sUBs/CFScriptB-4.gif
    * 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.

    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:\ComboFix.txt
    * C:\MGlogs.zip

    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!
     
  4. dood1emom

    dood1emom Private E-2

    Hi TimW,

    All went well until ComboFix. BSOD (mmpool) near the end; I no longer see the CFscript.txt file on desktop. Should I recreate the file and try again? Or restore system and try to redo? My "search" for files seems to be stuck in loop while trying to locate files?

    Thanks,
    doodl1emom
     
  5. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Let's try a different route.

    Download The Avenger by Swandog469, and save it to your Desktop.

    * Extract+ avenger.exe from the Zip file and save it to your desktop

    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!

    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:\MGlogs.zip

    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!
     
  6. dood1emom

    dood1emom Private E-2

    Ran Avenger. Upon reboot I am receiving "Windows No Disk c0000013" error.

    Here are Avenger & MGlogs.

    thx,
    dood1emom
     

    Attached Files:

  7. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    One more time to clean out some junk.

    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:
    After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

    Now copy just the bold text below to notepad (Do not include any space above the word REGEDIT). 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.


    * 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!

    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:\MGlogs.zip

    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!
     
  8. dood1emom

    dood1emom Private E-2

    Hi TimW,

    Here are logs. Everything ran just fine. No go still on WinUpdate. MS support requested that I install manually in SafeMode. Somehow this problem is related to my prior malware misfortunes last fall. PC Help & Support hasn't run "right" since. Attaching screenshot to show you error message recieved during SafeMode attempt. Am also passing on to MS support.

    Thank you again,
    dood1emom
     

    Attached Files:

  9. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    To try to reinstall your Help and Support Center, try this FIX.

    If that doesn't work, you will need to post in the software forum.

    I am not seeing any malware in your system. 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 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 of 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, 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:

     
  10. dood1emom

    dood1emom Private E-2

    Hi TimW,

    Sorry, I temporarily abandoned this forum - I have been working with MS Support to get the WinUpdate issue resolved. I have not attempted the PC Health and Support Fix nor closed out the anti-malware apps. I am waiting for MS Support to let me know if the update issue has finally been resolved.

    MS requested that I use their OneCare Live Scan and it found a few issues that I am not sure what they are. It seems as if I may have picked up some trojans while working as a admin user to solve the WinUpdate issue; I am not sure if these are false-positives? Your expertise is appreciated.

    OneCare Scan found two trojans: Java:mugademel.a and also trojan downloader:java openconnection.em, and also a COM/ActiveX issue. Spybot, AVG and MBAM are not finding these; I am attaching a screenshot. MBAM did find trojan.zapchast in two System Volume Information files, which I had MBAM remove. These issues were not present during my earlier scans. I am attaching the MBAM log also. I do not seem to have any problems or mysterious redirects, or web page hijackings but I do seem to be running a little high on CPU useage lately.

    Thank you for your input,
    dood1emom
     

    Attached Files:

  11. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    What MBAM found can only be removed by toggling system restore. Since this thread is getting close to a month old, I would appreciate it if you re-ran all the scanning tools and attached the new logs for:
    SAS
    ComboFix
    C:\MGLogs.zip from running the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file.
     
  12. dood1emom

    dood1emom Private E-2

    Hi TimW,

    Thank you for all the help - I know I needed to run scans, but didn't have time.

    1. I am finishing up with MS Support concerning WinUpdate issue - I currently have turned off Automatic Updates until I am instructed by MS to turn back on. I think the update issue may finally be rectified.

    2. MS requested an SAS scan earlier today - it found and quarantined Trojan.Agent/Gen-CDesc[Gen] located in C:\PROGRAM FILES\COREL\COREL PAINT SHOP PRO PHOTO X2\PYTHON LIBRARIES\LIB\DISTUTILS\COMMAND\WININST-7.1.EXE and also Trojan.Agent/Gen-CDesc[Gen] located in C:\SYSTEM VOLUME INFORMATION\_RESTORE{106CF321-99A3-4E3A-9103-1BD027606A99}\RP178\A0052062.EXE.

    Is the Corel thing a false positive?? Can't turn anything up about it.

    3. I toggled and reset the SystemRestore before running all procedures in the Read&Run 1st Instructions. Prior MS requested MBAM logs were noting 2 Files Infected:

    C:\System Volume nformation\_restore{106CF321-99A3-4E3A-9103-1BD027606A99}\RP143\A0038265.exe (Trojan.Zapchast) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

    C:\System Volume Information\_restore{106CF321-99A3-4E3A-9103-1BD027606A99}\RP147\A0041405.exe (Trojan.Zapchast) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

    4. All scans ran smoothly. Am attaching logs. Nothing seemed amiss, however, MS also requested that I run their OneCare Safety scanner a few days ago and it found Trojan DownLoader Java OpenConnection.EM and Java:mugademel.a Trojan both located in Sun\Java\Deployment\cach\6.0 files as I mentioned in my prior post. I am not sure if they are something to be concerned about or just potential vulnerabilities that MS is identifying?

    5. No luck repairing my PC Help and Support via the link you gave me - get an "installation failed" notification. Will pursue in Software Support forum.

    Thank you again for bearing with me!
    dood1emom
     

    Attached Files:

  13. dood1emom

    dood1emom Private E-2

    Last Log to Attach. Oh forgot, MG tools hit a minor glitch, but seemed to finish up and generate logs. Sending shot of error just in case.

    thank you,
    dood1emom
     

    Attached Files:

  14. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Your logs are clean. I suggest you go ahead and post in the software forum.

    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 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 of 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, 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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