Norcross PC has a Trojan

Hi,
my name is Scott and I have a Dell Inspiron running Vista that started having serious problems a few weeks ago. Initially, the PC was hijacked with a program that was requesting a fee for some sort of microsoft service update. I closed out the program and have run a number of anti virus programs. However, there is still something infecting the PC. I have run the requested processes, but there is still something nefarious lurking on the computer.

 

5th process file attached.

 

Hi! Welcome to Major Geeks!

I will be reviewing your logs. Please be patient as there is a lot of information to review

 

Hi, did you by chance uninstall Kaspersky prior to going through the
READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide ?

Also, are you having any problems with Desktop icons disappearing? Start menu blank? The reason I ask is because I noticed you ran ComboFix.exe from this folder:

This should have been run from the Desktop. If you aren't having any of the aforementioned symptoms, please download a new copy of ComboFix.exe and save it on your Desktop.

Now we need to use ComboFix to remove more malware

• 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 has expired or need to be updated to a new version, make sure you allow it to update.
• Open Notepad and copy/paste the text in the below quote box into it:

• 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.
• Now use your mouse to drag CFscript.txt on top of ComboFix.exe
• 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.

If after running Combofix you discover none of your programs will open up because you recieve the following error: Illegal operation attempted on a registry key that has been marked for deletion then you will need to reboot your computer which will normally fix this problem.
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:\ComboFix.txt
• C:\MGlogs.zip

 

thanks for taking a look at my problem logs. Kaspersky was uninstalled prior to running the Read & run first list of processes. However, the system seems to be holding onto some things that it shouldn't. I ran AVG a few times before reaching out to this board, and some how I now have old copies of AVG installed, that I can not uninstall. As for desktop icons disappearing, yes we had a number of items disappear when the problem first made itself known (they then showed up a few hours later - but looked like what an unhidden system file would appear as - kind of like a ghost of the original icon). It only happened that one time.
I ran Combofix per your instructions and roughly 12 hours later the Adminstrator: Autoscan screen is still up telling me that it is scanning for infected files and it should take about 10 minutes. It does not appear to have completed as there is no file named Combofix.txt on my PC. I did not go to the next step, as I wanted to wait for your instructions.

thanks,
Scott

 

Ok, we are going to remove any leftovers from Kaspersky, AVG, and malware within this next fix.

Now download The Avenger by Swandog46, and save it to your Desktop.

• 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!!
• Shut down your protection software now to avoid possible conflicts.
• 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 or Win7, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator).

Then attach the below logs:

• C:\avenger.txt
• C:\MGlogs.zip

 

ok, both of those ran. here are the two files.

once again, thank you for looking at this.

Scott

 

How is your PC running now?
Are you experiencing ANY problems such as hidden files, folders, Start Menu, Program Files?


I'd like to you to run the following:

Please download SystemLook from one of the links below and save it to your Desktop.
Download Mirror #1
Download Mirror #2

• Double-click SystemLook.exe to run it.
• Copy the content of the following codebox into the main textfield:
  
  Code:

  :filefind
  qyzhhsepth.tmp

• Click the Look button to start the scan.
• When finished, a notepad window will open with the results of the scan. Please post this log in your next reply.

Note: The log can also be found on your Desktop entitled SystemLook.txt

 

I don't see any problems where I can't find any folders or files. However, when i search for files via explore, the files that looked ghosted when the problems started are still ghosted (I can open each of them, the icons for them are just shaded lighter than similar files of the same type that were created later).

Attached is a copy of the systemlook file

Scott

 

I'm preparing another fix for you.

How is the PC running? Other than the files appearing ghosted/hidden? (we will address in the upcoming post)

 

Please download and save the below tool from Grinler @ bleepingcomputer 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. Do the files that you searched before through Explorer still appear ghosted/hidden?


Now download The Avenger by Swandog46, and save it to your Desktop.

• 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!!
• Shut down your protection software now to avoid possible conflicts.
• 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 or Win7, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator).

Then attach the below logs: and let me know how the computer is running now

• C:\MGlogs.zip

 

well the hidden items showed back up. the pc seems to be running fine, but i haven't done much with it.

I attached the mglog and the avenger files in case you needed both

thanks

Scott

 

Goto the below link and follow the instructions for running TDSSKiller from Kaspersky

• TDSSkiller - How to run

Be sure to attach your log from TDSSKiller

Also please also download MBRCheck to your desktop

• 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:\MGlogs.zip

 

Things must be getting close.
I have attached the three files.

thanks for you continued help

Scott

 

Have you restart your PC since the previous fix? If not, please do so now before continuing...

Once you've rebooted your PC...

Now we need get into the Device Manager. Here are a couple of methods to do this, try Method #1 first. If you aren't successful, try Method #2.

Method #1:
Right Mouse click on the My Computer icon and select Manage from the list
http://www.checkcomputersetup.com/files/shrink/vista_my_computer_manage.jpeg


Method #2
Select the Start menu at the bottom-left of your screen.
Choose Control Panel.
Choose Device Manager

Once in the Device Manager...
Click the View at the top of this window
From the drop-down menu, select Show Hidden Devices
Use the below picture to assist you:
http://www.oracle-base.com/articles/11g/images/11gR1RACWindows/23-DeviceManagerHiddenDevices.jpg

Please scroll down to Non-Plug and Play Drivers
Search for and DISABLE the following from this list, if present: vtgblm
Disable the driver by right mouse clicking it once, and selecting Disable
It should now have a red X over the icon
Please exit out of the Device Manager

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.

If you did not knowingly install Coupon Printer for Windows... Please uninstall it from the Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel


The following files appeared around the time of your infection (july 2nd - july 5th). Please .zip these files up for us to review and attach the .zip file here.

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:

• .zip you created
• C:\MGlogs.zip

 

I went to device manager and vtgblm was not a listed item, so I didn't do anything there.

I ran MGtools\analyse.exe, and it removed the four items you listed

Couponprinter is something my wife did, so it is fine.

I don't have the ability to zip a file, but I did open one of the text files. It looks to be AVG logs from when I first started to try and fix the program over the 4th of July weekend. One of the processes I tried was AVG (which needed a few updates). I copied a sample line from the text file below:

[AVG8.WD] INFO 2011-07-05 16:11:49,956 LAURAALVIS-PC PID:440 THID:452 ID:{786290AE-DB52-44af-A720-FC1CB29FEE74}:2662.401.106255 MSG:*

the MGtools.zip log is posted.

Let me know if you think need to examine the commonpriv logs. I might be able to figure out a way to get the file zipped.

Once again, thank you for reviewing this.
Scott

 

Now download The Avenger by Swandog46, and save it to your Desktop.

• 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!!
• Shut down your protection software now to avoid possible conflicts.
• 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.

Then attach the following log:

• C:\avenger.txt

Be sure to tell me what malware problems you are still having (if any) when you post!

 

I'm not sure if I am still having any problems. the PC seems to be working a lot better. the only things that could be considered issues are:
1. my printer drivers seems to be all out of whack - when my wife prints anything, the underlying code also prints out.
2. after i just ran avenger, a cmd.exe box popped up telling me that there is no disk in the drive (first time I have ever seen that)

The requested file has been posted

thanks

Scott

 

This isn't malware related. This is something you may want to ask in the Software forums.

This is just something that happens (sometimes) when using Avenger. Nothing to be concerned about.

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, 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 if it present
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:
    • How to Protect yourself from malware!

 

I wanted to take one last time to thank you for your assistance with solving my pc problem.

Scott

 

You're welcome, Scott

Surf safely!