Re-directed after Mucho Cleano - Stealthy Hijack Will Not Go Away!

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by Mogombus, Jun 3, 2010.

  1. Mogombus

    Mogombus Private E-2

    Ok here goes,

    A girlfriend of mine un-installed her antivirus and her XP PC got loaded up with all sorts of Nasties. Now being a total software dude for many a year and having considerable experience at malware cleanup I naturally decided to help her out. Got rid of tons of stuff using the usual methods / tools, but it still has one re-director going on that NOTHING I MEAN NOTHING IS DETECTING!

    I did the steps in MajorGeeks readme in order and a few other things for good measure (in my mind).

    A> All temp files removed, CCleaner and ATF-cleaner. (w/msconfig turned off all startups, it IS in normal startup mode).
    B> Ran ComboFix in safe mode
    - it found and removed several nasties, no root-kits
    C> Installed MSE and did full scan
    - it found and removed / fixed a few more nasties
    D> Ran Previx3.0 it came up Clean
    RESULT: Still getting re-directed and more malware was dropped in and re-activated over a day or so, MSE got disabled.
    OK so I do A through D again, but this time add
    E> SuperAntiSpywareRemover to the end of the process. Sure nuff, it finds a few goodies and removes / sequesters them best it can.
    Now at this point MSE finds nothing on complete scan, Previx comes up clean
    RESULT: Same as above, redirector kicks in and more payload dropped onto system over a day or so.

    So now I go for a BitDefender 2010 bootable CD linux flavor that does a painfully thorough scan and it finds three threats and quarantiens them.

    OK I start over and go A through E and this time I add:
    F> Now I install HiJackThis and run the logfile through an analyzer, sure enough it finds a proxy that all the others missed. I nix that and a few other items as recommended by the http://www.hijackthis.de/en analyzer.

    RESULT: Still getting redirector, usually hits hxxp://seek.ind.in site this damn thing does.
    G> consisted of A through F above plus using HJT to remove all BHO's. This seemed promising for a while, but guess what, redirection came back.

    Well, now I'm home and I'm not at the problem computer now, but I did bring the HJT log file that is what's left after I really truely did A through F above.

    Previx, ComboFix, MSE, MalwareBytes, SuperAntiSpywareRemover BitDefender boot from CD scan and HJT all FAIL TO EVEN SEE this infection when run in succession! This is one stealthy unknown lurker, what ever the hayell it is.

    Anyone care to have a gander at the HJT log?
    (I didn't bring the latest ComboFix log with me when I left her place, darn it!)

    I won't be able to get back at her computer for a couple days.

    Thanks in advance...
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 4, 2010
  2. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Welcome to Major Geeks!

    Please read ALL of this message including the notes before doing anything.

    Pleases 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 updates for SUPERAntiSpyware and 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 SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes while logged into this aother user account. Then reboot and see if you can log into the problem user account. If you can then run SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, ComboFix and MGtools on the infected account as requested in the instructions.
    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. Mogombus

    Mogombus Private E-2

    Thanks for responding - I was able to get the XP machine over to my house and followed the MG How To directions to a T.

    Some stuff was uncovered on by SuperAntiSpyware and reportedly removed. However no browser connectivity after SASware, even did the 'repair network connection' tool step but still no love. I can ping www.google.com from command line and IP looks fine, but Chrome, IE and Yahoo browsers all fail to load a page now.

    I wen on and did the MWB which turned up a couple other items to fix (logs attached).

    Next did ComboFix which had an easy go of it (see logs).

    RootRepeal.exe hates this computer! It would not get past 'Initializing Please Wait'. I waited 20 minutes only to find ctrl-alt-del would not activate taskmgr, couldn't get any responses. Had to hard boot. Tried again but interrupted it sooner and got some 'Memory...' and 'Virtual Memory...' messages while trying to get free of RR (is this loading the worlds largest array into memory?) Tried RR again in safe mode, same results.

    OK so on to MGTools. Ran and it seemed to run as advertised.

    My XP system's current state is - boots into Explorer fine, gets a good IP (from my Linksys Router on Cox Cable) and can ping out, but browsers all say 'Web Page Not Available' and can't load content. :(

    What's next Sir / Madam?

    Thanks in advance!
     

    Attached Files:

  4. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    You need to put ComboFix.exe on the Desktop as we stated. You ran it from the below which is not correct nor acceptable for any future steps.
    Running from: j:\scanners\ComboFix.exe


    For your issue with connecting to the internet, check to see if it is due to what is mentioned in the below:
    Proxy Server - Changing Settings


    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:

    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = http=127.0.0.1:5555
    O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [DWQueuedReporting] "c:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\DW\dwtrig20.exe" -t (User 'SYSTEM')
    O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [DWQueuedReporting] "c:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\DW\dwtrig20.exe" -t (User 'Default user')
    O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2\bin\npjpi142.dll
    O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2\bin\npjpi142.dll

    After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

    Now uninstall the below old versions of software:
    Java 2 Runtime Environment, SE v1.4.2

    Now we need to use ComboFix
    • 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.


    After reboot, now install the current version of Sun Java from: Sun Java Runtime Environment

    Now run Ccleaner. Only use the Run Cleaner button. Do not run anything else on any other forms.

    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!
     
  5. Mogombus

    Mogombus Private E-2

    OK, I followed your detailed directions. Impressive analysis for sure!

    Attached are the logs.

    I've seen other threads where where you instruct switches / parameters be dropped onto combofix.exe. Fascinating tool(s) you guys apply here -- really masterful understanding of config garnering methods not to mention knowing how to remediate once the scene has been investigated.
     

    Attached Files:

  6. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    You're welcome and thanks! Your logs are clean.


    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.
    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:
     
  7. Mogombus

    Mogombus Private E-2

    Thanks Chaslang -- all good now!

    I'm going to put you in for a medal.

    - Mogombus

    I can't help but want to review the logfiles generated, this has taught me a lot but I need to study this a bit more cause I have a tendency to WAG things.
     
  8. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    You're welcome. Surf safely!
     

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