recurrent malware

Discussion in 'Malware Help - MG (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by Dan53, Aug 29, 2011.

  1. Dan53

    Dan53 Private E-2

    I have a recurring malware problem on my HP notebook running Win XP Pro 32 bit with Symantec Endpoint Protection.

    First noticed some dodgy browser behavior..I could click in the address bar or search bar and it didn't "take", I would have to click 2 or 3 times to be able to type in these fields. Soon after this started Symantec popped up a message saying it detected Trojan.Gen.2. The log file shows it in C:\Recycle.Bin\ I have no such folder, as far as I can see. Symantec said the problem was quarantined. I then ran a full scan with MalwareBytes which turned up a registry key for Trojan.Spyeyes pointing to an .exe file also in folder C:\Recycle.Bin\

    Subsequent scans of Symantec and MalwareBytes later that day were clean.

    Since then several MalwareBytes quick scans will find:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\4Y3Y0C3AUF7XWA7DXRHTU (Trojan.SpyEyes)

    It will report this as quarantined and deleted successfully, but that registry key keeps showing up after it is removed. Quick scans of Symantec show nothing. Full scans of Symantec usually come up with Trojan.Gen.2 in ...\Application Data\Sun\Java\Deployment\Cache\

    Then I began following the instructions here at majorgeeks:
    I ran SuperAntiSpyware, it found no memory threats, no registry threats, and file threats were only Adware.Tracking Cookies.

    MalwareBytes again found and removed:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\4Y3Y0C3AUF7XWA7DXRHTU (Trojan.SpyEyes)

    ComboFix: I don't know what I'm looking for in the ComboFix log, but the thing that strikes me as odd is "c:\docume~1\user1\LOCALS~1\Temp\MHJOWDV.exe". I notice this in the list of running services with no description, listed as Manual Startup. When I go look in this directory I find no such file.

    Other logs attached.

    Thanks much for any help.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Please re-run ComboFix and get me a new log.

    In the meantime:

    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.


    Now be sure to empty your recycle bin!!

    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 log:

    • C:\MGlogs.zip

    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!
     
  3. Dan53

    Dan53 Private E-2

    Thanks for the help. I re-ran ComboFix and I am attaching the log.

    When I run analyse.exe there is no such line for HKCU. Maybe it was removed by ComboFix (it is listed under Orphans Removed in the ComboFix log)?

    This registry key keeps coming back after being removed by MalwareBytes. Should I follow the rest of your instructions if/when it comes back? Or skip the analyse.exe step and continue with the rest of your instructions?
     

    Attached Files:

  4. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    You can skip the analyse exe portion, but continue on with the rest of the instructions.
     
  5. Dan53

    Dan53 Private E-2

    I created and ran the fixME.reg and received the success message that the registry was updated.

    I emptied the Recycle Bin.

    I ran GetLogs.bat, but after it had run I realized I hadn't turned off the Symantec antivirus so I turned it off and re-ran GetLogs.bat, I hope that didn't mess anything up. Logs are attached.

    No sign of malware at this point. Based on my peeks into HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Run that rogue key was recurring randomly, sometimes within half an hour of removing it (with MalwareBytes) and sometimes not for a full day.

    One more Q: Should I disable or otherwise do something about the Service named MHJOWDV that has no description and has an executable that doesn't exist, in a temp directory?
     

    Attached Files:

  6. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    It's looking much better. Let's just do this:

    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.

    * 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::
    MHJOWDV
    
    File::
    C:\DOCUME~1\dhedges\LOCALS~1\Temp\MHJOWDV.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 tell me how things are running. :)
     
  7. Dan53

    Dan53 Private E-2

    Before I did anything I peeked in the registry and that key we don't like is back:
    HKCU\..\Run: [4Y3Y0C3AUF7XWA7DXRHTU] C:\Recycle.Bin\B6232F3A47B.exe /q

    Based on your advice so far I plan to go back a step and:
    1) turn off virus protection
    2) exit the browser, then use HJT to fix the HKCU\... key
    3) run the fixME.reg again from your earlier post
    4) empty the recycle bin
    5) run HJT to fix O23 - Service: MHJOWDV - Unknown owner ...
    6) drag CFscript.txt on top of ComboFix.exe, follow prompts
    7) run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat
    8) post MGLogs.zip back here

    I left out most of the warnings for brevity but I will heed them along the way.
     
  8. Dan53

    Dan53 Private E-2

    Ran steps as outlined above. I got the success message after running fixME.reg. Here is the ComboFix log.
     

    Attached Files:

  9. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    How are things running now?
     
  10. Dan53

    Dan53 Private E-2

    So far so good. No signs of the trojan registry key or the unknown process, and the browser works normally.
     
  11. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Let me know if you have any more problems.

    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.We recommend them for doing backup scans when you suspect a malware infection.
    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:


    Malware removal from a National Chain = $149
    Malware removal from MajorGeeks = $0

    Help Support MajorGeeks
    Buy Discounted Software @ Majorgeeks Store. Giveaways Too!

    Majorgeeks Geek Wear. Hats, T-Shirts, Hoodies

    MajorGeeks on FaceBook
     
  12. Dan53

    Dan53 Private E-2

    It's back. I checked the registry shortly after I booted up the machine today and found:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\4Y3Y0C3AUF7XWA7DXRHTU

    Again showing C:\Recycle.Bin\B6232F3A47B.exe /q

    MalwareBytes still reports this as Trojan.SpyEyes
     
  13. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

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

    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.

    Now empty the recycle bin.

    Run ComboFix

    Then if you have already removed MGTools, download the latest version of MGtools and run the exe. Attach the new log.
     
  14. Dan53

    Dan53 Private E-2

    I disabled Symantec Anti-Virus, created and ran fixME.reg ran and I received the message that it was successful.

    I ran ComboFix, log attached. I ran MGTools.exe, logs attached.

    I left the Symantec window open while MGTools was running and at some point during the MGTools scan Symantec turned itself back on, or something turned it on. I did not touch the keyboard or the mouse during either scan so it wasn't something I did.

    I just looked in the registry, this key is still there:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\4Y3Y0C3AUF7XWA7DXRHTU
     

    Attached Files:

  15. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    I don't know why this keeps returning. I may need to confer with my colleagues. In the meantime:

    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:
    NOTE: HJT may popup an error about the AppInit_DLLs line. Ignore it and click OK to continue.

    After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

    * 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::
    
    File::
    c:\recycle.bin\B6232F3A47B.exe
    
    Registry::
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
    "4Y3Y0C3AUF7XWA7DXRHTU"=-
    
    
    * 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 log:

    • C:\MGlogs.zip

    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!
     
  16. Dan53

    Dan53 Private E-2

    Clean so far after 2 hours of normal use and 1 reboot.
     

    Attached Files:

  17. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Well, keep me posted. And try not to visit any of the websites that may have caused this infection. ;)
     

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