Startup entries reappear after being deleted

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by kestrelgk, Jan 14, 2010.

  1. kestrelgk

    kestrelgk Private E-2

    Hello,

    There are a couple of entries in my startup that I cannot remove permanently. I can uncheck them using msconfig, but after a restart, they are checked again. I have used "RegSeeker" to remove them and they automagically reappear. I have used regedit to remove them from the registry and they again reappear. I have used "HijackThis" (result below) to remove and this fails too.

    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [haneyudamu] Rundll32.exe "C:\WINDOWS\system32\tevejadi.dll",s
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [acdcf538] rundll32.exe "C:\WINDOWS\system32\yuyuzefi.dll",b

    These seem to be residual from an attempted malware nearly a year ago, but I believe this was detected and eliminated. The above .dll files are not on my computer, but the references to them just keep reappearing in the registry and starup menu. My system is Windows XP and I use Norton antivirus.

    I read through the Malware removal procedure in the ReadMe post. I have done some of the things previously (before coming to this forum site) that are described, but not the complete gamut or using all the tools described. Would a rigorous use of your procedures be helpful?

    I see no other evidence of any problems. Any ideas how to get rid of these items or what causes them to reappear after being deleted?

    Thanks,
    G. Kuhn
     
  2. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    Yes please. If I am to assist you I will need to see a complete set of logs from running the malware removal procedures which I will link to below for reference:


    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 other 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. kestrelgk

    kestrelgk Private E-2

    Kestrel13,

    Thank you for your willingness to help!

    I went through the steps outlined in the Malware Removal Guide and was able to remove the problem startup entries. I am attaching some of the logs/results from the various cleaning procedures. Here is a brief discussion of what happened with each procedure:

    1. SuperAntiSpyware detected 8 items. I viewed the items and determined that 5 of them were G77 FORTRAN executables generated on my PC and 2 were files associated with a graphing and statistics program that I installed. I decided not to remove these items even thought they could have been restored. The other item (first in log file) was not clear to me so had it removed. I believe that it was the activation/registration information for the XP operating system, because upon reboot, I had to go through that process. Has this ever happened before? Log attached.

    2. Malwarebytes detected 3 items including those of interest--removed. Log attached.

    3. Combofix ran okay, but not sure what results indicate. Log attached.

    4. RootRepeal took an inordinate amount of time and after about 2 hours I decided to cancel the scan. No info in log file--not attached.

    5. MGtools ran okay--Logs attached.

    The bogus startup entries are gone now--Thank you for your assistance. My next step is to read through the "How to Protect yourself from malware" and implement a few of the suggestions, including one of the free firewall programs to replace Windows firewall. I just renewed Norton antivirus, but will consider using one of the free versions too, now or at a later date. If you have an additional suggestions or comments, please let me know.

    Thanks again,
    G. Kuhn


     

    Attached Files:

  4. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    1. Before we continue please use msconfig if you haven't already to put this machine into normal start up mode.


    2. Please go to add/remove prograns and uninstall the below because it is outdated now.

    HijackThis 1.99.1

    3. You have spybot S&D's Teatimer function running. You will need to disable it before we continue to prevent it from interfering with the fix.

    How to disable Spybot's TeaTimer



    4. 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 needs to update to a new version, make sure you allow it to update.
    • Open Notepad and copy/paste the text in the below quote box. Ensure you scroll down to select ALL the lines:
    Code:
    
    KILLALL::
    
    File::
    c:\program files\temp995.bat
    C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\SET549.tmp
    C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\SET625.tmp
    C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\SET6E7.tmp
    C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\SET7A3.tmp
    
    
    • 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

      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.

    5. Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it. Then attach the new C:\MGlogs.zip file that will be created by running this and also attach the log from Combofix.

    6. Let us know of any problems you may have encountered with the above instructions and also let me know how things are running now! Are you still having any malware issues?
     
  5. kestrelgk

    kestrelgk Private E-2

    kestrel13,

    I followed the steps as you described, partially. I have to apologize for some mistakes I made. When the errant startup entries were "removed" during the initial clean process, I jumped to the conclusion that things were fixed. Therefore, I decided to move on to the next phase, including removal of some of the cleaning tools and deletion of the logs and other files. I now realize that was a bad decision and I completely understand if you want to end this thread now. Part of the reason for my action is (1) I didn't fully understand the help process and the potential depth of the analysis and solution and (2) I don't like keeping excess files on the drives. During the time between my post regarding the initial cleaning process and your post detailing the second step, (while I was "moving on"), the bad startup entries reappeared. I was willing to accept the results of my mistake and just let it go.

    Your post for the second cleaning procedure made me realize that there was more to it than the initial cleaning and that my hasty actions were even more profound. Perhaps you are willing to proceed regardless of my mistakes?

    I tried to back up to the initial cleaning:
    1. Reran the Malwarebytes program--it found the bad registry entries again.
    2. Reran combofix per the XP cleaning guide.
    3. Reran MGtools per the XP cleaning guide.

    Then I followed the instructions in your post for the second procedure; however, I forgot to disable TeaTimer before running combofix. I don't know if the file pointers you listed for the CFscript.txt were recreated or correct, or if a running TeaTimer caused interference. The logs are attached. Again I do apologize for my lack of patience and understanding and I am willing to accept the consequences.

    G. Kuhn
     

    Attached Files:

  6. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    1. Please go to Jotti's malware scan

    (If more than one file needs scanned they must be done separately and logs posted for each one)
    • Copy the file path in the below Code box:
      Code:
      c:\windows\{148E33CC-4C0C-427A-8AE5-1DAC5C2E5950}.dat
    • At the upload site, click once inside the window next to Browse.
    • Press Ctrl+V on the keyboard (both at the same time) to paste the file path into the window.
    • Next click Submit file
    • Your file will possibly be entered into a queue which normally takes less than a minute to clear.
    • This will perform a scan across multiple different virus scanning engines.
    • Important: Wait for all of the scanning engines to complete.
    • Once the scan is finished, Copy and then Paste the link in the address bar into your next reply.

    Then do the same for the below files and also let me know the results:

    Code:
    c:\windows\{04A935D7-B9A7-4DFC-957E-576755A4DC7F}.dat
    c:\windows\{0C3E6E62-B83D-4423-B684-E1D6AAA5E44B}.dat
    c:\windows\{140B66DA-BFE3-4682-84A4-976B03195AE8}.dat
    2. Now Copy the bold text below to notepad. 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.

    3. Let me know the jotti results on those files.
     
  7. kestrelgk

    kestrelgk Private E-2

  8. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    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 used Pocket Killbox during your cleanup, do the below
      • Run Pocket Killbox and select File, Cleanup, Delete All Backups
    3. 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.
    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 Vista, Windows XP or Windows ME, do the below:
      • Refer to the cleaning procedures in step 3 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:
     
  9. kestrelgk

    kestrelgk Private E-2

    Dear kestrel13,

    Thanks for staying with me on this! Just have one additional question: Any benefit in running TeaTime?

    G. Kuhn
     
  10. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    Teatimer can be a resource hog, but the benefits of having it running

    It is up to you whether you use it or not. I do not personally even have S&D installed on any of my machines.
     
  11. kestrelgk

    kestrelgk Private E-2

    Thanks for the info regarding TeaTimer. Hope you don't mind, I have an additional question. I would like to have a better understanding of the malware problem that you helped fix.

    I can recall having this malware/virus attack early last year and it was detected by Norton antivirus. Seems like it was quarantined/removed, but apparently some part of it remained somewhere in the computer? This 'bug" would write startup entries into the registry, but the requested files were not there. When the startup entries were deleted (by a number of methods), the startup entry would be rewritten? Where, more or less, was the malware code that would cause the startup entry to "reappear?"

    Perhaps the explanation may be to complex for my simple understanding, or perhaps it's not something you do--That's okay. I didn't think this malware problem on my PC was having a noticeable effect on performance or available resources--What do you think? Nevertheless, I am thankful for it to be gone. What might have gone wrong during the initial attack and removal for a "part" of it to remain?

    Thanks,
     
  12. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    Often one scan does not find everything hence we have users download and run a selection of tools. Sometimes the fixes we give you uncover other things that are hiding and then we can deal with them accordingly.
     

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