svchost.exe application error- malware?

Discussion in 'Malware Help - MG (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by mccarthitect, Feb 23, 2012.

  1. mccarthitect

    mccarthitect Private E-2

    I'm new here. I'm not sure what I clicked (on a normally safe and reliable architecture/design website that I visit all the time) but since then one particular svchost.exe process uses up most of the CPU RAM causing various application errors. I eventually have to shut down. This only happens when connected to the our office (3 computers) network and the internet. When disconnected the machine works fine.

    I followed the cleaning procedure, but no malware was found. It certainly seems like malware. I attached 4 of 5 logs. I have a Root Repeal log, just don't know how to attach a 5th file.

    I tried Process Explorer but couldn't glean anything. The particular svchost process is the one with the all the (system?) files.

    Windows XP Pro, Service Pack 3, IE browser.

    Any help will be much appreciated
     

    Attached Files:

  2. mccarthitect

    mccarthitect Private E-2

    Root repeal log attached
     

    Attached Files:

  3. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Not finding much in the way of malware. I am guessing that the svchost process is some how related to your network.

    Let's do this:
    * 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:
    ClearJavaCache::
    KILLALL::
    File::
    C:\WINDOWS\Tasks\At1.job
    C:\WINDOWS\Tasks\At2.job
    C:\WINDOWS\Tasks\At3.job
    C:\WINDOWS\Tasks\At4.job
    
    
    * 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.

    Note: If after running Combofix you discover none of your programs will open up, and you recieve the following error: "Illegal operation attempted on a registry key that has been marked for deletion". Then the answer is to REBOOT the machine, and all will be corrected.

    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!
     
  4. mccarthitect

    mccarthitect Private E-2

    Tim:
    Thanks for the help.
    I did exactly as you instructed. Actually twice. The first time with the network cable unplugged and the second time plugged in. I attached the two logs from the second, connected, run.

    Unfortunately the problem still exists. The ComboFix and MGTools processes seemed to take longer the second time too.

    I rebooted a short while ago and watched on Task Manager the svchost process in question steadily climb from 25K to 600K (as I type this) while still climbing. The CPU Usage % swings between 70-100%.
     

    Attached Files:

  5. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    I am not finding any malware in your logs. However, I am curious as to what this is:
    C:\WINDOWS\nqueue.ini


    You may need to search for PID 1152. That seems to be the process that is taking so much memory. It would be best if you post in the software forum for further assistance.
     
  6. mccarthitect

    mccarthitect Private E-2

    'm not sure how to search for PID 1152. In task manager the svchost process (at least today) that is the issue is PID 1088 and I don't see a PID 1152. I'll post this in the software forum and see what develops. Thanks again for the assistance.
     
  7. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    You are welcome. But you didn't answer my question about that file. Do you know what it is? Right click it and check the properties.
     
  8. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    It is a text file and text files do not have useful properties info like binary files. This ini file along with the others which you could have also questioned:
    Code:
    bzupdate.ini  Jan 24 2012         229  "BzUpdate.ini"
    hserver.ini   Jan 24 2012         225  "hserver.ini"
    job.ini       Jan 24 2012          49  "Job.ini"
    job.xml       Jan 24 2012      146609  "job.xml"
    nqueue.ini    Jan 24 2012        1504  "nqueue.ini"
    all belong to Repro Desk Server 1.6 ;)
     
  9. mccarthitect

    mccarthitect Private E-2

    It has no propeties to speak of.
    1.46 KB, no info in the summary dialog box, and when I open it in Notepad it's an empty window.

    Curiously, I used to have ReproDesk installed on this machine. I did a fresh install of XP in October and never reinstalled ReproDesk because I don't have the original disc.
     
  10. mccarthitect

    mccarthitect Private E-2

    Wait, wait. I'm confusing 2 computers. ReproDesk IS installed on the computer in question
     
  11. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Good to know.

    Do post in the software forum for additional assistance.

    Since you are not having any 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
     
  12. mccarthitect

    mccarthitect Private E-2

    Thanks much. I will follow the procedures
    I did start a new thread at the software forum yesterday. No replies yet.
     
  13. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Hope you can get it solved. Good luck. :)
     

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