(Moderator edit: moved post to HJT Forum for team review and member help. Removed Member's E-mail address to prevent its being harvested by spambots. jgweed)
Hi,
I'm an experienced user in IT software business for last 21 years. My PC seems to have got it's search engine hijacked by some stealth software. I've tried all possible anti-spyware (incl NAV 2005) but all are saying PC is clean!
Whenever a site takes little more time to open e.g., verisign.com - this spyware takes over and displays a phoney site saying verisign.com is for sale! Click here and lot of other related links on it. Upon checking it's source (it's a html file with searchurl name e.g., verisign.com) it shows something like this.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<html>
<head>
<title> Welcome to verisign.com</title>
<meta NAME="description" CONTENT="verisign.com">
<meta NAME="keywords" CONTENT="verisign.com">
<META HTTP-EQUIV="Pragma" CONTENT="no-cache">
<META HTTP-EQUIV="Expires" CONTENT="-1">
</head>
<frameset rows="20,*" frameborder="no" border="0" framespacing="0">
<frame src="/contactform.php?domain=verisign.com">
<frame src="http://searchportal.information.com/?a_id=6640&domainname=verisign.com">
</frameset>
<noframes>
<body bgcolor="#ffffff" text="#000000">
<a href="http://searchportal.information.com/?a_id=6640&domainname=verisign.com">Click here to enter</a>.
</body>
</noframes>
</html>
<!-- trafficclub.com -->
<!-- exec: 0.095219135284424 -->
<!-- domain: verisign.com -->
<!-- ip: 59.184.40.142 -->
<!-- fingerprint: -->
<!-- country: IN -->
<!-- service: 1 -->
<!-- rand: 87/100 -->
<!-- count: 1/0 -->
<!-- COOKIE OVERRIDE : 1 -->
<!-- OK -->
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Surprising part of the story is that after some time period the site to which search engine points is different. For example, in above case we are taken to searchportal.information.com; sometime back it was taking to sedoparking.com; and so on. Here is another example on the same URL:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
<html>
<head>
<title></title>
</head>
<body style="margin:0px;border:0px">
<table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 width=785>
<tr>
<td align=right><span style="font-size:14px;color:red;"><span style="font-weight:700">verisign.com</span> is for sale! </span><a href="http://www.domainsystems.com/bidform.php?domain=verisign.com" target="_blank" style="font-size:14px;color:blue;">Make an offer</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
</body>
</html>
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Also it creates are cookie named 'rajesh@verisign.com' with following content.
---------------------------
svc
1
verisign.com/
1536
1305295232
29838408
1839189024
29838206
*
---------------------------
So the spyware is extremely smart. I suppose it's hiding in some hidden part of the hard disk. I'm giving hijackthis log with safe boot and normal boot below.
------------- Win98SE safeboot hijackthis log begin----------------
Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 10:38:33 AM, on 21/02/2007
Platform: Windows 98 SE (Win9x 4.10.2222A)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)
Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SPOOL32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\MY DOCUMENTS\MY DOWNLOADS\HIJACKTHIS.EXE
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://g.msn.co.in/0SEENIN/SAOS01
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.co.in/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.co.in/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = 192.168.0.1
O2 - BHO: WsftpBrowserHelper Class - {601ED020-FB6C-11D3-87D8-0050DA59922B} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\WS_FTP PRO\WSBHO2K0.DLL
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\ADOBE\ACROBAT 5.0\READER\ACTIVEX\ACROIEHELPER.OCX
O2 - BHO: NAV Helper - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - c:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &RoboForm - {724d43a0-0d85-11d4-9908-00400523e39a} - C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboForm.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - c:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ScanRegistry] c:\windows\scanregw.exe /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HpMmKbd] "C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Extended Keyboard\HpMmKbd.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogWatch] C:\WINDOWS\LogWat95.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PLoader] c:\program files\umsd tools2.33\umsd.exe sys_auto_run C:\Program Files\UMSD Tools2.33
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NPROTECT] c:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton Utilities\NPROTECT.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SMARTAlerts] C:\Program Files\HP\SMART\SMARTAlerts.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CertStoreInit] c:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CertStoreInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Symantec Core LC] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe" start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zone Labs Client] "C:\PROGRAM FILES\ZONE LABS\ZONEALARM\ZLCLIENT.EXE"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Symantec NetDriver Monitor] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMNET~1\SNDMON.EXE /Consumer
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [POINTER] C:\MSINPUT\point32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [SymTray - Norton SystemWorks] c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SymTray.exe "Norton SystemWorks"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [SCardSvr] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SCardSvr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [KB891711] c:\windows\SYSTEM\KB891711\KB891711.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [KB918547] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KB918547\KB918547.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [ccEvtMgr] "c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [ccSetMgr] "c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [NPFMonitor] c:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\IWP\NPFMntor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [ScriptBlocking] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Script Blocking\SBServ.exe" -reg
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [ALU Scheduler Service] C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [TrueVector] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ZONELABS\VSMON.EXE -service
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RoboForm] "C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboTaskBarIcon.exe"
O4 - Startup: ClickTray Calendar.lnk = C:\Program Files\ClickTray Calendar\ClickTray.exe
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions present
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O6 - HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions present
O6 - HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O8 - Extra context menu item: Fill Forms &] - file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComFillForms.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Save Forms &[ - file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComSavePass.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Customize Menu &4 - file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComCustomizeIEMenu.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR2.DLL/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Translate English Word - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR2.DLL/cmwordtrans.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR2.DLL/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR2.DLL/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR2.DLL/cmbacklinks.html
O12 - Plugin for .pdf: C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~1\PLUGINS\nppdf32.dll
O16 - DPF: {08F04139-8DFC-11D2-80E9-006008B066EE} (ConfigChkr Class) - https://mis.safescrypt.com/vscnfchk.cab
O16 - DPF: {70D86F3C-BA4D-11D2-80F5-006008B066EE} (VSPrefMgmt Class) - https://digitalid.safescrypt.com/class1/vspcakm.cab
O16 - DPF: {6F7864F9-DB33-11D3-8166-0060B0F885E6} (VSPTA Class) - https://digitalid.safescrypt.com/dgft/vspta3.cab
O16 - DPF: {C702FF1B-40FF-4DD1-8A22-E8DB4835E322} (TCS RootCerts Control) - https://www.tcs-ca.tcs.co.in/controls/RootCerts.cab
O16 - DPF: {106E49CF-797A-11D2-81A2-00E02C015623} (AlternaTIFF ActiveX) - http://www.alternatiff.com/install/00/alttiff.cab
O16 - DPF: {9765B508-0C62-4F32-AB7C-D30D0615580B} (TCSDataSigner Control) - https://onlineservices.tin.nsdl.com/TIN/DSi...SDataSigner.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\VxD\MSTCP: Domain = mtnl.net.in
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\VxD\MSTCP: NameServer = 203.94.227.70,203.94.243.70
------------- Win98SE safeboot hijackthis log end----------------
------------- Win98SE normal boot hijackthis log begin----------------
Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 5:19:11 PM, on 21/02/2007
Platform: Windows 98 SE (Win9x 4.10.2222A)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)
Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
C:\NOVELL\CLIENT32\NWRECMSG.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\SYMANTEC SHARED\SYMTRAY.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SCARDSVR.EXE
c:\windows\SYSTEM\KB891711\KB891711.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KB918547\KB918547.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\SYMANTEC SHARED\CCEVTMGR.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\SYMANTEC SHARED\CCSETMGR.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\NORTON ANTIVIRUS\IWP\NPFMNTOR.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\SYMANTEC\LIVEUPDATE\ALUSCHEDULERSVC.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ZONELABS\VSMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SYSTRAY.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\HEWLETT-PACKARD\EXTENDED KEYBOARD\HPMMKBD.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\LOGWAT95.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\UMSD TOOLS2.33\UMSD.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\NORTON SYSTEMWORKS\NORTON UTILITIES\NPROTECT.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\HP\SMART\SMARTALERTS.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\SYMANTEC SHARED\CCPD-LC\SYMLCSVC.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\SYMANTEC SHARED\CCAPP.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\ZONE LABS\ZONEALARM\ZLCLIENT.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\SIBER SYSTEMS\AI ROBOFORM\ROBOTASKBARICON.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\CLICKTRAY CALENDAR\CLICKTRAY.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WMIEXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ETSRV.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SPOOL32.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\SYMANTEC SHARED\SNDSRVC.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\SYMANTEC\LIVEUPDATE\AUPDATE.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\SYMANTEC\LIVEUPDATE\LUCOMSERVER_3_0.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\MAILWASHER\MAILWASHER.EXE
C:\MY DOCUMENTS\MY DOWNLOADS\HIJACKTHIS.EXE
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://g.msn.co.in/0SEENIN/SAOS01
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.co.in/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.co.in/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = 192.168.0.1
O2 - BHO: WsftpBrowserHelper Class - {601ED020-FB6C-11D3-87D8-0050DA59922B} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\WS_FTP PRO\WSBHO2K0.DLL
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\ADOBE\ACROBAT 5.0\READER\ACTIVEX\ACROIEHELPER.OCX
O2 - BHO: NAV Helper - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - c:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &RoboForm - {724d43a0-0d85-11d4-9908-00400523e39a} - C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboForm.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - c:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ScanRegistry] c:\windows\scanregw.exe /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HpMmKbd] "C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Extended Keyboard\HpMmKbd.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogWatch] C:\WINDOWS\LogWat95.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PLoader] c:\program files\umsd tools2.33\umsd.exe sys_auto_run C:\Program Files\UMSD Tools2.33
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NPROTECT] c:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton Utilities\NPROTECT.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SMARTAlerts] C:\Program Files\HP\SMART\SMARTAlerts.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CertStoreInit] c:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CertStoreInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Symantec Core LC] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe" start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zone Labs Client] "C:\PROGRAM FILES\ZONE LABS\ZONEALARM\ZLCLIENT.EXE"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Symantec NetDriver Monitor] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMNET~1\SNDMON.EXE /Consumer
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [POINTER] C:\MSINPUT\point32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [SymTray - Norton SystemWorks] c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SymTray.exe "Norton SystemWorks"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [SCardSvr] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SCardSvr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [KB891711] c:\windows\SYSTEM\KB891711\KB891711.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [KB918547] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KB918547\KB918547.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [ccEvtMgr] "c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [ccSetMgr] "c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [NPFMonitor] c:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\IWP\NPFMntor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [ScriptBlocking] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Script Blocking\SBServ.exe" -reg
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [ALU Scheduler Service] C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [TrueVector] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ZONELABS\VSMON.EXE -service
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RoboForm] "C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboTaskBarIcon.exe"
O4 - Startup: ClickTray Calendar.lnk = C:\Program Files\ClickTray Calendar\ClickTray.exe
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions present
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O6 - HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions present
O6 - HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O8 - Extra context menu item: Fill Forms &] - file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComFillForms.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Save Forms &[ - file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComSavePass.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Customize Menu &4 - file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComCustomizeIEMenu.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR2.DLL/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Translate English Word - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR2.DLL/cmwordtrans.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR2.DLL/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR2.DLL/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR2.DLL/cmbacklinks.html
O12 - Plugin for .pdf: C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~1\PLUGINS\nppdf32.dll
O16 - DPF: {08F04139-8DFC-11D2-80E9-006008B066EE} (ConfigChkr Class) - https://mis.safescrypt.com/vscnfchk.cab
O16 - DPF: {70D86F3C-BA4D-11D2-80F5-006008B066EE} (VSPrefMgmt Class) - https://digitalid.safescrypt.com/class1/vspcakm.cab
O16 - DPF: {6F7864F9-DB33-11D3-8166-0060B0F885E6} (VSPTA Class) - https://digitalid.safescrypt.com/dgft/vspta3.cab
O16 - DPF: {C702FF1B-40FF-4DD1-8A22-E8DB4835E322} (TCS RootCerts Control) - https://www.tcs-ca.tcs.co.in/controls/RootCerts.cab
O16 - DPF: {106E49CF-797A-11D2-81A2-00E02C015623} (AlternaTIFF ActiveX) - http://www.alternatiff.com/install/00/alttiff.cab
O16 - DPF: {9765B508-0C62-4F32-AB7C-D30D0615580B} (TCSDataSigner Control) - https://onlineservices.tin.nsdl.com/TIN/DSi...SDataSigner.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\VxD\MSTCP: Domain = mtnl.net.in
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\VxD\MSTCP: NameServer = 203.94.227.70,203.94.243.70
------------- Win98SE normal boot hijackthis log end----------------
I've tried Norton Antivirus 2005; PCTools Antispyware, Spybot S&D 1.4, SpyRemover, Lavasoft Ad-aware Personl SE but no luck.
One more thing is that this spyware works equally well in Firefox 1.0 and now 1.5 also. That really foxes me.
Recently I suspect that this spyware is trying to insert wrong passwords - whenever i try to enter passwords - hence i'm getting failed logins. I lost etoken's access due to this - where my digital signature was stored. I'm really at a loss.
Please help.
Rajesh Kothari
bluechip@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX