BleepingComputer.com: Unknown dlls in startup

Hi, a few days ago I started to get an error message when I first booted up "Explorer needs to close" A dll was trying to write to a memory location not allowed. The dll was "anonemerokoni.dll". I googled the dll and it was unknown. I got worried and downloaded Spybot Search and Destroy. I ran it and it deleted this dll (so it is gone now even though I left the registry entry). Now when I boot I get a dll not found error (which I expected) and another dll not found for "Puimscn.dll" which I assume Spybot S&D also eliminated. I wanted to leave the entries in the registry for a few days so that if the error at startup went away - I would know the file is back and I can figure out where it came from. I ran the Autoruns utility and it finds the two entries - the first is :
"Dvacoreyesubaseb File not found: C:\WINDOWS\anonemerokoni.dll" under HKLM\Software area.

The second is:
"Imoyohofusocac File not found: C:\WINDOWS\PUIMSCN.dll" under HKCU\Software area.

I always have McAfee active and it never noticed these files appearing - I don't have a clue when they first showed up. Several questions:
1. Anybody have an idea what they are? What nasty things they might have done?
2. Is is safe for me to remove the registry entry now?
3. How can I stop this in the future?
4. Do I now need to change all of my passwords? I will go nuts doing that!

Thanks in advance for any help.

Betsy

This post has been edited by Blade Zephon: 15 October 2010 - 12:51 PM
Reason for edit: Moved from Windows Startup Programs Database to AII. ~BZ

Hi Betsy, I think we can get rid of all these errors.
Its not unusual to receive such an error after using specialized fix tools.

A "Cannot find...", "Could not run...", "Error loading... or "specific module could not be found" message is usually related to malware that was set to run at startup but has been deleted. Windows is trying to load this file but cannot locate it since the file was mostly likely removed during an anti-virus or anti-malware scan. However, an associated orphaned registry entry remains and is telling Windows to load the file when you boot up. Since the file no longer exists, Windows will display an error message. You need to remove this registry entry so Windows stops searching for the file when it loads.

To resolve this, download Autoruns, search for the related entry and then delete it.

Create a new folder on your hard drive called AutoRuns (C:\AutoRuns) and extract (unzip) the file there. (click here if you're not sure how to do this.)
Open the folder and double-click on autoruns.exe to launch it.
Please be patient as it scans and populates the entries.
When done scanning, it will say Ready at the bottom.
Scroll through the list and look for a startup entry related to the file(s) in the error message.
Right-click on the entry and choose delete.
Reboot your computer and see if the startup error returns.



Next run MBAM (MalwareBytes):

Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and save it to your desktop.

Download Link 1
Download Link 2

MBAM may "make changes to your registry" as part of its disinfection routine. If using other security programs that detect registry changes (ie Spybot's Teatimer), they may interfere or alert you. Temporarily disable such programs or permit them to allow the changes.

• Make sure you are connected to the Internet.
  
• Double-click on mbam-setup.exe to install the application.
  For instructions with screenshots, please refer to the How to use Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Guide.
  
• When the installation begins, follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
  
• When installation has finished, make sure you leave both of these checked:
  • Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
    
  • Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
  
  
• Then click Finish.

MBAM will automatically start and you will be asked to update the program before performing a scan.

• If an update is found, the program will automatically update itself. Press the OK button to close that box and continue.
  
• If you encounter any problems while downloading the definition updates, manually download them from here and just double-click on mbam-rules.exe to install.

On the Scanner tab:

• Make sure the "Perform Quick Scan" option is selected.
  
• Then click on the Scan button.
  
• If asked to select the drives to scan, leave all the drives selected and click on the Start Scan button.
  
• The scan will begin and "Scan in progress" will show at the top. It may take some time to complete so please be patient.
  
• When the scan is finished, a message box will say "The scan completed successfully. Click 'Show Results' to display all objects found".
  
• Click OK to close the message box and continue with the removal process.

Back at the main Scanner screen:

• Click on the Show Results button to see a list of any malware that was found.
  
• Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
  
• When removal is completed, a log report will open in Notepad.
  
• The log is automatically saved and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
  
• Copy and paste the contents of that report in your next reply. Be sure to post the complete log to include the top portion which shows MBAM's database version and your operating system.
  
• Exit MBAM when done.

Note: If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove, you will be asked to reboot your computer so MBAM can proceed with the disinfection process. If asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately. Failure to reboot normally (not into safe mode) will prevent MBAM from removing all the malware.

This post has been edited by boopme: 15 October 2010 - 08:34 PM

Hi, Did all and here is the log from Malwarebytes:

One more question - do you think I need to change all of my passwords since who knows what was done with my info before I noticed the stupid files? I do use Roboform as a password program.



Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.46
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: 4850

Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702

10/16/2010 11:05:23 AM
mbam-log-2010-10-16 (11-05-23).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Objects scanned: 194284
Time elapsed: 5 minute(s), 44 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 1
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 2
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 0

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{1d4db7d2-6ec9-47a3-bd87-1e41684e07bb} (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center\AntiVirusDisableNotify (Disabled.SecurityCenter) -> Bad: (1) Good: (0) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center\FirewallDisableNotify (Disabled.SecurityCenter) -> Bad: (1) Good: (0) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Hello again, As I do not know what else was removed I cannot say for sure as heere we only have adware. But it can't hurt if in doubt. Let's do an online scan and see if anything was left behind.

Please perform a scan with Eset Online Antiivirus Scanner.
This scan requires Internet Explorer to work. Vista/Windows 7 users need to run Internet Explorer as Administrator.
To do this, right-click on the IE icon in the Start Menu or Quick Launch Bar on the Taskbar and select Run As Administrator from the context menu.

• Click the green button.
  
• Read the End User License Agreement and check the box:
  
• Check .
  
• Click the button.
  
• Accept any security warnings from your browser.
  
• Check
  
• Check Remove found threats and Scan potentially unwanted applications. (If given the option, choose "Quarantine" instead of delete.)
  
• Click the Start button.
  
• ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer.
  
• If offered the option to get information or buy software at any point, just close the window.
  
• The scan will take a while so be patient and do NOT use the computer while the scan is running. Keep all other programs and windows closed.
  
• When the scan completes, push
  
• Push , and save the file to your desktop as ESETScan.txt.
  
• Push the button, then Finish.
  
• Copy and paste the contents of ESETScan.txt in your next reply.

Note: A log.txt file will also be created and automatically saved in the C:\Program Files\EsetOnlineScanner\ folder.
If you did not save the ESETScan log, click > Run..., then type or copy and paste everything in the code box below into the Open dialogue box:

C:\Program Files\ESET\EsetOnlineScanner\log.txt

• Click Ok and the scan results will open in Notepad.
  
• Copy and paste the contents of log.txt in your next reply.

-- Some online scanners will detect existing anti-virus software and refuse to cooperate. You may have to disable the real-time protection components of your existing anti-virus and try running the scan again. If you do this, remember to turn them back on after you are finished.

NOTE: In some instances if no malware is found there will be no log produced.

Well, finally got this thing to complete. Looks like everything is clean. Here is the log. Thanks so much for the help.

ESETSmartInstaller@High as CAB hook log:
OnlineScanner.ocx - registred OK
esets_scanner_update returned -1 esets_gle=53251
esets_scanner_update returned -1 esets_gle=53251
# version=7
# iexplore.exe=8.00.6001.18702 (longhorn_ie8_rtm(wmbla).090308-0339)
# OnlineScanner.ocx=1.0.0.6211
# api_version=3.0.2
# EOSSerial=7bba6ebdaef3b24bb5ee10532e545a05
# end=stopped
# remove_checked=true
# archives_checked=false
# unwanted_checked=true
# unsafe_checked=false
# antistealth_checked=true
# utc_time=2010-10-16 08:08:44
# local_time=2010-10-16 04:08:44 (-0500, Eastern Daylight Time)
# country="United States"
# lang=1033
# osver=5.1.2600 NT Service Pack 3
# compatibility_mode=5121 16777173 100 75 1772549 16413708 0 0
# compatibility_mode=8192 67108863 100 0 0 0 0 0
# scanned=26909
# found=0
# cleaned=0
# scan_time=135
# version=7
# IEXPLORE.EXE=8.00.6001.18702 (longhorn_ie8_rtm(wmbla).090308-0339)
# OnlineScanner.ocx=1.0.0.6211
# api_version=3.0.2
# EOSSerial=7bba6ebdaef3b24bb5ee10532e545a05
# end=stopped
# remove_checked=true
# archives_checked=false
# unwanted_checked=true
# unsafe_checked=false
# antistealth_checked=true
# utc_time=2010-10-17 01:43:42
# local_time=2010-10-17 09:43:42 (-0500, Eastern Daylight Time)
# country="United States"
# lang=1033
# osver=5.1.2600 NT Service Pack 3
# compatibility_mode=5121 16777173 100 75 1835561 16476720 0 0
# compatibility_mode=8192 67108863 100 0 0 0 0 0
# scanned=26989
# found=0
# cleaned=0
# scan_time=422
esets_scanner_update returned -1 esets_gle=53251
# version=7
# iexplore.exe=8.00.6001.18702 (longhorn_ie8_rtm(wmbla).090308-0339)
# OnlineScanner.ocx=1.0.0.6211
# api_version=3.0.2
# EOSSerial=7bba6ebdaef3b24bb5ee10532e545a05
# end=stopped
# remove_checked=true
# archives_checked=false
# unwanted_checked=true
# unsafe_checked=false
# antistealth_checked=true
# utc_time=2010-10-17 01:47:41
# local_time=2010-10-17 09:47:41 (-0500, Eastern Daylight Time)
# country="United States"
# lang=1033
# osver=5.1.2600 NT Service Pack 3
# compatibility_mode=5121 16777173 100 75 1836064 16477223 0 0
# compatibility_mode=8192 67108863 100 0 0 0 0 0
# scanned=26988
# found=0
# cleaned=0
# scan_time=158
esets_scanner_update returned -1 esets_gle=53251
# version=7
# iexplore.exe=8.00.6001.18702 (longhorn_ie8_rtm(wmbla).090308-0339)
# OnlineScanner.ocx=1.0.0.6211
# api_version=3.0.2
# EOSSerial=7bba6ebdaef3b24bb5ee10532e545a05
# end=stopped
# remove_checked=true
# archives_checked=false
# unwanted_checked=true
# unsafe_checked=false
# antistealth_checked=true
# utc_time=2010-10-17 01:56:01
# local_time=2010-10-17 09:56:01 (-0500, Eastern Daylight Time)
# country="United States"
# lang=1033
# osver=5.1.2600 NT Service Pack 3
# compatibility_mode=5121 16777173 100 75 1836301 16477460 0 0
# compatibility_mode=8192 67108863 100 0 0 0 0 0
# scanned=26987
# found=0
# cleaned=0
# scan_time=420
esets_scanner_update returned -1 esets_gle=53251
# version=7
# iexplore.exe=8.00.6001.18702 (longhorn_ie8_rtm(wmbla).090308-0339)
# OnlineScanner.ocx=1.0.0.6211
# api_version=3.0.2
# EOSSerial=7bba6ebdaef3b24bb5ee10532e545a05
# end=finished
# remove_checked=true
# archives_checked=false
# unwanted_checked=true
# unsafe_checked=false
# antistealth_checked=true
# utc_time=2010-10-17 03:01:42
# local_time=2010-10-17 11:01:42 (-0500, Eastern Daylight Time)
# country="United States"
# lang=1033
# osver=5.1.2600 NT Service Pack 3
# compatibility_mode=5121 16777173 100 75 1836918 16478077 0 0
# compatibility_mode=8192 67108863 100 0 0 0 0 0
# scanned=283310
# found=0
# cleaned=0
# scan_time=3745

You're good to go... Now you should Create a New Restore Point to prevent possible reinfection from an old one. Some of the malware you picked up could have been backed up, renamed and saved in System Restore. Since this is a protected directory your tools cannot access to delete these files, they sometimes can reinfect your system if you accidentally use an old restore point. Setting a new restore point AFTER cleaning your system will help prevent this and enable your computer to "roll-back" to a clean working state.

The easiest and safest way to do this is:

• Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools and click "System Restore".
  
• Choose the radio button marked "Create a Restore Point" on the first screen then click "Next". Give the R.P. a name, then click "Create". The new point will be stamped with the current date and time. Keep a log of this so you can find it easily should you need to use System Restore.

• Then use Disk Cleanup to remove all but the most recently created Restore Point.
  
• Go to Start > Run and type: Cleanmgr
  
• Click "Ok". Disk Cleanup will scan your files for several minutes, then open.
  
• Click the "More Options" tab, then click the "Clean up" button under System Restore.
  
• Click Ok. You will be prompted with "Are you sure you want to delete all but the most recent restore point?"
  
• Click Yes, then click Ok.
  
• Click Yes again when prompted with "Are you sure you want to perform these actions?"
  
• Disk Cleanup will remove the files and close automatically.

Vista and Windows 7 users can refer to these links: Create a New Restore Point in Vista or Windows 7 and Disk Cleanup in Vista.