BleepingComputer.com: Google Search Redirected to goingonearth.com

Looks like we have problem similar to others (e.g. topic 404819) describing hijack of Google search results on our Vista Professional machine. Here is the history (if it helps) :

Someone downloaded and ran an unknown program. The McAfee log shows that the program spawned the following in the %tmp% directory:

Cnd.exe
, Cnc.exe
, Cne.exe
, Cnf.exe
, Cni.exe
, Cnh.exe
, DataCard_Setup.exe
, FlashPlayerUpdate.exe
, i4jdel0.exe
, SkypeSetup.exe
, Cfyboa.exe

This started hijack of clicks on Google search results to goingonearth.com -> find-quick-results.com -> scour.com. If the link is copied and pasted manually to the Firefox address bar, the browser works normally. Also, the links on pages other than the search results continue normally.

So far we have run Ad-Aware scans which found and removed one trojan.
Also ran the Trend Micro Rootkitbuster.exe which found 12 rootkit objects which were removed.
Also ran the kaspersky TDSSKiller.exe which ran clean.

After each of the above steps, the machine seems to run without any hijack for few minutes before the hijacking begins. Since the programs indicated flashplayerupdate, we have removed all adobe products without any success.

Can someone help? Let us know the logs needed that may help in locating the issue.

Thank you.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 11:57:53 AM, on 6/23/2011
Platform: Windows Vista SP2 (WinNT 6.00.1906)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v9.00 (9.00.8112.16421)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Lenovo\NPDIRECT\tpfnf7sp.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\Program Files\Lenovo\HOTKEY\TPOSDSVC.exe
C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\Utilities\EZEJMNAP.EXE
C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\ConnectUtilities\ACWLIcon.exe
C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Client Security Solution\cssauth.exe
C:\Program Files\ThinkVantage\PrdCtr\LPMLCHK.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Framework\UdaterUI.exe
C:\Program Files\Lenovo\HOTKEY\tpfnf6r.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\MOM.EXE
C:\Program Files\Lenovo\HOTKEY\TPONSCR.exe
C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Zoom\TpScrex.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Framework\McTray.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\ThinkPad\UTILIT~1\PWMUIAux.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmpnscfg.exe
C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Client Security Solution\password_manager.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CCC.exe
C:\Program Files\Diskeeper Corporation\Diskeeper\DkIcon.exe
C:\Program Files\Cisco Systems\VPN Client\vpngui.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.lenovo.com/welcome
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
O2 - BHO: Groove GFS Browser Helper - {72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveShellExtensions.dll
O2 - BHO: scriptproxy - {7DB2D5A0-7241-4E79-B68D-6309F01C5231} - C:\Program Files\Antivirus\scriptsn.dll
O2 - BHO: Password Manager Browser Helper Object - {BF468356-BB7E-42D7-9F15-4F3B9BCFCED2} - C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Client Security Solution\tvtpwm_ie_com.dll
O2 - BHO: Java™ Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Zend Studio - {95188727-288F-4581-A48D-EAB3BD027314} - C:\PROGRA~1\ZENDST~1\toolbars\ZENDIE~1.DLL (file missing)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TPFNF7] C:\PROGRA~1\Lenovo\NPDIRECT\TPFNF7SP.exe /r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPEnh] %ProgramFiles%\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TPHOTKEY] C:\Program Files\Lenovo\HOTKEY\TPOSDSVC.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EZEJMNAP] C:\PROGRA~1\ThinkPad\UTILIT~1\EzEjMnAp.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PWMTRV] rundll32 C:\PROGRA~1\ThinkPad\UTILIT~1\PWMTR32V.DLL,PwrMgrBkGndMonitor
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BLOG] rundll32 C:\PROGRA~1\ThinkPad\UTILIT~1\BTVLogEx.DLL,StartBattLog
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DiskeeperSystray] "C:\Program Files\Diskeeper Corporation\Diskeeper\DkIcon.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ACWLIcon] C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\ConnectUtilities\ACWlIcon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [StartCCC] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CLIStart.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TPKMAPHELPER] C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\Utilities\TpKmapAp.exe -helper
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [cssauth] "C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Client Security Solution\cssauth.exe" silent
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LPMailChecker] C:\PROGRA~1\THINKV~2\PrdCtr\LPMLCHK.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [McAfeeUpdaterUI] "C:\Program Files\Common Framework\udaterui.exe" /StartedFromRunKey
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ShStatEXE] "C:\Program Files\Antivirus\SHSTAT.EXE" /STANDALONE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LENOVO.TPFNF6R] C:\Program Files\Lenovo\HOTKEY\TPFNF6R.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PSQLLauncher] "C:\Program Files\ThinkVantage Fingerprint Software\launcher.exe" /startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
O4 - Global Startup: VPN Client.lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: Add to Google Photos Screensa&ver - res://C:\Windows\system32\GPhotos.scr/200
O8 - Extra context menu item: Append Link Target to Existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppendSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Send image to &Bluetooth Device... - C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\Bluetooth Software\btsendto_ie_ctx.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Send page to &Bluetooth Device... - C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\Bluetooth Software\btsendto_ie.htm
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Zend Studio Toolbar - {A26ABCF0-1C8F-46e7-A67C-0489DC21B9CC} - C:\PROGRA~1\ZENDST~1\toolbars\ZENDIE~1.DLL (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Zend Studio - {A26ABCF0-1C8F-46e7-A67C-0489DC21B9CC} - C:\PROGRA~1\ZENDST~1\toolbars\ZENDIE~1.DLL (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: @btrez.dll,-4015 - {CCA281CA-C863-46ef-9331-5C8D4460577F} - C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\Bluetooth Software\btsendto_ie.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @btrez.dll,-12650 - {CCA281CA-C863-46ef-9331-5C8D4460577F} - C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\Bluetooth Software\btsendto_ie.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {F4F55DC8-0B69-4DFE-BA94-CB677B88B2A3} - C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Client Security Solution\tvtpwm_ie_com.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Lenovo Password Manager... - {F4F55DC8-0B69-4DFE-BA94-CB677B88B2A3} - C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Client Security Solution\tvtpwm_ie_com.dll
O11 - Options group: [ACCELERATED_GRAPHICS] Accelerated graphics
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.intuit.com
O16 - DPF: {4871A87A-BFDD-4106-8153-FFDE2BAC2967} (DLM Control) - http://dlm.tools.akamai.com/dlmanager/versions/activex/dlm-activex-2.2.5.3.cab
O16 - DPF: {4EFA317A-8569-4788-B175-5BAF9731A549} (Microsoft Virtual Server VMRC Advanced Control) - https://www.microsoft.com/resources/virtuallabs/ActiveX/VMRCActiveXClient1.cab
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab
O18 - Protocol: grooveLocalGWS - {88FED34C-F0CA-4636-A375-3CB6248B04CD} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveSystemServices.dll
O18 - Protocol: intu-help-qb2 - {84D77A00-41B5-4B8B-8ADF-86486D72E749} - C:\Program Files\QuickBooks\HelpAsyncPluggableProtocol.dll
O18 - Protocol: qbwc - {FC598A64-626C-4447-85B8-53150405FD57} - mscoree.dll (file missing)
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon - {8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\Windows\system32\browseui.dll
O23 - Service: Ac Profile Manager Service (AcPrfMgrSvc) - Lenovo - C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\ConnectUtilities\AcPrfMgrSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Access Connections Main Service (AcSvc) - Lenovo - C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\ConnectUtilities\AcSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Andrea ADI Filters Service (AEADIFilters) - Andrea Electronics Corporation - C:\Windows\system32\AEADISRV.EXE
O23 - Service: Ati External Event Utility - ATI Technologies Inc. - C:\Windows\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: Bluetooth Service (btwdins) - Broadcom Corporation. - C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\Bluetooth Software\bin\btwdins.exe
O23 - Service: Cisco Systems, Inc. VPN Service (CVPND) - Cisco Systems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Cisco Systems\VPN Client\cvpnd.exe
O23 - Service: Diskeeper - Diskeeper Corporation - C:\Program Files\Diskeeper Corporation\Diskeeper\DkService.exe
O23 - Service: Lenovo Doze Mode Service (DozeSvc) - Lenovo. - C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\Utilities\DOZESVC.EXE
O23 - Service: Intel® PROSet/Wireless Event Log (EvtEng) - Intel® Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\WiFi\bin\EvtEng.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdatem) (gupdatem) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: ThinkPad PM Service (IBMPMSVC) - Lenovo. - C:\Windows\system32\ibmpmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: Intuit Update Service (IntuitUpdateService) - Intuit Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\Update Service\IntuitUpdateService.exe
O23 - Service: IPS Core Service (IPSSVC) - Lenovo Group Limited - C:\Windows\system32\IPSSVC.EXE
O23 - Service: Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service - Lavasoft Limited - C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\AAWService.exe
O23 - Service: Lenovo Microphone Mute (LENOVO.MICMUTE) - Lenovo Group Limited - C:\Program Files\LENOVO\HOTKEY\MICMUTE.exe
O23 - Service: Event Log Watch (LogWatch) - CA - C:\Program Files\CA\SharedComponents\CA_LIC\LogWatNT.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Engine Service (McAfeeEngineService) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Antivirus\EngineServer.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Framework Service (McAfeeFramework) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Framework\FrameworkService.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee McShield (McShield) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Antivirus\Mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Task Manager (McTaskManager) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Antivirus\VsTskMgr.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Validation Trust Protection Service (mfevtp) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Windows\system32\mfevtps.exe
O23 - Service: SAPSetup Automatic Workstation Update Service (NWSAPAutoWorkstationUpdateSvc) - SAP AG - C:\Program Files\SAP\SAPsetup\setup\Updater\NwSapAutoWorkstationUpdateService.exe
O23 - Service: Power Manager DBC Service - Lenovo - C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\Utilities\PWMDBSVC.EXE
O23 - Service: QBCFMonitorService - Intuit - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks\QBCFMonitorService.exe
O23 - Service: Intuit QuickBooks FCS (QBFCService) - Intuit Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks\FCS\Intuit.QuickBooks.FCS.exe
O23 - Service: Intel® PROSet/Wireless Registry Service (RegSrvc) - Intel® Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intel\WirelessCommon\RegSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: ServiceLayer - Nokia - C:\Program Files\PC Connectivity Solution\ServiceLayer.exe
O23 - Service: System Update (SUService) - Lenovo Group Limited - C:\Program Files\Lenovo\System Update\SUService.exe
O23 - Service: ThinkVantage Registry Monitor Service - Lenovo Group Limited - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Lenovo\tvt_reg_monitor_svc.exe
O23 - Service: On Screen Display (TPHKSVC) - Lenovo Group Limited - C:\Program Files\LENOVO\HOTKEY\TPHKSVC.exe
O23 - Service: TSS Core Service (TSSCoreService) - Lenovo - C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Client Security Solution\tvttcsd.exe
O23 - Service: TVT Backup Protection Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Rescue and Recovery\rrpservice.exe
O23 - Service: TVT Backup Service - Lenovo Group Limited - C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Rescue and Recovery\rrservice.exe
O23 - Service: TVT Scheduler - Lenovo Group Limited - c:\Program Files\Common Files\Lenovo\Scheduler\tvtsched.exe
O23 - Service: tvtnetwk - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Rescue and Recovery\ADM\IUService.exe
O23 - Service: Upek Service (UpekSrvc) - UPEK Inc. - C:\Program Files\ThinkVantage Fingerprint Software\upeksrvc.exe
O23 - Service: WPSR - Unknown owner - C:\Users\samku\AppData\Local\Temp\WPSR.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: XAudioService - Conexant Systems, Inc. - C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\xaudio.exe

--
End of file - 12532 bytes

Update on the issue :

After the configuration changes were blocked using McAfee, now the Google/Bing/Yahoo searches are redirected to thewebtimes.net but the page does not display.

Appreciate any help to restore the search functionality.

EDIT: Posts merged ~Budapest

Final (hopefully!) update on the issue :

Malwarebytes' scan offered a clue about the infection method but it did not the fix the issue. So following each thread to its logical conclusion led to the following -

The original executable downloaded several infectors (Cn{x}.exe & Cfyboa.exe) in the temp directory and scheduled tasks to execute them. One of the programs from the list above also created a hidden dll in %windows% System32 called srclientc.dll. Not sure why but file scans by McAfee and Malwarebytes do not detect this dll as any problem - possibly because this hidden file had no user permissions and System permissions were set to nothing.

To fix the issue:
1. deleted the tasks triggered at system start
2. Take ownership and copied/deleted the srclientc.dll (Note: srclient.dll is a legit Microsoft system restore file)

Now the machine seems to be normal. There seem to be couple of other strange files in use but there is no apparent change. If anyone has an idea about hidden files listed below, please share the details :

7B296FB0-376B-497e-B012-9C450E1B7327-2P-0.C7483456-A289-439d-8115-601632D005A0
7B296FB0-376B-497e-B012-9C450E1B7327-2P-1.C7483456-A289-439d-8115-601632D005A0

Although there were no replies from this forum, hopefully our post will help others save hours of scans and frustration.

EDIT: Please be patient. There are over 270 unanswered topics in this forum at present and the current average wait time to receive help is 8 days. ~Budapest

This post has been edited by Budapest: 27 June 2011 - 04:47 PM
Reason for edit: No logs, moved from MRL to Am I Infected. Copied log data from report, pasted into topic, moived topic back to MRL.

Are you still happy that you're clean?

Due to the lack of feedback, this topic is now closed.

In the event you still have problems, please send me or any Moderator a Private Message and ask them to reopen this topic within the next 5 days. Please include a link to your topic in the Private Message. Thank you.