Search Redirect Malware Infection

Late last week I had a Java applet start up which downloaded a file xa.tmp into C:\Windows. I subsequently noticed in task manager something called statb.exe being run from my user tmp file and after using msconfig there's a start up entry for this file. If you hadn't guessed already, I'm running XP.

I deleted both xa.tmp and statb.tmp, ran a virus scan and Spybot - neither detected anything. I also noticed the only system restore point available was after infection had occurred.

As Google is being redirected and my McAafee on-access scanner is being disabled on start up I'm guessing there's something new in the registry. This is where I stop investigating and hopefully you guys can help.

Thanks in advance.

RKill by Grinler

Link #1
Link #2
Link #3
Link #4

• Before we begin, you should disable your anti-malware softwares you have installed so they do not interfere RKill running as some anti-malware softwares detect RKill as malicious. Please refer to this page if you are not sure how.
• Download Link #1.
• Save it to your Desktop.
• Double click the RKill desktop icon.
  If you are using Vista please right click and run as Admin!
• A black screen will briefly flash indicating a successful run.
• If this does not occur please delete that application and download Link #2.
• Continue process until the tool runs.
• If the tool does not run from any of the links tell me about it.

Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and save it to your desktop.
alternate download link 1
alternate download link 2

• Make sure you are connected to the Internet.
• Double-click on mbam-setup.exe to install the application.
• 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 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 and exit MBAM.

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

Note 2:
-- MBAM may make changes to your registry as part of its disinfection routine. If you're using other security programs that detect registry changes (like Spybot's Teatimer), they may interfere with the fix or alert you after scanning with MBAM. Please disable such programs until disinfection is complete or permit them to allow the changes. To disable these programs, please view this topic: How To Temporarily Disable Your Anti-virus, Firewall And Anti-malware Programs

I have run rkill and mbam as instructed with no problems. Mbam report as follows:


Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.41
Database version: 3035
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2

26/10/2009 15:01:26
mbam-log-2009-10-26 (15-01-26).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 119392
Time elapsed: 8 minute(s), 21 second(s)

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

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\lsdefrag (Trojan.Downloader) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
C:\Documents and Settings\Alex\Application Data\wiaserva.log (Malware.Trace) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Please download ATF Cleaner by Atribune & save it to your desktop.
alternate download link DO NOT use yet.

Please download and install SUPERAntiSpyware Free

• Double-click SUPERAntiSypware.exe and use the default settings for installation.
• An icon will be created on your desktop. Double-click that icon to launch the program.
• If asked to update the program definitions, click "Yes". If not, update the
  definitions before scanning by selecting "Check for Updates". (If you encounter
  any problems while downloading the updates, manually download them from
  here and
  unzip into the program's folder.)
• Under the "Configuration and Preferences", click the Preferences... button.
• Click the "General and Startup" tab, and under
  Start-up Options, make sure "Start SUPERAntiSpyware when Windows starts" box is unchecked.
• Click the "Scanning Control" tab, and under Scanner
  Options, make sure the following are checked (leave all others unchecked):
  • Close browsers before scanning.
  • Scan for tracking cookies.
  • Terminate memory threats before quarantining.
• Click the "Close" button to leave the control center screen and exit the program.
• Do not run a scan just yet.

Reboot your computer in "Safe Mode" using the F8 method. To do this, restart your computer and after hearing your computer beep once during startup (but before the Windows icon appears) press the F8 key repeatedly. A menu will appear with several options. Use the arrow keys to navigate and select the option to run Windows in "Safe Mode".

Double-click ATF-Cleaner.exe to run the program.

• Under Main "Select Files to Delete" choose:
  Select All.
• Click the Empty Selected button.
• If you use Firefox browser click Firefox at the top and choose: Select All
• Click the Empty Selected button.
  If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.
• If you use Opera browser click Opera at the top and choose: Select All
• Click the Empty Selected button.
  If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.
• Click Exit on the Main menu to close the program.

Note: On Vista, "Windows Temp" is disabled. To empty "Windows Temp"

ATF-Cleaner must be "Run as an Administrator".
Scan with SUPERAntiSpyware as follows:

• Launch the program and back on the main screen, under "Scan for Harmful Software" click Scan your computer.
• On the left, make sure you check C:\Fixed Drive.
• On the right, under "Complete Scan", choose Perform Complete Scan and click "Next".
• After the scan is complete, a Scan Summary box will appear with potentially harmful items that were detected. Click "OK".
• Make sure everything has a checkmark next to it and click "Next".
• A notification will appear that "Quarantine and Removal is Complete". Click "OK" and then click the "Finish" button to return to the main menu.
• If asked if you want to reboot, click "Yes" and reboot normally.
• To retrieve the removal information after reboot, launch SUPERAntispyware again.
  • Click Preferences, then click the Statistics/Logs tab.
  • Under Scanner Logs, double-click SUPERAntiSpyware Scan Log.
  • If there are several logs, click the current dated log and press View log. A text file will open in your default text editor.
  • Please copy and paste the Scan Log results in your next reply.
• Click Close to exit the program.

Thanks Rigel. Have run the ATF Cleaner and Superantispyware. Log details as follows:

Application Version : 4.29.1004

Core Rules Database Version : 4195
Trace Rules Database Version: 2106

Scan type : Complete Scan
Total Scan Time : 04:03:24

Memory items scanned : 222
Memory threats detected : 0
Registry items scanned : 5747
Registry threats detected : 1
File items scanned : 138946
File threats detected : 0

Adware.IEPlugin
HKCR\Remove

Edited by technik, 27 October 2009 - 04:39 AM.

Our next step...

Please perform a scan with Eset Onlinescan (NOD32).
(Requires Internet Explorer to work. If given the option, choose "Quarantine" instead of delete.)
Vista Users be sure 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.)

• You will see the Terms of Use. Tick the check-box in front of YES, I accept the Terms of Use
• Now click Start.
• You may receive an alert on the address bar that "This site might require the following ActiveX control...Click here to install...". Click on that alert and then Click Insall ActiveX component.
• A new window will appear asking "Do you want to install this software?" (OnlineScanner.cab)".
• Answer Yes to install and download the ActiveX controls that allows the scan to run.
• Click Start. (the Onlinescanner will now prepare itself for running on your pc)
• To do a full-scan, check: "Remove found threats" and "Scan potentially unwanted applications"
• Press Scan to start the online scan. (this could take some time to complete)[/color]
• When the scan has finished, it will show a screen with two tabs "overview" and "details" and the option to get information or buy software. Just close the window.
• Now click Start > Run... > type: C:\Program Files\EsetOnlineScanner\log.txt
• The scan results will open in Notepad.
• Copy and paste the log results in your next reply.

Note: 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.

Please follow this by updating and rerunning Malwarebytes. Post the fresh log. Thanks!

Okay, ran ESET and Malwarebytes - which found 15 more infections... await your further instructions - thanks.

Eset Log:

ESETSmartInstaller@High as CAB hook log:
OnlineScanner.ocx - registred OK
# version=7
# iexplore.exe=7.00.6000.16915 (vista_gdr.090826-0339)
# OnlineScanner.ocx=1.0.0.6211
# api_version=3.0.2
# EOSSerial=cb62b87435a3f34598285e9671dbd8ef
# end=finished
# remove_checked=true
# archives_checked=false
# unwanted_checked=true
# unsafe_checked=false
# antistealth_checked=true
# utc_time=2009-10-27 07:23:04
# local_time=2009-10-27 07:23:04 (+0000, GMT Standard Time)
# country="United Kingdom"
# lang=1033
# osver=5.1.2600 NT Service Pack 2
# compatibility_mode=3073 16777214 60 15 52291650 52291652 0 0
# compatibility_mode=8192 67108863 100 0 3909 3909 0 0
# compatibility_mode=9217 16777214 0 4 52291915 52291915 0 0
# scanned=140980
# found=0
# cleaned=0
# scan_time=6229

Malwarebytes log:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.41
Database version: 3043
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2

27/10/2009 20:48:59
mbam-log-2009-10-27 (20-48-59).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 120001
Time elapsed: 8 minute(s), 24 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 4
Registry Values Infected: 1
Registry Data Items Infected: 3
Folders Infected: 3
Files Infected: 6

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\{19127ad2-394b-70f5-c650-b97867baa1f7} (Backdoor.Bot) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\{43bf8cd1-c5d5-2230-7bb2-98f22c2b7dc6} (Backdoor.Bot) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-18\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\{19127ad2-394b-70f5-c650-b97867baa1f7} (Backdoor.Bot) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-18\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\{43bf8cd1-c5d5-2230-7bb2-98f22c2b7dc6} (Backdoor.Bot) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Network\UID (Malware.Trace) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Userinit (Backdoor.Bot) -> Data: c:\windows\system32\twext.exe -> Delete on reboot.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Userinit (Backdoor.Bot) -> Data: system32\twext.exe -> Delete on reboot.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Userinit (Hijack.Userinit) -> Bad: (C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,C:\WINDOWS\system32\twext.exe,) Good: (Userinit.exe) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Folders Infected:
C:\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Application Data\twain_32 (Trojan.Zbot) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Application Data\twain_32 (Trojan.Zbot) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\WINDOWS\system32\twain_32 (Backdoor.Bot) -> Delete on reboot.

Files Infected:
C:\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Application Data\twain_32\user.ds (Trojan.Zbot) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Application Data\twain_32\user.ds (Trojan.Zbot) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\WINDOWS\system32\twain_32\local.ds (Backdoor.Bot) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\WINDOWS\system32\twain_32\user.ds (Backdoor.Bot) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\WINDOWS\system32\twain_32\user.ds.cla (Backdoor.Bot) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\WINDOWS\system32\twext.exe (Backdoor.Bot) -> Delete on reboot.

Hmmm

Please download SmitfraudFix

Double-click SmitfraudFix.exe
Select option #1 - Search by typing 1 and press "Enter"; a text file will appear, which lists infected files (if present).
Please copy/paste the content of that report into your next reply.

Note : process.exe is detected by some antivirus programs (AntiVir, Dr.Web, Kaspersky) as a "RiskTool"; it is not a virus, but a program used to stop system processes. Antivirus programs cannot distinguish between "good" and "malicious" use of such programs, therefore they may alert the user.
http://www.beyondlogic.org/consulting/proc...processutil.htm

Hello. I ran Smitfraudfix but it stops at the point shown in this screen capture:



There was no text file generated. I waited a few hours and there was no disk activity. Please advise.

With regard to the additional infections found by Malwarebytes, could these have been downloaded whilst the computer was online between running the ESET scan and the second Malwarebytes scan? I have been keeping the internet connection disabled when not in use but did not disable it for the 20 minutes or so between running scans.

Please also note that McAfee on-access scanner is still being disabled on start up. I haven't used Google so don't know if that is still affected.

Apologies if I'm getting ahead of myself. Taking into account the above and the additional infections discovered, does this indicate a rootkit infection - or was that the next step?

Thanks for your continued assistance.

Edited by technik, 28 October 2009 - 01:29 PM.

Rigel, do you have any new advice for me? Thanks

Okay. I ran Smitfraudfix in safe mode and it worked. Log file as follows:

SmitFraudFix v2.424

Scan done at 15:14:07.84, 31/10/2009
Run from C:\Documents and Settings\Alex\Desktop\SmitfraudFix
OS: Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600] - Windows_NT
The filesystem type is NTFS
Fix run in safe mode

»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» Process

C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Documents and Settings\Alex\Desktop\SmitfraudFix\Policies.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe

»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» hosts


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» C:\


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» C:\WINDOWS


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» C:\WINDOWS\system


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» C:\WINDOWS\Web


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» C:\WINDOWS\system32


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» C:\WINDOWS\system32\LogFiles


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» C:\Documents and Settings\Alex


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» D:\Alex$\Tmp


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» C:\Documents and Settings\Alex\Application Data


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» Start Menu


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» C:\DOCUME~1\Alex\FAVORI~1


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» Desktop


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» C:\Program Files

C:\Program Files\Google\googletoolbar1.dll FOUND !

»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» Corrupted keys


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» Desktop Components

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\Components\0]
"Source"="About:Home"
"SubscribedURL"="About:Home"
"FriendlyName"="My Current Home Page"


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» o4Patch
!!!Attention, following keys are not inevitably infected!!!

o4Patch
Credits: Malware Analysis & Diagnostic
Code: S!Ri



»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» IEDFix
!!!Attention, following keys are not inevitably infected!!!

IEDFix
Credits: Malware Analysis & Diagnostic
Code: S!Ri



»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» Agent.OMZ.Fix
!!!Attention, following keys are not inevitably infected!!!

Agent.OMZ.Fix
Credits: Malware Analysis & Diagnostic
Code: S!Ri


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» VACFix
!!!Attention, following keys are not inevitably infected!!!

VACFix
Credits: Malware Analysis & Diagnostic
Code: S!Ri


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» 404Fix
!!!Attention, following keys are not inevitably infected!!!

404Fix
Credits: Malware Analysis & Diagnostic
Code: S!Ri


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» Sharedtaskscheduler
!!!Attention, following keys are not inevitably infected!!!

SrchSTS.exe by S!Ri
Search SharedTaskScheduler's .dll


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» AppInit_DLLs
!!!Attention, following keys are not inevitably infected!!!

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows]
"AppInit_DLLs"=""


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» Winlogon
!!!Attention, following keys are not inevitably infected!!!

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Userinit"="C:\\WINDOWS\\system32\\userinit.exe,"

»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» RK

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"System"=""




»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» DNS

HKLM\SYSTEM\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{3059E4BD-DC9D-4132-BE8E-EAC383FCA9F6}: DhcpNameServer=194.168.4.100 194.168.8.100
HKLM\SYSTEM\CS1\Services\Tcpip\..\{3059E4BD-DC9D-4132-BE8E-EAC383FCA9F6}: DhcpNameServer=194.168.4.100 194.168.8.100
HKLM\SYSTEM\CS2\Services\Tcpip\..\{3059E4BD-DC9D-4132-BE8E-EAC383FCA9F6}: DhcpNameServer=194.168.4.100 194.168.8.100
HKLM\SYSTEM\CCS\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: DhcpNameServer=194.168.4.100 194.168.8.100
HKLM\SYSTEM\CS1\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: DhcpNameServer=194.168.4.100 194.168.8.100
HKLM\SYSTEM\CS2\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: DhcpNameServer=194.168.4.100 194.168.8.100


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» Scanning for wininet.dll infection


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» End

I got you PM Technik.. sorry for the delay.

I have looked back at your logs and feel you do have a rootkit. It is best to transfer you to the HJT forums so more adbaced tools can be used for cleaning. Please follow this guide from step (6). Post a HJT log to the HJT forum and a Team member will be along to help you as soon as possible. You may wish to post a link back to this topic to see what was discussed thus far.

If you need any help with the guide, please let me know.

Edited by rigel, 31 October 2009 - 08:57 PM.

Thank you again for all your support and assistance.

Hello,

Now that you have posted a log here: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/270958/web-browser-redirect/ you should NOT make further changes to your computer (install/uninstall programs, use special fix tools, delete files, edit the registry, etc) unless advised by a HJT Team member, nor should you ask for help elsewhere. Doing so can result in system changes which may not show in the log you already posted. Further, any modifications you make on your own may cause confusion for the helper assisting you and could complicate the malware removal process which would extend the time it takes to clean your computer.

From this point on the HJT Team should be the only members that you take advice from, until they have verified your log as clean.

Please be patient. It may take a while to get a response because the HJT Team members are EXTREMELY busy working logs posted before yours. They are volunteers who will help you out as soon as possible. Once you have made your post and are waiting, please DO NOT make another reply until it has been responded to by a member of the HJT Team. Generally the staff checks the forum for postings that have 0 replies as this makes it easier for them to identify those who have not been helped. If you post another response there will be 1 reply. A team member, looking for a new log to work may assume another HJT Team member is already assisting you and not open the thread to respond.

Please be patient. It may take several days, up to two weeks perhaps less, to get a response but your log will be reviewed and answered as soon as possible. I advise checking your topic once a day for responses as the e-mail notification system is unreliable.

To avoid confusion, I am closing this topic. Good luck with your log.

Orange Blossom