url redirection issues - malware?

Hello,

I have been working on my in-laws computer which they brought to me after a large number of pop ups started appearing. When I received it the computer was infected with AntiVirus System Pro which I believe I have successfully removed. It still has at least one issue but I am not having any luck in resolving this myself.

Machine is an HP with Win XP media SP2 installed.

I currently have it unhooked from the internet but I have hooked it up earlier to verify that the redirection/hijack occurs when using Internet Explorer (version 7) and when using Yahoo as the search engine. Firefox is able to search using Yahoo without any issues so I believe it is an IE/Yahoo problem. I can search in both browsers using Google or Bing with no issues. It's only the IE/Yahoo combination that produces problems. When I search the results will show fine and when I hover over the result I want the address will be in the status bar below but when I click on it the address bar at the top will refresh a number of times very fast and then land at another site (allgive, drnickerson were 2 I could read).

I have done scans with these programs. And I can run scans or reports using any of them (or other programs) under supervision as I may not be using them to their full capacity:

Malwarebytes
Ad-Aware
AVG
Spybot Search & Destroy
Scan Spyware
CCleaner

Thanks to whoever can give me some assistance with this!

Please download TFC by Old Timer and save it to your desktop.
alternate download link

• Save any unsaved work. TFC will close ALL open programs including your browser!
• Double-click on TFC.exe to run it. If you are using Vista, right-click on the file and choose Run As Administrator.
• Click the Start button to begin the cleaning process and let it run uninterrupted to completion.
• Important! If TFC prompts you to reboot, please do so immediately. If not prompted, manually reboot the machine anyway to ensure a complete clean.

Please download 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

Thank you Rigel! I have performed everything listed in your instructions and here is my MBAM report:


Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.41
Database version: 3221
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2

11/23/2009 9:27:38 PM
mbam-log-2009-11-23 (21-27-38).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 114209
Time elapsed: 3 minute(s), 16 second(s)

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

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

----------------------------------------------------

MBAM had not detected anything previously either so I am hopeful that TFC cleaned out the problem?

What are my next steps? Turn on my virus protection and try a Yahoo search? I don't want to get ahead of myself so I will wait for further instruction before doing anything else!

Thanks very much for your help so far!

You are welcome

Let's try another scan and then an online scan.

Please download and scan with 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 it will not start, go to Start > All Prgrams > SUPERAntiSpyware and click on Alternate Start.
• 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. Double-click on the hyperlink for Download Installer and save SASDEFINITIONS.EXE to your desktop. Then double-click on SASDEFINITIONS.EXE to install the definitions.)
• In the Main Menu, 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".

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.

Next:
I'd like us to scan your machine with ESET OnlineScan

• Hold down Control and click on the following link to open ESET OnlineScan in a new window.
  ESET OnlineScan
• Click the button.
• For alternate browsers only: (Microsoft Internet Explorer users can skip these steps)
  • Click on to download the ESET Smart Installer. Save it to your desktop.
  • Double click on the icon on your desktop.
• Check
• Click the button.
• Accept any security warnings from your browser.
• Check
• Push the Start button.
• ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
• When the scan completes, push
• Push , and save the file to your desktop using a unique name, such as ESETScan. Include the contents of this report in your next reply.
• Push the button.
• Push

I may run into an issue trying to do this. I have not been able to get the computer to start in safe mode since I received it from my mother in law. I have only gotten an error that... and I can't remember the exact wording... but it is something like a "page fault in a non-paged area" and a blue screen instead of Windows loading.

I am going to attempt it now and transfer internet over to my own computer so that I can keep your instructions handy!

<edit> It is as I figured, I am not able to start in safe mode. I can hit F8 and get to the screen to select safe mode, then I see all the directories scroll by but it give me the blue page with the notice: PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA

I am not sure if this was an issue prior to the virus/malware problems as I had never had the need to start their computer in safe mode for them. When I received the computer I tried to start in safe mode before running any type of scans and I got the same error.

Edited by branduin, 23 November 2009 - 11:04 PM.

Try running SuperAntiSpyware in Normal mode then...

Here is the log from running SAS in normal mode. Looks like just a cookie from CNN?

SUPERAntiSpyware Scan Log
http://www.superantispyware.com

Generated 11/24/2009 at 05:00 PM

Application Version : 4.31.1000

Core Rules Database Version : 4307
Trace Rules Database Version: 2173

Scan type : Complete Scan
Total Scan Time : 00:42:23

Memory items scanned : 438
Memory threats detected : 0
Registry items scanned : 5962
Registry threats detected : 0
File items scanned : 91512
File threats detected : 1

Adware.Tracking Cookie
C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Administrator\Cookies\hp_administrator@ads.cnn[1].txt

I let ESET run overnight and when I got home from work this morning it had found no threats.

I did notice that in the hosts file that Spybot S&D had put in a long list of blocked websites. There is also a backup of the hosts file dated 2 days before I received the computer (the day my mother in law called me about it).

<edit> I closed the ESET program since it had no threats so I forgot to look for the report. Shall I run it again to copy and paste it here in my thread or does it not produce a report if there are not threats?

Edited by branduin, 25 November 2009 - 04:27 PM.

*update*

Since you had not replied yesterday morning I was being naughty and decided to test out Internet Explorer since I had really wanted to take the computer with on Thanksgiving and get it set back up at their house while I was there. IE now takes a really long time to load, like it goes into "not responding" for a minute or so before it actually loads completely. Once it loaded it seemed to work fine and I was able to search in Yahoo and click on the results and it took me to the correct pages. I tested searches for "CNN" and for "virus protection" and it worked properly.

I did NOT end up taking the computer back to them yesterday though, as I was hesitant seeing how IE was acting so sluggish. They will not be using IE for anything as I only have them use FireFox (that's the only browser icon on their desktop) but I want to make sure there is nothing on their computer that will compromise anything that they do.

Previous to joining BC and posting this issue, I had uninstalled Firefox and installed the latest version and then updated IE from 6.0 to 7.0. Then I had tested each browser with the 3 major search engines to find that it was a IE/Yahoo problem.

Do you think that the issue is gone now and the computer is safe to take back to them or do you have some other thoughts on what I should check before declaring it free and clear? She did locate the "HP recovery" CDs yesterday so I have those if it really comes down to it.

Everything looks clean, let's do one more run:

Install RootRepeal

Click here - Official Rootrepeal Site, and download RootRepeal.zip. I recommend downloading to your desktop.
Fatdcuk at Malwarebytes posted a comprehensive tutorial - Self Help guide can be found here if needed.: Malwarebytes Removal and Self Help Guides.
Click RootRepeal.exe to open the scanner.
Click the Report tab, now click on Scan. A Window will open asking what to include in the scan.
Check the following items:
Drivers
Files
Processes
SSDT
Stealth Objects
Hidden Services
Click OK
Scan your C Drive (Or your current system drive) and click OK. The scan will begin. This my take a moment, so please be patient. When the scan completes, click Save Report.
Name the log RootRepeal.txt and save it to your Documents folder - (Default folder).
Paste the log into your next reply.

Here is the report:



ROOTREPEAL © AD, 2007-2009
==================================================
Scan Start Time: 2009/11/27 21:59
Program Version: Version 1.3.5.0
Windows Version: Windows XP Media Center Edition SP2
==================================================

Drivers
-------------------
Name: rootrepeal.sys
Image Path: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\rootrepeal.sys
Address: 0xAE183000 Size: 49152 File Visible: No Signed: -
Status: -

Hidden/Locked Files
-------------------
Path: C:\Program Files\Yahoo! Games\Dream Day Wedding - Married in Manhattan\Dream Day Wedding - Married in Manhattan.exe:{94614BC4-2A81-4553-2929-2AABF3F8AEE2}
Status: Visible to the Windows API, but not on disk.

Path: C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore\Logs\tmp.edb
Status: Visible to the Windows API, but not on disk.

Path: C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir\9482F4B4-E343-43B6-B170-9A65BC822C77\wuredir.cab.bak
Status: Invisible to the Windows API!

SSDT
-------------------
#: 041 Function Name: NtCreateKey
Status: Hooked by "Lbd.sys" at address 0xba8f887e

#: 247 Function Name: NtSetValueKey
Status: Hooked by "Lbd.sys" at address 0xba8f8bfe

==EOF==

Edited by branduin, 27 November 2009 - 11:28 PM.

Let's do one more series and then return it if clean...

Please rerun TFC then...

Create a New Restore Point to prevent possible reinfection from an old one. Some of the malware you picked up could have been 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.
• 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.

Next:

Before we start fixing anything you should print out these instructions or copy them to a NotePad file so they will be accessible. Some steps will require you to disconnect from the Internet or use Safe Mode and you will not have access to this page.

Please download DrWeb-CureIt and save it to your desktop. DO NOT perform a scan 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".

Scan with Dr.Web CureIt as follows:

• Double-click on launch.exe to open the program and click Start. (There is no need to update if you just downloaded the most current version
• Read the Virus check by DrWeb scanner prompt and click Ok where asked to Start scan now? Allow the setup.exe to load if asked by any of your security programs.
• The Express scan will automatically begin.
  (This is a short scan of files currently running in memory, boot sectors, and targeted folders).
• If prompted to dowload the Full version Free Trial, ignore and click the X to close the window.
• If an infected object is found, you will be prompted to move anything that cannot be cured. Click Yes to All. (This will move any detected files to the C:\Documents and Settings\userprofile\DoctorWeb\Quarantine folder if they can't be cured)

• After the Express Scan is finished, put a check next to Complete scan to scan all local disks and removable media.
• In the top menu, click Settings > Change settings, and unheck "Heuristic analysis" under the "Scanning" tab, then click Apply, Ok.
• Back at the main window, click the green arrow "Start Scanning" button on the right under the Dr.Web logo.
• Please be patient as this scan could take a long time to complete.
• When the scan has finished, a message will be displayed at the bottom indicating if any viruses were found.
• Click Select All, then choose Cure > Move incurable.
• In the top menu, click file and choose save report list.
• Save the DrWeb.csv report to your desktop.
• Exit Dr.Web Cureit when done.
• Important! Reboot your computer because it could be possible that files in use will be moved/deleted during reboot.
• After reboot, post the contents of the log from Dr.Web in your next reply. (You can use Notepad to open the DrWeb.cvs report)

Thanks! I have run TFC and mad ea restore point. I still can't start in Safe Mode but I am going to start the DrWeb in normal mode right now.

*bump*

I've run into a problem in scanning with DrWeb. It keeps "curing" the same file over and over. It is C:/windows/system32/drivers/atapi.sys and it keeps curing BackDoor.Tdss.935. It's done it over 70 times already so I am going to just try to stop the program and wait for further instructions. Again, this is in normal mode since I still can't get Windows to start in Safe Mode.

<edit> I could not get DrWeb to stop or exit so I just had to turn off the computer. It was at about 114 times trying to cure by then...

Edited by branduin, 29 November 2009 - 12:28 PM.

Sorry for the delay. Thanksgiving was great here.

Dr. Web found the problem. You have a rootkit - on of the newer ones. The only way to clean your computer completely is by using the advanced tools found in the HJT forum. Please follow this guide from step (6). Post a DDS 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.