Jump to content

Microsoft Toolkit infection

dusica

By dusica
in Resolved Malware Removal Logs

 Share

Recommended Posts

dusica

dusica

Posted
Posted

Hello guys, so without my knowledge my son in an attempt to install a pirated version of Microsoft office tools used microsoft toolkit for activation and obviously got my computer infected.

The zip file of the microsoft toolkit is in downloads  folder named: Microsoft Toolkit Final - pass 123456

I ran a scan with Malwarebytes and Farbar and have attached the scan logs.

Please help...

Addition.txt

mwb scan 1.txt

FRST.txt

Link to post
Share on other sites
Aura

Aura

Posted
Posted

Hi dusica :)

My name is Aura and I'll be assisting you with your malware issue. Since we'll be working together, you can call me Aura or Yoan, which is my real name, it's up to you! Now that we've broke the ice, I'll just ask you a few things during the time we'll be working together to clean your system and get it back to an operational state.

  • As you'll notice, the logs we are asking for here are quite lenghty, so it's normal for me to not reply exactly after you post them. This is because I need some time to analyse them and then act accordingly. However, I'll always reply within 24 hours, 48 hours at most if something unexpected happens;
  • As long as I'm assisting you on Malwarebytes Forums, in this thread, I'll ask you to not seek assistance anywhere else for any issue related to the system we are working on. If you have an issue, question, etc. about your computer, please ask it in this thread and I'll assist you;
  • The same principle applies to any modifications you make to your system, I would like you to ask me before you do any manipulations that aren't in the instructions I posted. This is to ensure that we are operating in sync and I know exactly what's happening on your system;
  • If you aren't sure about an instruction I'm giving you, ask me about it. This is to ensure that the clean-up process goes without any issue. I'll answer you and even give you more precise instructions/explanations if you need. There's no shame in asking questions here, better be safe than sorry!;
  • If you don't reply to your thread within 3 days, I'll bump this thread to let you know that I'm waiting for you. If you don't reply after 5 days, it'll be closed. If you return after that period, you can send me a PM to get it unlocked and we'll continue where we left off;
  • Since malware can work quickly, we want to get rid of them as fast as we can, before they make unknown changes to the system. This being said, I would appreciate if you could reply to this thread within 24 hours of me posting. This way, we'll have a good clean-up rhythm and the chances of complications will be reduced;
  • I'm against any form of pirated, illegal and counterfeit software and material. So if you have any installed on your system, I'll ask you to uninstall them right now. You don't have to tell me if you indeed had some or not, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Plus, this would be against Malwarebytes Forums's rules;
  • In the end, you are the one asking for assistance here. So if you wish to go a different way during the clean-up, like format and reinstall Windows, you are free to do so. I would appreciate you to let me know about it first, and if you need, I can also assist you in the process;
  • I would appreciate if you were to stay with me until the end, which means, until I declare your system clean. Just because your system isn't behaving weirdly anymore, or is running better than before, it doesn't mean that the infection is completely gone;
    This being said, I have a full time job so sometimes it'll take longer for me to reply to you. Don't worry, you'll be my first priority as soon as I get home and have time to look at your thread;


This being said, it's time to clean-up some malware, so let's get started, shall we? :)

Please give me a few hours to review your logs and get back at you.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Aura

Aura

Posted
Posted

Thank you for waiting :)

warning.gifMalicious Programs Warning!

I noticed that you have malicious programs installed on your system. I'll ask you to uninstall them since uninstalling such programs before running malware removal tools will ensure a better clean-up.

  • amuleC
  • WinSnare


If you have an issue when uninstalling a program, please let me know.

It looks like Malwarebytes pretty much took care of the "big" of the infection, but there are still remnants that we need to clean. We'll start with a first FRST fix, followed by a JRT and AdwCleaner sweep.

iO3R662.pngFarbar Recovery Scan Tool (FRST) - Fix mode
Follow the instructions below to execute a fix on your system using FRST, and provide the log in your next reply.

  • Download the attached fixlist.txt file, and save it on your Desktop (or wherever your FRST.exe/FRST64.exe executable is located);
  • Right-click on the FRST executable and select Spcusrh.pngRun as Administrator (for Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 users);
  • Click on the Fix button;
    NYA5Cbr.png
  • On completion, a message will come up saying that the fix has been completed and it'll open a log in Notepad;
  • Copy and paste its content in your next reply;

iT103hr.pngJunkware Removal Tool (JRT)

  • Download Junkware Removal Tool (JRT) and move it to your Desktop;
  • Right-click on JRT.exe and select Spcusrh.pngRun as Administrator (for Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 users);
  • Press on any key to launch the scan and let it complete;
    tLsXbWy.png
    Credits : BleepingComputer.com
  • Once the scan is complete, a log will open. Please copy/paste the content of the output log in your next reply;

zcMPezJ.pngAdwCleaner - Fix Mode

  • Download AdwCleaner and move it to your Desktop;
  • Right-click on AdwCleaner.exe and select Spcusrh.pngRun as Administrator (for Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 users);
  • Accept the EULA (I accept), let the database update, then click on Scan;
  • Let the scan complete. Once it's done, make sure that every item listed in the different tabs is checked and click on the Cleaning button. This will kill all the active processes;
    MV5ejgW.png
  • Once the cleaning process is complete, AdwCleaner will ask to restart your computer, do it;
  • After the restart, a log will open when logging in. Please copy/paste the content of that log in your next reply;

Your next reply(ies) should include:

  • Confirmation that the programs listed above have been uninstalled, if not, which ones and why;
  • Copy/pasted content of FRST's fixlog.txt;
  • Copy/pasted content of JRT.txt;
  • Copy/pasted content of AdwCleaner's clean log;

fixlist.txt

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites
Aura

Aura

Posted
Posted

Awesome :) Let's just run EEK to see if it catches any remnants, and run SFC to replace the patched user32.dll files.

G0tu5D9.pngEmsisoft Emergency Kit
Follow the instructions below to run a scan using the Emsisoft Emergency Kit.

  • Download the Emsisoft Emergency Kit and execute it. From there, click on the Extract button to extract the program in the EEK folder;
  • Once the extraction is complete, Emsisoft Emergency Kit will open, and suggest you to run an online update before using the program. Click on Yes to launch it.
  • After the update, click on Malware Scan under 2. Scan and accept to let Emsisoft Emergency Kit detect PUPs (click on Yes).
  • Once the scan is complete, make sure that every item in the list is checked, and click on Quarantine selected;
    Egla2gt.png
  • If it asks you for a reboot to delete some items, click on Ok to reboot automatically;
  • After the restart, click on the Start Emsisoft Emergency Kit icon again on your desktop to open it;
  • This time, click on Logs;
  • From there, go under the Quarantine Log tab, and click on the Export button;
    IgfWDr3.png
  • Save the log on your desktop, then open it, and copy/paste its content in your next reply;

EndqYRa.pngSystem File Checker (SFC)
Follow the instructions below to run a SFC scan on your system and to provide the CBS log in your next reply;

  • On Windows Vista & 7, click on the Windows Start Menu, then enter cmd in the search box, right-click on the cmd icon and select Spcusrh.pngRun as Administrator
  • On Windows 8, drag your cursor in the bottom-left corner, and right-click on the metro menu preview, then select Command Prompt (Admin);
  • On Windows 8.1 and Windows 10, right click on the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner and select Command Prompt (Admin);
  • Enter the command below and press on Enter;
    sfc /scannow

    Note: There's a space between "sfc" and "/scannow";
  • Once the scan is complete, enter the command below and press on Enter
    copy %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log "%userprofile%\Desktop\cbs.txt"
  • A file called cbs.txt will have appeared on your Desktop. Upload the file on Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive and post the download URL for it here;


Note: Please note that the CBS.log is volatile, which means that if you don't upload it after the SFC scan is completed, it won't have the information from the scan anymore. So archive it and upload it as soon as you can.

Is your system behaving properly now, or are there still malware-related issues in your end?

Your next reply(ies) should include:

  • Copy/pasted content of EEK's clean log;
  • Download URL to the CBS.log;
  • Answer to my question about your system's current state;

 

Link to post
Share on other sites
Aura

Aura

Posted
Posted

Good, it looks like SFC successfully repaired the patched user32.dll files. Now, let's get a fresh set of FRST logs to see if there's anything left.

iO3R662.pngFarbar Recovery Scan Tool (FRST) - Scan mode
Follow the instructions below to download and execute a scan on your system with FRST, and provide the logs in your next reply.

  • Right-click on the executable and select Spcusrh.pngRun as Administrator (for Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 users);
  • Accept the disclaimer by clicking on Yes, and FRST will then do a back-up of your Registry which should take a few seconds;
  • Click on the Scan button;
  • On completion, two message box will open, saying that the results were saved to FRST.txt and Addition.txt, then open two Notepad files;
  • Copy and paste the content of both FRST.txt and Addition.txt in your next reply;

Your next reply(ies) should include:

  • Copy/pasted content of FRST.txt;
  • Copy/pasted content of Addition.txt;

Link to post
Share on other sites
Aura

Aura

Posted
Posted

Looks like the Google Chrome hijack cameback. Do you have another computer, laptop, phone or any other device with Google Chrome installed, and where you are logged in with your user (gmail)?

Follow the instructions below please.

iO3R662.pngFarbar Recovery Scan Tool (FRST) - Fix mode
Follow the instructions below to execute a fix on your system using FRST, and provide the log in your next reply.

  • Download the attached fixlist.txt file, and save it on your Desktop (or wherever your FRST.exe/FRST64.exe executable is located);
  • Right-click on the FRST executable and select Spcusrh.pngRun as Administrator (for Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 users);
  • Click on the Fix button;
    NYA5Cbr.png
  • On completion, a message will come up saying that the fix has been completed and it'll open a log in Notepad;
  • Copy and paste its content in your next reply;

Your next reply(ies) should include:

  • Answer to my question about Google Chrome;
  • Copy/pasted content of FRST's fixlog.txt;

Link to post
Share on other sites
dusica

dusica

Posted
  • Author
Posted

There is one other computer with Chrome which I used to log on my Google account to check mail but that was before this infection had happened. Other than this computer there is no other device where I am currently logged in with my google account.

One quick question, I can't find the attached fixlist.txt in your response this time. Should I use the one you attached in one of your prior responses?

Link to post
Share on other sites
dusica

dusica

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Oh you mean logging into Chrome? I haven't done that ever on either of my devices as far as i know... Just to be clear, I will attach a pic(Sign in chrome.jpg) with the Chrome settings where you can see that there is no option to "Disconnect your Google Account" only " Sign In". This is the case on both of the devices. I have only used the other computer to log into my Google account (Gmail).

One thing I noticed:

An extension Splinter Search (pic attached-this is the state of Chrome after Farbar) sets up as my default search engine after doing Farbar fix..I think this has happened every time since the infection but somehow I managed not to mention that. This is still the case after Farbar did the latest fix and restarted my computer. 

Also I now see a debug.txt on my desktop which I have no idea where it came from or if it is in any way related to this process but I'll attach that as well. 

Sign in chrome.JPG

splinter search extension.JPG

Fixlog.txt

debug.log

Link to post
Share on other sites
Aura

Aura

Posted
Posted

It looks like you'll have to uninstall Google Chrome, and reinstall it to get rid of Splinter Search. Once done, run FRST again (a normal scan) and provide me the FRST.txt and Addition.txt logs.

Also, there's not enough information in the debug.log file to know what created it sadly.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Aura

Aura

Posted
Posted (edited)

No problem dusica, you're welcome :)

Now, we'll just run DelFix to remove the tools and logs that were used in this clean-up and reset a couple of settings.

BWuhenj.pngDelFix
Follow the instructions below to download and execute DelFix.

  • Download DelFix and move the executable to your Desktop;
  • Right-click on DelFix.exe and select Spcusrh.pngRun as Administrator (for Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 users);
  • Check the following options :
    • Activate UAC;
    • Remove disinfection tools;
    • Create registry backup;
    • Purge system restore;
    • Reset system settings;
  • Once all the options mentionned above are checked, click on Run;
  • After DelFix is done running, a log will open. Please copy/paste the content of the output log in your next reply;

Qt25440.pngTips, tricks, advice and recommendations

Now it's time to give you some tips, tricks, advice and recommendations on how to protect your system and prevent you from being infected in the future. This is where I'll explain basic security measures that you should take to protect and harden your system, and also make sure it stays as safe and secure as possible against hackers and malware. You are free to ignore the recommendations listed below, although I obviously do not recommend it. If you have any questions about one of the points covered in the speech below, feel free to ask me your questions here directly so I can answer them and guide you.

Windows Updates

Keeping Windows up to date is one of the first steps in having a safe and secure system. The Security Updates that Windows receives are meant to fix exploits and flaws in it that makes it more secure and not exploitable by hackers. In order to do that, you should always install the Security Updates, known as "Important Updates" on your Windows system. These updates are released on the second Tuesday of every month, but some are also released before if they are emergency/critical Security Updates. Let's make sure that you have all your Important Updates and Recommended Updates installed and that your Windows Updates are set to be installed automatically.

Keeping your programs up-to-date

Like keeping Windows updated, keeping your installed programs up-to-date is another important step in having a safe and secure system. Outdated programs can be exploited by hackers and malware to infect a system and take it over. This is especially true today with the rise of Exploit Kits which is one of the biggest attack vectors to distribute malware. Therefore, you should always keep vulnerable programs like Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Shockwave Player, Java, Silverlight, etc. updated to their most recent version (even better, you don't have to install them if you don't use them). Programs like eLDnJfI.pngSecuniaPSI and dqVs5wj.pngHeimdal Free will scan your system for outdated programs, and help you identify them, as well as update them.

Antivirus, Antimalware, Firewall and Anti-Exploit/Ransomware

Having a decent security setup (led by an Antivirus) is the most crucial step to protect a system. These programs are a layer of defence that will prevent a system from being infected, or if it somehow ends up infected, help mitigate the infection and remediate it. Ideally, you should have on your system one Antivirus (never more than one installed at the time), one Antimalware (you can install multiple of these, assuming they do not conflict with each other and the other security programs installed), one Firewall and if you wish, one Anti-Exploit and/or Anti-Ransomware (since Ransomware are currently the most dangerous threat around and it can hit anywhere). Here are a few programs worth checking out if you don't have one yet.

Note: The programs listed below are all free to use or they have some sort of trial. Some of them have a paid version that provides more features, while a lot of other good programs only have a paid version but aren't listed there (such as Kaspersky and ESET Antivirus products).

Antivirus

Antimalware

Firewall
Starting in Windows Vista, the Windows Firewall greatly improved and will satisfy the needs of most users. If you do not have an Internet Suite Antivirus program (which includes a firewall) and you want to use a 3rd party firewall, you can consider the options below.

  • 7p3JzTS.pngGlassWire - Has both a free and paid version (with different packages);
  • MQIMh6k.pngWindows Firewall Control - Gives you more control over your Windows Firewall;
  • 5RXGshU.pngTinyWall - Lightweight firewall implementing the Windows Firewall and giving you more control over it;

Anti-Exploit/Anti-Ransomware

Web Browsers and Web Browsing

Web Browsers could be considered as the closest door between a malware and your system. This is where most malware goes through to infect a system, and therefore it should be the program(s) you want to secure the most. There are two ways of going about it: hardening your web browser via extensions, and having good browsing habits. 

Hardening your web browser means to install extensions that will help it protect itself (and your system on the same occasion) against Exploit Kits, MiTM attacks, etc. but also you at the same time. Here are a few extensions that I recommend you to install.

  • uBlock Origin: Efficient multi-purpose blocker that is lightweight on RAM and CPU usage (Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, called uBlock on Opera);
  • HTTPS Everywhere: Extension that converts your HTTP (unencrypted) requests to HTTPS (encrypted) ones (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Opera);
  • Web of Trust: Website reputation, rating and review extension that will help you quickly identify bad and suspicious sites from good ones (every web browsers);
  • NoScript: NoScript is a script blocker (Java, Flash, JavaScript, etc.) for Mozilla Firefox and Firefox-based browsers (Mozilla Firefox and Firefox-based web browsers);
  • uMatrix: For advanced users, a point and click matrix-like extensions that allow you to control requests done on a webpage (based on source, destination and type) (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Opera);
  • LastPass: Secure password manager allowing you to create, manage, and use passwords you save in your LastPass account (every web browser);

As for safe browsing habits, you can find tons of guides, tutorials, articles, etc. online that will highlight the basics you need to follow (only visit websites you trust, do not click on ads, do not download files from untrusted sources, use a password manager, always verify the URL of a website and make sure it's correctly typed, etc.), and even what you can do if you want to take it a step further (create a fake email address for spam emails, browse the web in a privacy mode, etc.). Here are a few:


As you can see, there are plenty of resources out there. Simply Googling "good browsing habits" or "safe browsing habits" should allow you to find a lot of them.

Other recommendations

Even if you follow every recommendation that I listed here, in the end, it's also your job to be careful when browsing the web and downloading files if you don't want to get infected. Therefore, if you use your brain (common sense) when browsing the web, downloading programs and files, etc., you have far less chances to get infected by a malware. If for example you're not sure if a website is legitimate or not, or if a file is safe to download and execute, or if a program looks "too good" to be free, I suggest you to avoid going to that website, downloading that file or using that program.

Here are a few guides, tutorials, articles, etc. that you could read in order to learn more about computer protection and security to improve your current computer protection setup but also improve your good web browsing and computer usage practices :


gRvSooB.pngThe End!

And that's it! Now that you know more about how to protect your computer and secure it, you're good to go back to your online activities, but in a safe and secure way! You are also free to stay on Malwarebytes Forums and ask for help in different topics if you ever need to. Just make sure that you post your question/issue in the right section to get the best assistance possible. And if you ever get infected again (which I hope you wont!), you can always comeback in this section to get another checkup with one of our trained malware removal member.

Do you have any questions before I close this thread? :)

Edited by Aura
Link to post
Share on other sites
  • Root Admin
AdvancedSetup

AdvancedSetup

Posted
  • Root Admin
Posted

Glad we could help. :)If you need this topic reopened, please send a Private Message to any one of the moderating team members. Please include a link to this thread with your request. This applies only to the originator of this thread.Other members who need assistance please start your own topic in a new thread. Thanks!

Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
Back to top
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

This site uses cookies - We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.