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new malware? vsctxhksvc.exe and pshvkoz.exe files

wkellogg57
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wkellogg57

wkellogg57

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I downloaded a freeware music converter, with pre-warning and knowledge of how to deselect unwanted add-ons, plugins, etc. Downloaded file is supersetup and I still have it. I believe it's this file that somehow infected me with the 2 files (vsctxhksvc.exe & pshvkoz.exe). I cannot get rid of them and find nothing via Google. Even booting in safe and repair (console) mode. I can delete the files but they come back. Cannot find anything in registry. I use Kaspersky for AV (have full Internet Security version) and they are no help. I believe it's malware and not a virus as it's only affecting my resources and on/off browsing & downloading (AV updates, Malwarebytes downloads, etc.), intermittently disconnecting my internet browsing. No other machine on my home network is affected, nor do they contain these files. The longer the computer stays on the browser (primarily Chrome, but Edge & Firefox are affected), grows to over 90% RAM use. Reboot and I'm fine for about 5 mins. This is all my fault and I can usually clean these things with tools. I cannot believe there is no mention of these files via Google. Any help would be appreciated.

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Aura

Aura

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Hi wkellogg57 :)

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? :)

Follow the instructions in the thread below, and provide me both FRST logs (FRST.txt and Addition.txt). You can attach them in your next post, or copy/paste their content.

https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/9573-im-infected-what-do-i-do-now/

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Aura

Aura

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Launch FRST and copy/paste the following inside the text area. Once done, click on the Fix button. Afterwards, a file called fixlog.txt should be on your desktop. Attach it in your next reply. 

Start::
CMD: bcdedit.exe /set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu yes
CMD: bcdedit.exe /set {default} recoveryenabled yes
CMD: fltmc instances
CMD: dir C:\Windows\system32\drivers
End::

 

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Aura

Aura

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For the next part, you'll need to download the FRST executable and fixlist.txt on a clean computer, and move them on your USB Flash Drive. That USB can only be inserted in the infected computer if it is either shutdown, or in the Windows RE. Otherwise, the infection will mess with the files on the USB and you'll have to restart.

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

Item(s) required:

  • USB Flash Drive (size depend on if you have to create a USB Recovery or Installation media)
  • CD/DVD (optional: only needed if you need to create a Recovery or Installation media and your USB Flash Drive is too small)
  • Another computer (optional: only needed if you cannot work from the infected computer directly)

Preparing the USB Flash Drive

  • Download the right version of FRST for your system:
  • Move the executable (FRST.exe or FRST64.exe) on your USB Flash Drive
  • Download the attached fixlist.txt, and move it on your USB Flash Drive as well

Boot in the Recovery Environment

  • Plug your USB Flash Drive in the infected computer
  • To enter the Recovery Environment with Windows Vista and Windows 7, follow the instructions below:
    • Restart the computer
    • Once you've seen your BIOS splashscreen (the computer manufacturer logo), tap the F8 key repeatedly until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears
    • Use the arrow keys to select Repair your computer, and press on Enter
    • Select your keyboard layout (US, French, etc.) and click on Next
    • Click on Command Prompt to open the command prompt
      Note:If you can't access the Recovery Environment using the F8 method above, you'll need to create a Windows installation or repair media. It can be made on the computer itself or another one running the same version of Windows as the one you plan to use it on. For more information, check out this tutorial on SevenForums.
  • To enter the Recovery Environment with Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, follow the instructions in this tutorial on EightForums
    Note:If you can't access the Recovery Environment using the method above, you'll need to create a Windows installation or repair media. It can be made on the computer itself or another one running the same version of Windows as the one you plan to use it on. For more information, check out this tutorial.
  • To enter the Recovery Environment with Windows 10, follow the instructions in this tutorial on TenForums
    Note:If you can't access the Recovery Environment using the method above, you'll need to create a Windows installation or repair media. It can be made on the computer itself or another one running the same version of Windows as the one you plan to use it on. For more information, check out this tutorial on TenForums.

Once in the command prompt

  • In the command prompt, type notepad and press on Enter
  • Notepad will open. Click on the File menu and select Open
  • Click on Computer/This PC, find the letter for your USB Flash Drive, then close the window and Notepad
  • In the command prompt, type e:\frst.exe (for the x64 version, type e:\frst64.exe and press on Enter
  • Note: Replace the letter e with the drive letter of your USB Flash Drive
  • FRST will open
  • Click on Yes to accept the disclaimer
  • Click on the Fix button and wait for the scan to complete
  • A log called fixlog.txt will be saved on your USB Flash Drive. Attach it in your next reply

fixlist.txt

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wkellogg57

wkellogg57

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The only semblence of Repair mode I can get to is by booting off an installation CD. But in a command prompt I cannot run either the 32 or 64 bit FRST file. I get the error: "The subsystem needed to support this image type is not present". I tried, as I have previously, to use the F8 key during boot but my system just will not pop up the boot menu. Using msconfig to boot in Safe Mode, with minimum drivers, etc. is the closest I can get. I have never had success using F8 w/Win10-64bit. Usually booting from CD gets me to a repair command prompt and I am good from there.

In Safe Mode, using command prompt, the FRST64 file runs but does not find the fixlist.txt file? It says "The fixlist.txt should be in the same folder/directory the tool is located". It's there, I can see it, and I can load the text file from the USB drive to Notepad?

Please advise.

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Aura

Aura

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Quote

But in a command prompt I cannot run either the 32 or 64 bit FRST file. I get the error: "The subsystem needed to support this image type is not present".

This is because you either downloaded FRST from the infected computer to move it on your USB, OR, you plugged in the USB with a FRST downloaded from a clean computer on the infected computer while Windows was still running. In both cases, SmartService (the infection) corrupted the file. Hence why you need to download FRST from a clean computer, and insert that USB in the infected computer only when that one is either shut down, or in the Windows RE.

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wkellogg57

wkellogg57

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I downloaded FRST on a different, uninfected computer then copied it to a brand new USB drive. I did not insert that drive into the infected computer until I rebooted using the Win10 CD and entered the repair console. I am still unable, on any computer, to boot to repair using F8, as I was with previous versions of Windows? I must be slowing down in my old age.

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wkellogg57

wkellogg57

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Yes. Got sidetracked fixing a friends machine. Still cannot get it to boot into repair mode using Shift Restart. I held shift key down through to the restart. Wondering if this is some kind of rootkit problem? Anything that will work on this if I stick it in another machine as a D: drive, or external drive? I'm about to give up and scratch the thing.

thanks for your help.

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wkellogg57

wkellogg57

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frst64.exe

MD5 = 4d317a9f588e1dc474987eee8605e10f

SHA-1 = ee85e232f61ceec679810877106e3492c9c32dc4

I'm going to try adding it as a 2nd drive in another, working system. I spent more time with it last night, building 2 new Win10 boot USB drives. FRST64.exe and FRST.exe will not run in the repair console. Frustrating to say the least. I drive is not that important to me, it is only the challenge to find and cure this issue that's driving me. At this point we are wasting too much time. Any hits when adding it as a second drive?

I do appreciate your help.

Thank you.

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