Malware disables windows firewall and attempts to run a phishing link

[flufftrey]

Hi there,

The problem is that when I boot up my PC, windows firewall is disabled and windows powershell is opened, and tries to run a phising link through powershell. Malwarebytes stops this, but it happens consistently.

I have tried doing a scan with malwarebytes premium, and a custom scan for rootkits, an exe file came up and I quarantined it but it still happens. I have tried using a restore point, but it gives me error recommending to turn off my anti-virus before trying again which I do not want to do because of the malware active on my computer.

This has been happening since today (5-12-21)

 

Addition.txt FRST.txt threatscanlog.txt phishingreport.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Hello @flufftrey

Please uninstall the following. Adobe has discontinued Flash

Adobe Flash Player 32 PPAPI

 

 

CHR Notifications: Default -> hxxps://voice.google.com; hxxps://www.netflix.com

 

Are you sure you want this enabled or allowed? Push Notifications on your browser appear to be enabled.

https://blog.malwarebytes.com/security-world/technology/2019/01/browser-push-notifications-feature-asking-abused/

Turn notifications on or off - Google Chrome

Web Push notifications in Firefox

 

 

 

Please download the attached fixlist.txt file and save it to the Desktop or location where you ran FRST from.
NOTE. It's important that both files, FRST or FRST64, and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work.

Please make sure you disable any real-time antivirus or security software before running this script. Once completed, make sure you re-enable it.

NOTICE: This script was written specifically for this user, for use on this particular machine. Running this on another machine may cause damage to your operating system that cannot be undone.

Run FRST or FRST64 and press the Fix button just once and wait.
If the tool needs a restart please make sure you let the system restart normally and let the tool complete its run after restart.
The tool will make a log on the Desktop (Fixlog.txt) or wherever you ran FRST from. Please attach or post it to your next reply.

Note: If the tool warned you about an outdated version please download and run the updated version.

NOTE-1:  This fix will run a scan to check that all Microsoft operating system files are valid and not corrupt and attempt to correct any invalid files. It will also run a disk check on the restart to ensure disk integrity. Depending on the speed of your computer this fix may take 30 minutes or more.

NOTE-2: As part of this fix all temporary files will be removed. If you have any open web pages that have not been bookmarked please make sure you bookmark them now as all open applications will be automatically closed. Also, make sure you know the passwords for all websites as cookies will also be removed. The use of an external password manager is highly recommended instead of using your browser to store passwords.

NOTE-3: As part of this fix it will also reset the network to default settings including the firewall. If you have custom firewall rules you need to save please export or save them first before running this fix.

The following directories are emptied:

• Windows Temp
• Users Temp folders
• Edge, IE, FF, Chrome, and Opera caches, HTML5 storages, Cookies and History
• Recently opened files cache
• Flash Player cache
• Java cache
• Steam HTML cache
• Explorer thumbnail and icon cache
• BITS transfer queue (qmgr*.dat files)
• Recycle Bin

Important: items are permanently deleted. They are not moved to quarantine. If you have any questions or concerns please ask before running this fix.

The system will be rebooted after the fix has run.

fixlist.txt

Thanks

 

[flufftrey]

Thank you. I ran the fix and uninstalled flash. Firewall turns off on start up, but powershell did not run. Powershell seemed to open and close immediately during the fix. On bootup the C drive went through a repairing process. Fixlog.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Thank you for the log, looks good overall.

Let me have you run the following now.

 

Please download the following tool

Farbar Service Scanner and run it on the computer with the issue
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/farbar-service-scanner/dl/62/

 

Make sure the following options are checked:

• Internet Services
• Windows Firewall
• System Restore
• Security Center/Action Center
• Windows Update
• Windows Defender

Click "Scan"

It will create a log (FSS.txt) in the same directory the tool is run.
Please attach the log to your next reply.

 

[flufftrey]

Thank you.FSS.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Please go ahead and run the following scan for me. This may take some time. If it takes too long I'll follow up with you again tomorrow.

 

Microsoft Safety Scanner

Please make sure you Exit out of any other program you might have open so that the sole task is to run the following scan.   
That goes especially for web browsers, make sure all are fully exited out of and messenger programs are exited and closed as well
 

STEP 1

Please set File Explorer to SHOW ALL folders, all files, including hidden ones.  Use OPTION ONE or TWO of this article

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/7078-turn-off-show-all-folders-windows-10-navigation-pane.html

STEP 2

I suggest a new scan for viruses & other malware. This may take several hours, depending on the number of files on the system and the speed of the computer.

The Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free Microsoft stand-alone virus scanner that can be used to scan for & remove malware or potentially unwanted software from a system. 

The download links & the how-to-run-the tool are at this link at Microsoft 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/intelligence/safety-scanner-download

 

Look on the Scan Options & select the FULL scan.

Then start the scan. Have lots of patience. It may take several hours.

• Once you see it has started, take a long long break;  walk away.  Do not pay credence if you see some intermediate early flash messages on the screen display.  The only things that count are the End result at the end of the run.
• The scan will take several hours.  Leave it alone. It will remove any other remaining threats as it goes along.  Take a very long break, do your normal personal errands .....just do not use the computer during this scan.

This is likely to run for many hours as previously mentioned  ( depending on the number of files on your machine & the speed of the hardware.)

The log is named MSERT.log  and the log will be at C:\Windows\debug\msert.log

Please attach that log with your next reply.

Thank you

 

[flufftrey]

Thank you. The problem still occurs. 

msert.log

[flufftrey]

I think I may be having this issue. 

 Malwarebytes was detecting the firewall as off, and when I clicked to check the firewall was set to on. I assumed that malwarebytes was automatically turning it back on when I clicked to open settings.

It is strange that this started happening the same day the powershell issue started happening. I might have just not noticed it until now because I opened malwarebytes upon noticing powershell opening and malwarebytes blocking a phishing attack when it first happened.

[AdvancedSetup]

Please run the following for me @flufftrey

 

 

Can you please do the following?

• Download the Malwarebytes Support Tool
• In your Downloads folder, open the mb-support-x.x.x.xxx.exe file
• In the User Account Control pop-up window, click Yes to continue the installation
• Run the MBST Support Tool
• In the left navigation pane of the Malwarebytes Support Tool, click Advanced
• In the Advanced Options, place a checkmark on all of the Repair System entries.
• Then click on the Repair System button and allow it to run and restart the system.
   

After the restart please do the following

• Run the MBST Support Tool again.
• In the left navigation pane of the Malwarebytes Support Tool, click Advanced
• In the Advanced Options, click the CLEAN button and follow the onscreen instructions to reinstall Malwarebytes
• NOTE: Please have patience as it can take a while to remove and reinstall. The computer will restart to complete
  
  
  

 

After the restart please do the following

• Run the MBST Support Tool one more time.
• In the left navigation pane of the Malwarebytes Support Tool, click Advanced
• In the Advanced Options, click Gather Logs. A status diagram displays the tool is Getting logs from your machine
• A zip file named mbst-grab-results.zip will be saved to the All Users' desktop, please upload that file on your next reply
  
  

Thank you

 

 

[flufftrey]

Thank you. The computer did not restart during or after the cleaning process, so I restarted it myself. The problem with the firewall and malwarebytes still occurs. mbst-grab-results.zip

[AdvancedSetup]

When you say the problem with Malwarebytes and the Firewall - do you mean the Security Advisor in Malwarebytes?

The logs show that the Firewall is running

 

[flufftrey]

Nevermind, I made a mistake. The firewall is on and malwarebytes detects it as so. I saw malwarebytes give me the not fully detected error and assumed it was from the firewall, but it was from not scanning in 30 days.

[AdvancedSetup]

Thank you for the update.

How is the computer working now? Is everything okay at this time now?

 

[flufftrey]

Everything seems fine. I think the problem has been solved. Powershell doesn't seem to open on startup and the firewall is correctly detected as being on. Is there anything else I should do at this time?

[AdvancedSetup]

SecurityCheck by glax24              

I would like you to run a tool named SecurityCheck to inquire about the current security update status of some applications.

• Download SecurityCheck by glax24: https://tools.safezone.cc/glax24/SecurityCheck/SecurityCheck.exe
• If Microsoft SmartScreen blocks the download, click through to save the file
• This tool is safe.   Smartscreen is overly sensitive.
• If SmartScreen blocks the file from running click on More info and Run anyway
• Right-click  with your mouse on the Securitycheck.exe  and select "Run as administrator"  and reply YES to allow to run & go forward
• Wait for the scan to finish. It will open a text file named SecurityCheck.txt Close the file.  Attach it with your next reply.
• You can find this file in a folder called SecurityCheck, C:\SecurityCheck\SecurityCheck.txt

 

 

Thank you

 

 

[flufftrey]

I receive this when I try to open the page. 

[flufftrey]

I got it to work. Here is the file.SecurityCheck.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Please uninstall, update, or otherwise address as appropriate for your system.

--------------------------- [ OtherUtilities ] ----------------------------
NVIDIA GeForce Experience 3.23.0.74 v.3.23.0.74 Warning! Download Update

FileZilla Client 3.52.2 v.3.52.2 Warning! Download Update

 

------------------------------ [ ArchAndFM ] ------------------------------
7-Zip 19.00 (x64) v.19.00 Warning! Download Update
Uninstall old version and install new one.

WinRAR 6.00 (32-bit) v.6.00.0 Warning! Download Update

------------------------------- [ Imaging ] -------------------------------
GIMP 2.10.22 v.2.10.22 Warning! Download Update

paint.net v.4.2.15 Warning! Download Update

-------------------------- [ IMAndCollaborate ] ---------------------------

Discord v.0.0.309 Warning! Download Update

--------------------------------- [ P2P ] ---------------------------------
qBittorrent 4.3.2 v.4.3.2 Warning! Download Update

 

-------------------------------- [ Media ] --------------------------------
VLC media player v.3.0.12 Warning! Download Update

----------------------------- [ EmailClient ] -----------------------------
Windows Live Essentials v.16.4.3528.0331 Warning! This software is no longer supported.

 

 

 

Also, please note you're on an old version of Windows 10 - it is highly recommended that you check for updates and install the latest updates for Windows 10

 

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

 

[flufftrey]

Ok, I updated or uninstalled everything you listed. Is there anything else you would recommend?

[AdvancedSetup]

Let's go ahead and do some clean-up work and remove the tools and logs we've run.

Please download KpRm by kernel-panik and save it to your desktop.

• right-click kprm_(version).exe and select Run as Administrator.
• Read and accept the disclaimer.
• When the tool opens, ensure all boxes under Actions are checked.
• Under Delete Quarantines select Delete Now, then click Run.
• Once complete, click OK.
• A log will open in Notepad titled kprm-(date).txt.
• Please attach that file to your next reply. (not compulsory)

 

1. Recommend using a Password Manager for all websites, etc. that require a password. Never use the same password on more than one site.
   https://www.howtogeek.com/240255/password-managers-compared-lastpass-vs-keepass-vs-dashlane-vs-1password/
2. Keep all software up to date - PatchMyPC - https://patchmypc.com/home-updater#download
3. Keep your Operating System up to date and current at all times - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-update-faq-8a903416-6f45-0718-f5c7-375e92dddeb2
4. Install a content blocker for your browser. Malwarebytes Browser Guard (Free)
   Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/addon/malwarebytes/  
   Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/malwarebytes-browser-guar/ihcjicgdanjaechkgeegckofjjedodee 
5. Further tips to help protect your computer data and improve your privacy: https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/258363-tips-to-help-protect-from-infection/ 

 

Further reading if you like to keep up on the malware threat scene: Malwarebytes Blog  https://blog.malwarebytes.com/

Hopefully, we've been able to assist you with correcting your system issues.

Thank you for using Malwarebytes

 

[flufftrey]

Ok, all done. Thank you very much. You've been a great help :) kprm-20211207162249.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Excellent. Glad to be of help.

I'll go ahead and close your topic now and wish you well.

Take care and stay safe out there

 

[AdvancedSetup]

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 topic 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.

Please review the following to help you better protect your computer and privacy Tips to help protect from infection

Thank you