Win32/Casdet!rfn has infected my powershell.exe

[CBSlixx]

Hello, I recently clicked on a Social Security email link, which turned out to be a .js file and then my powershell.exe was infected. Tried everything I could to remove it but no luck. I did a system restore to a prior date, no luck. I tried an SFC /scan now and it found errors but at reboot to repair it got caught in a loop because it couldn't repair so after a couple of attempts I chose system restore again and here we are. 

Appreciate any help you can provide. Files requested are included.

Thank you.

Addition.txt FRST.txt 9 MAY scan.txt

[CBSlixx]

Maybe this matters. I was getting 2 errors from Windows Defender a few times a day. I would try and remove/quarantine but they would just disappear when I clicked 'perform actions.' Now I only get the included error when I boot up, but it also just disappears as soon as I attempt to address it. What's funny is none of the previous warnings even appear in the protection history. 

[AdvancedSetup]

Hello  and       @CBSlixx

 

My screen name is AdvancedSetup and I will assist you with your system issues.
 

Let's keep these principles as we proceed. Make sure to read the entire post below first.

• Please follow all steps in the provided order and post back all requested logs
• Please attach all log files to your post, unless otherwise requested
• Temporarily disable your antivirus or other security software first. Make sure to turn it back on once the scans have been completed.
• Temporarily disable Microsoft SmartScreen to download the software below if needed. Make sure to turn it back on once the scans are completed.
• Searching, detecting, and removing malware isn't instantaneous and there is no guarantee to repair every system.
• Before we start, please make sure that you have an external backup, not connected to this system, of all private data.
• Do not run online games while the case is ongoing. Do not do any free-wheeling or risky web-surfing.
• Only run the tools I guide you to use. Please don't run any other scans, download, install or uninstall any programs while I'm working with you.
• Cracked, Hacked, or Pirated programs are not only illegal but also can make a computer a malware victim. Having such programs installed is the easiest way to get infected. It is the leading cause of ransomware encryption. It is at times also a big source of current Trojan infections. If there are any on the system you should uninstall them before we proceed.
• Please be patient and stick with me until I give you the "all clear". We don't want to waste your time, please don't waste ours.
• If your system is running Discord, please be sure to Exit it while this case is ongoing.

 

To begin, please do the following so that we may take a closer look at your installation for troubleshooting. This is a report only.

NOTE: The tools and the information obtained are safe and not harmful to your privacy or your computer, please allow the programs to run if blocked by your system.

• 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, 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 Public desktop, please upload that file on your next reply

Thank you

 

 

[CBSlixx]

Thank you for the prompt reply. The requested file is attached. 

mbst-grab-results.zip

[AdvancedSetup]

Please run the following fix

 

NOTE: Please read all of the information below before running this fix.

• 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.

Once the fix has been completed, please attach the file FIXLOG.TXT to your next reply

Farbar program:   FRSTEnglish.exe

Save the attached file:  FIXLIST.TXT to this folder C:\Users\slixx\Downloads\

NOTE. It's important that both files, FRSTEnglish.exe, 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.

 

 

Run the Farbar program with Admin rights and press the Fix button just once and wait.

The fix may possibly take up to 60 minutes to complete

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 named Fixlog.txt in the same folder you ran the Farbar program from. Please attach that log on your next reply.

 

1. NOTE:  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.
2. NOTE: 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 may be automatically closed. Also, make sure you know the passwords for all websites as cookies will also be removed in most, but not all cases.
3. NOTE: 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
• Discord 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

 

[CBSlixx]

OK ,we have a problem. I ran the program and it finished. It asked to restart, I clicked okay

It rebooted and seemed to be fixing files and my drive(C:) then rebooted and checked the previous repair(s) and it said 100% so it rebooted again

Then it went into the diagnosing my PC mode, attempted repairs, failed and started over again. Basically the same loop I mentioned in my original post. I left it at that and am on a back-up PC. I didn't want to do the system restore without checking first, so it's on the Automated Repair screen with the restart and advanced options choices.  I will leave it there until advised.

[AdvancedSetup]

Please use the following method to grab a new FRST.TXT log

 

[CBSlixx]

The site is flagging my explanation/results as spam. 🤷‍♂️

 

 

[AdvancedSetup]

I have removed the block @CBSlixx

Please post again now

 

[CBSlixx]

Thank you.

I attempted the solution presented above, everything went fine until I got to booting the USB drive. I could NOT get the flash drive to boot. My BIOS just didn't have that option. Options were USB-FDD, USB-ZIP, USB-CDROM and USB-HDD.
This PC is a AMD Phenom(tm) II X6 1045T Processor that is about 12 - 13 yrs old. So I went back to the options in the recovery and had it reset while retaining my personal files, and it worked this time. I am using it now as I re-install what was lost.

Will this reset have eliminated the problem I had or do I still need to pursue that? Any advice would be appreciated. 
Thank you for the help.

 

[AdvancedSetup]

Very sorry to hear you had to go to that level. @CBSlixx

It is unlikely to have remained an issue. There are infections that can attack the partitions of a drive but I've not see any of those for a few years as they're not money makers like some of the newer methods of attacking computers.

Once done, you can reinstall Malwarebytes and scan with it and post back logs as well as post back new Farbar logs and we can review again, but my guess is if you did a Windows reset or reinstall the issue should be resolved.

 

[CBSlixx]

Thank you for the reply and advice. I will keep an eye on it and if any issue arises I will return. I am very impressed with the site and the prompt help I received. I am retired and was pretty worried. 

 

[AdvancedSetup]

Good day @CBSlixx

Following up to see if there is anything I can do to assist you before we close up this topic.

When you have a moment, please post a status update

Thank you

 

[CBSlixx]

Good morning

I finished re-installing what I needed last night, with multiple reboots and no issues so far. I am including new scans of the same 3 files I posted originally. The FRST generated a report when started, so I included that for you as well. Not sure if it's helpful at this point. Hopefully they don't show any problems. 

Thank you for the follow-up.

Addition.txt FRST.txt 10 MAY MB scan.txt Fixlog.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

You really should enable System Restore

ATTENTION: System Restore is disabled (Total:111.24 GB) (Free:59.38 GB) (53%)

Please see the following on how to enable System Restore and make sure you make a NEW System Restore Point

 

How to Enable or Disable System Restore in Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/99782-enable-disable-system-restore-windows.html

 

 

 

Your current DNS Servers:  192.168.1.1

Please consider changing your default DNS server settings. Please choose one provider only

DNS is what lets users connect to websites using domain names instead of IP addresses

Pick just one of these 4 providers. And be aware that you need to modify 1 time for IPv4 & a 2nd pass for IPv6

• Google Public DNS: IPv4   8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4   IPv6   2001:4860:4860::8888 and 2001:4860:4860::8844
• Cloudflare: IPv4   1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1   IPv6   2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001
• OpenDNS: IPv4   208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220  IPv6  2620:119:35::35 and 2620:119:53::53
• DNSWATCH: IPv4   84.200.69.80 and 84.200.70.40   IPv6  2001:1608:10:25::1c04:b12f and 2001:1608:10:25::9249:d69b

The Ultimate Guide to Changing Your DNS Server
https://www.howtogeek.com/167533/the-ultimate-guide-to-changing-your-dns-server/

Here is a YouTube video on Changing DNS settings if needed

 

 

Then run the following scanner from Microsoft to ensure it finds no issues

 

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.

 

It is normal for the Microsoft Safety Scanner to show detections during the scan process.

It is scanning for basically all bread crumbs or traces of files and registry entries that "might" be or have been part of some infection or previous infection.

That DOES NOT mean the computer is infected. Once the scan has been completed it uploads the log to their Cloud service which then uses Artificial Intelligence to determine if in fact any of the traces are an infection or not.

Then it writes into the log on your computer what it found.

 

Thank you

 

[CBSlixx]

Update: I enabled System Restore. I will create a new restore point now.

I changed the DNS and Windows just finished updating. I will run the Microsoft Safety Scanner when I go to bed and post the results tomorrow. 

Thank you again for all your time and effort.  

[AdvancedSetup]

Great, have a good night and I'll check back on you sometime tomorrow

Cheers

 

[CBSlixx]

Sorry to bother you but I have a question. I see the Windows.old backup copy on my C: drive. Can I safely remove that if I have a current system restore using the new reset and update?

This drive is very small and I'd like that space back if it wont do any harm. 

Thanks.

[AdvancedSetup]

Yes, you can remove it, but you might want to wait at least a few days until you're sure all is good.

Then use the DISK CLEANUP app to have it remove the folder properly

 

[CBSlixx]

Good morning.

Microsoft Safety Scanner results attached.

msert.log

[AdvancedSetup]

The Tamper Restore was a good thing. Microsoft simply reset a protection setting back.

 

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

 

 

[CBSlixx]

The program downloaded and ran fine. The results are posted. 

Thank you.

SecurityCheck.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Please update the following programs

 

7-Zip 19.00 (x64) v.19.00 Warning! Download Update | Uninstall old version and install new one.
IrfanView 4.56 (64-bit) v.4.56 Warning! Download Update

 

Then restart the computer and check for Windows Updates and install any found.

 

Then let me know how the computer is running now and if there are still any signs of infection or other issues.

 

Thanks

 

[CBSlixx]

 OK, updated both programs, thanks.

Performed 1 Windows update, shown in the enclosed file. PC appears to be running 5 x 5 with no pop-up warnings.

This was probably a good thing in the long run as this drive only has 111GB usable space and it only had 18GB free when this happened. The junk builds up over time.

I can't thank you enough. We are a long ways from Win 3.1 where I started. 🙂

[AdvancedSetup]

 

18 minutes ago, CBSlixx said:

We are a long ways from Win 3.1 where I started. 🙂

Yes we are. I've been using the PC since a little bit before Windows 1 came out. What a difference eh!

 

 

Once the Windows Updates have completed, please see the following

Delete your previous version of Windows
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/delete-your-previous-version-of-windows-f8b26680-e083-c710-b757-7567d69dbb74

Free up drive space in Windows
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/free-up-drive-space-in-windows-85529ccb-c365-490d-b548-831022bc9b32

 

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. Make sure you're backing up your files https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/136226-backup-software/
3. Keep all software up to date - PatchMyPC - https://patchmypc.com/home-updater#download
4. 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
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/ 
6. Please consider installing the following Content Blockers for your Web browsers if you haven't done so already. This will help improve overall security

Malwarebytes Browser Guard

•   Google Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/malwarebytes-browser-guar/ihcjicgdanjaechkgeegckofjjedodee
•   Microsoft Edge: https://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us/articles/4413298736787-Install-Malwarebytes-Browser-Guard-on-Microsoft-Edge-browser
•   Mozilla Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/malwarebytes/

uBlock Origin

• Google Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ublock-origin/cjpalhdlnbpafiamejdnhcphjbkeiagm 
• Microsoft Edge: https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/addons/detail/ublock-origin/odfafepnkmbhccpbejgmiehpchacaeak 
• Mozilla Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ublock-origin

 

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