counter.wmail-service.com riskware on Powershell

[KneesDev]

Hello there,

I just installed Malwarebytes on my PC to check for threats and the moment I installed it, I kept getting an alert from Malwarebytes saying that a website was blocked due to riskware.

This is what the alert looks like:

Here's some information that might be needed:

-Log Details-
Protection Event Date: 6/1/23
Protection Event Time: 3:50 PM
Log File: e8535cc0-007a-11ee-b6cd-00237dc214ad.json

-Software Information-
Version: 4.5.29.268
Components Version: 1.0.2022
Update Package Version: 1.0.70291
License: Trial

-System Information-
OS: Windows 11 (Build 22621.1485)
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: System

-Blocked Website Details-
Malicious Website: 1
, C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe, Blocked, -1, -1, 0.0.0, , 

-Website Data-
Category: RiskWare
Domain: counter.wmail-service.com
IP Address: 154.53.51.77
Port: 80
Type: Outbound
File: C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe

I hope that the issue can be solved, otherwise I'll uninstall Malwarebytes to prevent any further alerts from showing but the threat will remain on the system.

Thank you.

[1PW]

Hello @KneesDev and :

While you are waiting for the next qualified/approved malware removal expert helper to weigh in on your topic, and even though you may have run the following Malwarebytes utility, or its subsets, please carefully follow these instructions:

1. Download the Malwarebytes Support Tool.
2. In your Downloads folder, open the mb-support-x.x.x.xxx.exe file.
3. In the User Account Control (UAC) pop-up window, click Yes to continue the installation.
4. Run the MBST Support Tool.
5. In the left navigation pane of the Malwarebytes Support Tool, click Advanced.
6. In the Advanced Options, click only Gather Logs. A status diagram displays the tool is Getting logs from your computer.
7. A zip file named mbst-grab-results.zip will be saved to the Public desktop, please attach that file in your next reply to this topic. Please do NOT copy and paste.

For the short time between when you post the diagnostic logs, and when your helper weighs in, please take no further self-directed remedial actions that will invalidate the diagnostic logs you will have posted.

Thank you.

[KneesDev]

Alright, thank you!mbst-grab-results.zip

I have attached the archive generated by the Support Tool below.

[KneesDev]

turns out it was above because I dragged-and-dropped it, and not below.

[Maurice Naggar]

Hello  

I will guide you along on looking for remaining malware. Lets keep these principles as we go along.

• Please have much patience. We will likely do many rounds, do several runs.
• Please don't run any other scans, download, install or uninstall any programs while I'm working with you.
• Only run the tools I guide you to.
• Do not run online games while case is on-going. Do not do any free-wheeling web-surfing.
• The removal of malware isn't instantaneous, please be patient.
• Cracked or or hacked or pirated programs are not only illegal, but also will make a computer a malware victim. Having such programs installed, is the easiest way to get infected. It is the leading cause of ransomware encryptions. It is at times also big source of current trojan infections. Please uninstall them now, if any are here, before we start the cleaning procedure.
• Please stick with me until I give you the "all clear".
• If your system is running Discord, please be sure to Exit out of it while this case is on-going.

Take these actions so that Windows 11 is set to show all hidden files and folders.
Open File Explorer from the taskbar.

Select View > Show > Hidden items.

Select View → Show → File name extensions

If possibly you have a browser issue, can you try using a different web browser?
But in any event, always SAVE the downloads I guide you to. Then after download is complete, you go to the file using File Explorer.
and only then, launch it from there.

Let's do one special run  with Malwarebytes Adwcleaner. 

 

It will not take much time, Read over all lines before starting so that you have a good understanding of the whole method. Take your time and go careful. I ant to make sure you select all of what I list below - before- pressing the "scan" button.

 

First download & save it

guide & download link

 

Then go to where the EXE file is saved. Start Adwcleaner.  Do not rush. There are a few first choices to set as I have listed below.

 

Reply YES at the Windows prompt to allow the program to proceed and make changes. That is the usual Windows security prompt.

 

When AdwCleaner starts, on the left side of the window, click on “Settings” and then enable these repair actions on that tab-window

by clicking their button to the far-right for ON status

Delete IFEO keys
Delete tracing keys
Delete Prefetch files
Reset Proxy
Reset IE Policies
Reset Chrome policies
Reset Winsock
Reset HOSTS file

 

 

 

ONLY after you have set the selections above ....only after that .....

Now On the left side of the AdwCleaner window, click on “Dashboard” and then click “Scan” to perform a computer scan.

 

 

This can take several minutes.

When the AdwCleaner scan is completed it will display all of the items it has found. Click on the “Quarantine” button To remove what it found.

 

AdwCleaner will now prompt you to save any open files or data as the program will need to close any open programs before it starts to clean.

Click on the “Continue” button to finish the removal process.

 

 

Guide article

 

Attach the clean log from Adwcleaner when all completed. For example AdwCleaner[C00],txt

There is much more to do even after this.

[KneesDev]

It did not find any threats. I have attached the log file.

AdwCleaner[S01].txt

[KneesDev]

I had done a ton of scans with both Microsoft's tool for malware scanning and Malwarebytes and it isn't even recognized as a threat, so maybe it's not harmful to the system?

[Maurice Naggar]

Please wait until after I have had a bit of time to 'pore' over all your reports. I can assure you this machine does have serious issues. Wait till I send you the next process, which will be a custom-script run. Do not do anything else on your own. And no web surfing. No social media. No shopping. No banking.

[KneesDev]

Got it. Could you please give me a list of those serious issues? I'm not going to do any actions on the device, but I need to know what happened.

[Maurice Naggar]

In situiations of block notices like ones you report, there is typically a well hidden trojan. We will be checking and scanning for malware, with specific eye for trojan(s). There is also a restriction of some sort on Microsoft Windows Update.
Be sure to stick with me until after I give the all clear. Be aware we will be doing ( later ) some very specific scans.

Next action step:

Start Malwarebytes. Click Settings ( gear ) icon. Next, lets make real sure that Malwarebytes does NOT register with Windows Security Center

Click the Security Tab. Scroll down to

"Windows Security Center"

Click the selection to the left  for the line "Always register Malwarebytes in the Windows Security Center".
{ We want that to be set as Off   .... be sure that line's  radio-button selection is all the way to the Left.  thanks. }

This will not affect any real-time protection of the Malwarebytes for Windows    😃.

Close Malwarebytes.

>

Please run the following custom script. Read all of this before you start. Please Close all open work.

The tool FRSTENGLISH.exe is already on this machine

Please download the attached fixlist.txt file and save it to Downloads folder

Fixlist.txt<-- - - - -

 

NOTE. It's important that both files, FRSTENGLISH, and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work.

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.

Use File Explorer to go to the Downloads folder

RIGHT-Click on   FRSTENGLISH and select

RUN as Administrator

and reply YES to allow it to go forward to start.

That is important so that this run has Elevated Administrator rights !!

NEXT 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 Downloads folder (Fixlog.txt) . 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 reset the Winsock & the Hosts file. It will also run scans with MS Defender antivirus. Depending on the speed of your computer this fix may take 50-55 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. 

The following directories are emptied:

• Windows Temp
• Users Temp folders
• Edge, IE, FF, Chrome, and Opera + Brave caches, HTML5 storages, Cookies and History
• Recently opened files cache
• Discord cache
• Java cache
• Steam HTML cache
• Explorer thumbnail and icon cache
• 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. Attach FIXLOG.txt with next reply. We will do much more, later.

[KneesDev]

I'll try that, but I killed PowerShell from the task manager and that alert stopped appearing.

[Maurice Naggar]

Please do all steps listed, and the script run. Go forward.

[KneesDev]

Just a confirmation that the tool is fixing

[Maurice Naggar]

Scanning, checking and fixing. Please be sure it runs and completes. Go forward.

[KneesDev]

The fix has been completed, and the computer rebooted after I clicked OK on the dialog that appeared.
I have attached the Fixlog.txt from the tool below.

Fixlog.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

Thank you. As a next step, I suggest the following:

This is for a scan with ESET Onlinescanner (free). ESET is a well-respected, well-known entity and tool.

This here you can start & once it is under way, you can leave the machine alone & let it run over-night. No need to keep watch once it starts the actual scan run.

Next, This will be a check with ESET Onlinescanner for viruses, other malware, adwares, & potentially unwanted applications.

Go to https://download.eset.com/com/eset/tools/online_scanner/latest/esetonlinescanner.exe

It will start a download of "esetonlinescanner.exe"

• Save the file to your system, such as the Downloads folder, or else to the Desktop.
• Go to the saved file, and double click it to get it started.

 

• When presented with the initial ESET options, click on "Computer Scan".
• Next, when prompted by Windows, allow it to start by clicking Yes
• When prompted for scan type, Click on CUSTOM scan  and select C drive to be scanned
• Look at & tick ( select ) the radio selection "Enable ESET to detect and quarantine potentially unwanted applications"
• and click on Start scan button.

Have patience. The entire process may take an hour or more. There is an initial update download.
There is a progress window display. You may step away from machine &. Let it be. That is, once it is under way, you should leave it running. It will run for several hours.

• At screen "Detections occurred and resolved" click on blue button "View detected results"
• On next screen, at lower left, click on blue "Save scan log"
• View where file is to be saved. Provide a meaningful name for the "File name:"
• On last screen, set to Off (left) the option for Periodic scanning
• Click "save and continue"
• Please attach the report file so I can review

NEXT: I would highly suggest to insure that this pc is all up-to-date with security updates & cumulative updates on Windows. select the Windows Start  button, and then go to Settings  > Update & Security  > Windows Update . and click Check for Updates.
Have much patience.

[KneesDev]

The scan is in progress, thank you. The issue appears to be fixed though, so why are you telling me to install more malware scanners?

[Maurice Naggar]

I ( as well as colleagues) typically have folks run a couple or so known trusted scanners. To insure we have more than 1 check. It is all to the good.

[KneesDev]

Alright. So far it has 1 detected object, could be false positive since other scanners couldn't find anything else. I really appreciate your effort, so thank you very much.

[KneesDev]

Here's the log file you requested from ESET.

log.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

The last scan by ESET OnlineScanner found & removed 4 threats.
It also makes obvious a sub-folder that is one created by a trojan C:\Windows\System32\NtJQEYv3T
We need to remove that sub-folder & also I would like to run a special scan with MS Defender antivirus.

Please run the following custom script. Read all of this before you start. Please Close all open work.

The tool FRSTENGLISH.exe is already on this machine

Please download the attached fixlist.txt file and save it to Downloads folder

Fixlist.txt<-- - - - -

 

NOTE. It's important that both files, FRSTENGLISH, and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work.

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.

Use File Explorer to go to the Downloads folder

RIGHT-Click on   FRSTENGLISH and select

RUN as Administrator

and reply YES to allow it to go forward to start.

That is important so that this run has Elevated Administrator rights !!

NEXT 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 Downloads folder (Fixlog.txt) . 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.

The system will be rebooted after the fix has run. Attach FIXLOG.txt with next reply.

[KneesDev]

Here is the log you requested.

Fixlog.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

Thank you. The custom-run has accomplished the goal. Next, 1 other scan and a favor.
One other scan here.

TrendMicro HouseCall scan
from this Link

First, Download & Save to your Downloads folder the appropriate HouseCallLauncher
Once the download is complete, go to where the Housecalllauncher is saved & double-click it to start it.

The program will check with TrendMicro & do a update run.

Next it will show the Disclosure window.

Click Next to proceed.

The end user license agreement is presented.   Click the Accept radio button & click Next to proceed.

I suggest a CUSTOM scan on C drive.

IF you wish a Full scan or a Custom scan, first click on the Settings

then you can select which drives you want to include in the scan.

The default is a Quick scan.

Click Scan now when ready.

The scan progress will then be displayed.   Monitor the progress or just leave it alone until it finishes this phase.

When the scan phase has completed, if any items are tagged, you will see a list, showing  the file & its location, the classification of the threat, the type, risk, and Action option.

If you see an item that you know is safe, you can click the Action  , and select Ignore.

When all done & ready, click the Fix now button.

A request please 

I would like to get a copy of what we placed in Quarantine, from the runs I had you do. Please. 

• Using Windows File Explorer, Navigate to C:\FRST folder on your system. Expand the folder so you see all contents.
• Right click on Quarantine > Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder
• Upload the archive in your next reply
• If archive is too big you can upload here > https://wetransfer.com/

Also, Let me know how the situation is at this point as to any new "block" notices, or some other active security issue.
Also, please do one new Scan with Malwarebytes.

Thank you!

Edited June 2, 2023 by Maurice Naggar

[KneesDev]

The scan is in progress. The archive you requested for has been uploaded to WeTransfer, and here's the link:
https://we.tl/t-9X9zCWymPB

[Maurice Naggar]

Thank you. Looking forward to the result from TrendMicro Housecall.