HELP! Somone had remote access to my machine. Loss of permission rights

[smolpeanut]

Dear Community, I am hoping someone who is experinced can help me find the root problem.

I have been hacked a week ago (mouse was moving by itself and cmd was opened and running some commands). Immediately after seeing this I just killed my machine (long press on-button) and I tried fixing the problem by myself during the past week. I followed some of the advice here: I scanned my machine with malwarebytes, and also did a full scan with Microsoft Safety Scanner (took 26h). The tools fixed what they could, and I turned off remote access (I have no idea how it was allowed in the first place).

I then upgraded windows using the media creation tool but without deleting my data and apps (I don't have an external backup drive atm but I ordered one today).

Even after all of this, though my account has admin privileges it still seems like there are some issues regarding access to some files and folders. I created another local account and I get the same issues.

My biggest issues are that I cannot install CMake (I get an error 2755) and Visual Studio 2019 cannot build my project. This is preventing me on working on my thesis project :( 

Also, PowerShell has some issues accessing the ConsoleHost_history.txt file which is super weird and I cannot solve the problem. I have tried all of the solutions I could find Online! Super frustrating... Here are some screenshots of the issues I am facing:

 

[smolpeanut]

I was also thinking on running Tron but not sure... 

(Thank you for reading my post)

[AdvancedSetup]

Hello  and      @smolpeanut

 

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

Please do not run TRON. If you do, then just go ahead and reinstall Windows

 

 

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

 

 

[smolpeanut]

Hello! Thank you for for helping me!!! :) Attached the zip:

mbst-grab-results.zip

[smolpeanut]

Oh no after disabling malwarebytes protection I just noticed that windows antivirus got reactivated... should I run this tool again with the antivirus deactivated? 

[smolpeanut]

I ran it again without antivirus:

mbst-grab-results.zip

[AdvancedSetup]

No, it's okay. Windows Defender and Malwarebytes rarely bother these tools.

Please run the following

 

Please download and run the following Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool 2020 and save it to your Desktop.

(Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool version 20.0.10.0 was released on November 9, 2021)

Download: Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool

https://devbuilds.s.kaspersky-labs.com/devbuilds/KVRT/latest/full/KVRT.exe

How to run a scan with Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool 2020
https://support.kaspersky.com/15674

How to run Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool 2020 in the advanced mode
https://support.kaspersky.com/15680

How to restore a file removed during Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool 2020 scan
https://support.kaspersky.com/15681

 

Select the     Windows Key and R Key together, the "Run" box should open. Drag and Drop KVRT.exe into the Run Box. C:\Users\{your user name}\DESKTOP\KVRT.exe will now show in the run box. add -dontencrypt   Note the space between KVRT.exe and -dontencrypt C:\Users\{your user name}\DESKTOP\KVRT.exe -dontencrypt should now show in the Run box.   That addendum to the run command is very important, when the scan does eventually complete the resultant report is normally encrypted, with the extra command it is saved as a readable file. Reports are saved here C:\KVRT2020_Data\Reports and look similar to this report_20210123_113021.klr Right-click direct onto that report, select > open with > Notepad. Save that file and attach it to your reply. To start the scan select OK in the "Run" box. A EULA window will open, tick all confirmation boxes then select "Accept" In the new window select "Change Parameters" In the new window ensure all selection boxes are ticked, then select "OK" The scan should now start... When complete if entries are found there will be options, if "Cure" is offered leave as is. For any other options change to "Delete" then select "Continue" When complete, or if nothing was found select "Close" Attach the report information as previously instructed...

 

 

 

 

NEXT

Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your desktop.

Note: You need to run the version compatible with your system.
You can check here if you're not sure if your computer is 32-bit or 64-bit

• Double-click to run it. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
• Press the Scan button.
• It will make a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please attach it to your reply.
• The first time the tool is run, it also makes another log (Addition.txt). Please attach it to your reply as well.

 

 

Thank you

 

 

 

 

[smolpeanut]

Hello! I ran KVRT and it found 5 files but I believe they were false positives so I just skipped instead of deleting them. The scan took 10h. For some reason FRST isn't able to create the .txt files. I keep getting an error where it says that it cannot find the FRST.txt and Addition.txt files and asks if I would like to create a new file. Then it opens an empty notepad?? Weird. 

KVRT.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

I would agree these are not an issue related to what you're speaking of.

 

Let's go ahead and run a couple of scans and get some updated logs from your system.

Please make the following changes.

 

• Temporarily disable your antivirus real-time protection or other security software first if it blocks or interferes with the scans or downloads.. Make sure to turn it back on once the scans are completed.
• Temporarily disable Microsoft SmartScreen to download software below only if needed. Make sure to turn it back on once the scans are completed.
• Disable-Fast-Startup
• Show-Hidden-Folders-Files-Extensions

 

Next, run these steps and post back the logs as an attachment when ready.

[ 1 ]

Malwarebytes for Windows

• If you already have Malwarebytes installed then open Malwarebytes and click on the small gear icon, then click on the "Check for updates" button on the General tab.
• After any updates, click the middle Scan button from the main page. It will automatically run a Threat Scan.
• If you don't have Malwarebytes installed yet please download it from here and install it.
• Once installed then open Malwarebytes and select Scan and let it run.
• Once the scan is completed, make sure you have it quarantine any detections it finds.
• If no detections were found click on the Save results drop-down, then the Export to TXT  button, and save the file as a Text file to your desktop or other location you can find and attach that log on your next reply.
• If there were detections then once the quarantine has completed click on the View report button, Then click the Export drop-down, then the Export to TXT  button, and save the file as a Text file to your desktop or other location you can find and attach that log on your next reply.
• If the computer restarted to quarantine you can access the logs from the Detection History, then the History tab. Highlight the most recent scan and double-click to open it. Then click the Export drop-down, then the Export to TXT  button, and save the file as a Text file to your desktop or other location you can find and attach that log on your next reply.
• If Malwarebytes won't run then please skip to the next step and let us know in your next reply that the scanner would not run.

[ 2 ]

Malwarebytes AdwCleaner

• Please download Malwarebytes AdwCleaner and save the file to your Desktop or Downloads folder.
• Double-click to run the program - Malwarebytes AdwCleaner guide
• Accept the End User License Agreement.
• Wait until the database is updated.
• Click Scan Now.
• When finished, if items are found please click Quarantine to finish the cleaning process.
• Your PC should reboot now if any items were found.
• After reboot, a log file will be opened. Attach that log to your next reply.
   
• If No Detections are found, Click Skip Basic Repair
  
  WARNING: Do Not click the Run Basic Repair button unless instructed to by a Malwarebytes support agent or authorized helper

 

RESTART THE COMPUTER Before running Step 3

[ 3 ]

Gather MBST Logs

Please do the following so that we may take a closer look at your system for any possible infections.

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
  
  WARNING: Do Not click the Repair System under Advanced unless requested to by a Malwarebytes support agent or authorized helper

 

Thank you

 

[smolpeanut]

Done :)

Thank you!

AdwCleaner[C00].txt mbst-grab-results.zip malwarebytesReport.txt AdwCleaner[S00].txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Is this a valid program for you?

C:\\Users\\Asus\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\LNV\\Stremio\\stremio-runtime.exe"

 

[smolpeanut]

Yes, it's a streaming service

[AdvancedSetup]

The install location just seems odd.

 

These are all old compromised versions of Java. Unless you have a strict need to keep an old version to support old software, Please uninstall all of them.

 

• Java 8 Update 333 (64-bit) (HKLM\...\{26A24AE4-039D-4CA4-87B4-2F64180333F0}) (Version: 8.0.3330.2 - Oracle Corporation)
• Java SE Development Kit 8 Update 161 (64-bit) (HKLM\...\{64A3A4F4-B792-11D6-A78A-00B0D0180161}) (Version: 8.0.1610.12 - Oracle Corporation)
• Java SE Development Kit 8 Update 181 (HKLM-x32\...\{32A3A4F4-B792-11D6-A78A-00B0D0180181}) (Version: 8.0.1810.13 - Oracle Corporation)
• Java SE Development Kit 8 Update 191 (64-bit) (HKLM\...\{64A3A4F4-B792-11D6-A78A-00B0D0180191}) (Version: 8.0.1910.12 - Oracle Corporation)
• Java(TM) SE Development Kit 11.0.2 (64-bit) (HKLM\...\{07E85AEA-1F8D-5F49-8CC8-319389751152}) (Version: 11.0.2.0 - Oracle Corporation)
• Java(TM) SE Development Kit 17 (64-bit) (HKLM\...\{7111A3FA-CDA7-58DA-874C-94AAB58DCF67}) (Version: 17.0.0.0 - Oracle Corporation)
• Java(TM) SE Development Kit 9.0.4 (64-bit) (HKLM\...\{1EF87463-0B0F-5B2A-B167-22B5CD371ACD}) (Version: 9.0.4.0 - Oracle Corporation)

 

Then restart the computer and run the following

 

 

Please run the following ESET Online Scanner and perform a Full Scan

 

Click the following link to save the installer for ESET Online Scanner

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 started. 
• When presented with the initial ESET screen, click on "Get Started". Read and accept the Terms of use
• On the "Before we start..." screen chose if you want to send anonymous data and if you want to provide feedback or not, then click Continue
• When prompted for scan type, Click on the Full Scan button
• Enable  ( select )   the radio selection "Enable ESET to detect and quarantine potentially unwanted applications"   and click the Start scan button.
• Have patience.  The entire process may take a few hours or more.
• When the scan is completed, if something was found, it will show a screen with the number of detected items.  If so, click the button marked “View detected results”.
• Click The blue “Save scan log” to save the log and give it a name and location you remember.
• If something was removed and you know it is a false postive, you may click on the blue ”Restore cleaned files”  ( in blue, at the bottom).
• Press Continue when all done.  You should click to turn off the offer for “periodic scanning”.
• Enable "Delete application data on closing" - You do not need to submit feedback unless you want to. Simply ignore and close the program.

 

Note: If you do need to do a File Restore from ESET please follow the directions below

[KB2915] Restore files quarantined by the ESET Online Scanner version 3

https://support.eset.com/en/kb2915-restore-files-quarantined-by-the-eset-online-scanner

 

Please attach the ESET scan log you saved at the end to your next reply

 

[smolpeanut]

Now that you mention it, it does seem odd... I will uninstall it for now, together with the old Java versions. It's pretty late where I am at, so I'll run the scan and send the logs in the morning.

Thank you again for helping!

[AdvancedSetup]

No problem. Will check back on you again tomorrow

Have a good night

 

[smolpeanut]

Hello! The scan took forever 🤪. I feel like there is nothing we can do. All of the permissions are messed up 😢. Some of my keyboard buttons aren't getting recognized too. Random errors happen when uninstalling stuff. (I was unable to uninstall the old java versions...) I give up. I'll just do a clean install of windows rn. Start fresh. 

Thank you for helping me, and have a nice day! 😄

eset.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Thank you for the logs @smolpeanut

These detections would not cause noticeable issues with the system. If you're having ongoing issues that cannot be resolved then perhaps a RESET or a CLEAN install of Windows may be in order.

 

Recovery options in Windows
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/recovery-options-in-windows-31ce2444-7de3-818c-d626-e3b5a3024da5

 

Clean Install Windows 10 & 11 (2023)
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/clean-install-windows-10-11-2023/1c426bdf-79b1-4d42-be93-17378d93e587

Also, please review the following topic

Bypass Microsoft Online Account Creation during installation of Windows 11
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/296613-bypass-microsoft-online-account-creation-during-installation-of-windows-11/

 

 

 

 

[Maurice Naggar]

Glad we could help.

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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