Trojan.BitCoinMiner keeps reappearing after quarantine & deletion

[Levi1218]

Hello. Two days ago I downloaded an installer from the official minecraft forge website, but it appears that all of their download links have been corrupted and their zips filled with malware.
After scanning my pc with Malwarebytes I discovered a few files and registry keys named "Trojan.BitCoinMiner". Not only they aren't getting removed by the antivirus, but they're also slowing down my pc significantly.
I've tried scanning with Malwarebytes, Norton, Adwcleaner and Hitmanpro, but none of them managed to remove the threat.
 

I should point out that the infected zip I downloaded contained a weird .png file and a .exe file which tried to edit the "hosts" file in C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\.
I also discovered that this very .png file was moved into the C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Update folder, and the "updater.exe" in that same chrome folder tried to edit the hosts file.

Even though I deleted those files, put in quarantine and removed the ones flagged by Malwarebytes, and reinstalled Chrome multiple times, the problem still persists.
What should I do?

[Maurice Naggar]

Hello  @akko My name is Maurice. I will guide you. Let me know what nickname you prefer to go by. IF you have a full Backup of the system ( on external storage) from before that bad download, you should consider restoring your system from that Backup. Backups are your best friend. Let me know if you decide on that option.

Lets keep these principles as we go along.

• Removing pesky malware can be an involved set of tasks over separate runs. Have much patience. Follow my directions. 
• 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.

I would like a report set for review. This is a report only.

Please download MALWAREBYTES MBST Support Tool

Do a RIGHT click on mb-support-1.9.2.982.exe & select "Run as Administrator" & reply YES & allow it to proceed forward.

Next click Advanced >>> then Gather Logs

Have patience till the run has finished.
Attach the mbst-grab-results.zip from the Desktop to your reply. This is a first step so that I can "see" what all is involved on this case.

[Levi1218]

Hello, thanks for helping me out. Here is the report.
Sadly, I don't have any backups of the system before the download :(

mbst-grab-results.zip

[Maurice Naggar]

Let us begin with these first, next steps .Please set File Explorer to SHOW ALL folders, all files, including Hidden ones. Use OPTION ONE or TWO of this article
Please use this Guide

Now a special run with Adwcleaner. Find where you had saved it. Go slow and careful. Follow this set of steps.

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.

[Levi1218]

I've done everything you said, but the scan only took seven seconds and didn't find anything, and so the option to quarantine didn't appear at all.

AdwCleaner[S03].txt

[Maurice Naggar]

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

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 rebuild the Hosts file. It attempts to run a Quick scan with Microsoft Defender antivirus. It will attempt to clear Cache files of web browsers. It will attempt to clear temporary file areas. Depending on the speed of your computer this fix may take 50-55 minutes or more.

Please Close all open work before you actually do begin this run.

Farbar  FRSTENGLISH program location:   Downloads folder. The tool is already on system. That is what we will use.

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

 Fixlist.txt<- < - - - -

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

Right-click with your mouse on  FRSTENGLISH and select "Run as Administrator" and reply Yes and allow it to proceed when prompted. That is important.

next, press the Fix button just once and wait.

You will see a green-color scroll display while FRST is running.
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.

NOTICE: For potential outside readers,  This script was written specifically for this user, for use on this particular machine. Running this on another machine may cause harm.

You have said that you have scanned with Norton + Hitmanpro + I believe you also ran RKILL on your own.
Norton Lifelock security is installed on this Windows system. So it is like the main security app on it.
After you complete this run, Launch Malwarebytes and do a new scan. Let me know that result.

[Levi1218]

I ran the script and apparently nothing was found. Also, yes, I did run RKILL before writing this post.
The malwarebytes scan found nothing this time, it would seem the malware is gone. Thank you very much for your time.

Fixlog.txt

[Levi1218]

Nevermind, some of the files have apparently been put into quarantine inside of a FRST folder, and they are getting flagged when I scan now.

[Maurice Naggar]

I have reviewed the custom-run-report from the Fix script I sent you earlier.
The run was very good. It did lots of cleanups. Your machine is in a much better state.
Part of that run, also, cleaned up 2 folder exclusions that were set as not to be protected by antivirus, in Microsoft Defender.
That was also fixed.

At this point, make time to do this next scan to check the system.
 

The Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free Microsoft stand-alone virus scanner that can be used to scan for & remove malware or potentially unwanted items from a system. This tool does not install. It is run on-demand.

This link is for the 64-bit version of MSERT.exe . Be sure you save the file first
https://definitionupdates.microsoft.com/download/DefinitionUpdates/safetyscanner/amd64/MSERT.exe

Upon completion of the save, 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

Launch MSERT.exe
Accept the agreement terms of Microsoft
Select CUSTOM scan
Look on Scan Options & select CUSTOM scan & then select the C drive to be scanned.

Then start the scan. Have lots of patience. Once you start the scan & you see it started, then leave it be.

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 screen display. The only things that count are the End result at the end of the run.
Again, any on-screen display about repeat 'infection' is not to be relied on. Ignore those.
We only rely on the end result that is on the log-report-file.

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

The log is named MSERT.log

the log will be at

Windows\debug\msert.log
Please attach that log with your reply

It is normal for the Microsoft Safety Scanner to show 'detections' during the scan process on the screen itself.

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.

[Maurice Naggar]

N.B. Ignore any flagging on the folder FRST\Quarantine.  That quarantine folder is like jail for bad stuff that was cleaned up.

[Maurice Naggar]

Hello. Good afternoon. Kindly provide a status update about the PC.

[Maurice Naggar]

Due to the lack of feedback, this topic is closed to prevent others from posting here.

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 topic. Other members who need assistance please start your own topic in a new thread.

Tips to help protect from infection

Thanks