Malware keeps re-appearing after quarantining.

[FastYule]

This malware is reinstalling itself after I quarantine and delete it. I have tried manually deleting the files by following the path in both System32/Tasks as well as HKLM in the Registry Editor. Every time the files are deleted either manually or using Malwarebytes, the files and registry keys reappear within a minute. I have no idea how to get rid of this malware so any help would be greatly appreciated. I will try to attach some screenshots of what the files look like.

[AdvancedSetup]

Hello  and      @FastYule

 

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.

• Removing pesky malware can be an involved set of tasks over separate runs. Have much patience. Follow my directions. 
• 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 Microsoft SmartScreen to download 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 of all private data.
• Do not run online games while your case is ongoing. Do not do any free-wheeling of 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 unless requested.
• 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.  
• If your system is running Discord, or P2P Torrent software, please be sure to Exit out of it while this case is on-going.

Do these two steps so that ALL Folders & Files are set to SHOW, plus also, Turn OFF Windows Fast start.

Show-Hidden-Folders-Files-Extensions
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/299345-show-hidden-folders-files-extensions/

Disable-Fast-Startup
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/299350-disable-fast-startup/
 

• Next, please restart Windows

• Please be patient and stick with me until I give you the "all clear" or otherwise indicate all is good

 

 

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.
• DO NOT uninstall or remove the Preinstalled software if found. Uncheck any items listed as Preinstalled
• 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

 

[FastYule]

@AdvancedSetup Here are the files from the scans.

AdwCleaner[C00].txt MalwareLog.txt mbst-grab-results.zip

[AdvancedSetup]

Are you using Kryptex on purpose?

 

[FastYule]

No, I had no idea that it was installed on my PC nor that it was a crypto miner. If I delete that program will my problem be solved?

[AdvancedSetup]

Please do the following steps

 

[ 1 ]

Please go to Control Panel, Programs, Programs and Features, Uninstall a program

Then right-click and uninstall the following

• Bonjour (in most cases this is not needed for Windows computers and can cause networking issues)
   

 

[ 2 ]

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

Edge Notifications: Default -> hxxps://captchacheckout.top; hxxps://checkrobotics.com; hxxps://colab.research.google.com; hxxps://en.softonic.com; hxxps://www.youtube.com

CHR Notifications: Default -> hxxps://bomero.net; hxxps://captchafilter.top; hxxps://en.softonic.com; hxxps://funtoday.info; hxxps://hisgames.org; hxxps://mp3juices.cc; hxxps://sub.alfaiztech.com; hxxps://vbsk5.haenkyouv.space; hxxps://www.dojrp.com; hxxps://www.gamivo.com; hxxps://www.youtube.com; hxxps://yourwowfeed.com

VIV Notifications: Default -> hxxps://gamesapkworld.com; hxxps://notificationnewsspace.com; hxxps://www.tiktok.com; hxxps://www.xteen.name; hxxps://www.youtube.com

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

 

[ 3 ]

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\noah_\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 may possibly be removed in some cases, 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

 

[FastYule]

I have deleted Bonjour and here is the fixlog. Thanks for the help so far.

Fixlog.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Thank you for the log @FastYule

There were a few issues found. We'll worry about these once we make sure all of the infection has been removed.

 

[ 1 ]

DISM returned the following.  Error: 0x800f081f

The source files could not be found.
Use the "Source" option to specify the location of the files that are required to restore the feature. For more information on specifying a source location, see https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=243077.

That caused SFC to also fail
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.

 

[ 2 ]
Then the following error was also returned

Unable to connect to BITS - 0x80070424
The specified service does not exist as an installed service.

 

[ 1 ]

Please check on this

Windows Defender built in antivirus has the following excluded from scanning. We attempted to remove these exclusions but you should manually double-check that they have been removed
Generally speaking except in rare cases there should not be any excluded files, folders, or processes from being scanned.

Listing of exclusions
C:\Program Files
C:\Program Files (x86)\0a0c1ac02a3911eb9773806e6f6e6963a4872ad2dd325cabc47545d3159dea67
C:\Program Files (x86)\Fluxus
C:\Users\noah_
C:\Users\noah_\AppData\Local
C:\Users\noah_\AppData\Local\0a0c1ac02a3911eb9773806e6f6e69637c3081a8fe358ea01761b7f45abcf0f2
C:\Users\noah_\AppData\Local\GamerHash\
C:\Users\noah_\AppData\Local\Programs\RBXIDLE
C:\Users\noah_\AppData\Local\rbxidle-updater
C:\Users\noah_\AppData\Local\Temp
C:\Users\noah_\AppData\Local\Temp\
C:\Users\noah_\AppData\Local\Temp\Rar$EXa408.49872
C:\Users\noah_\AppData\Local\Temp\Rar$EXa7080.24098
C:\Users\noah_\AppData\Local\Temp\Rar$EXa980.47759
C:\Users\noah_\AppData\Local\Temp\setup.exe
C:\Users\noah_\AppData\Roaming
C:\Users\noah_\AppData\Roaming\Kryptex\miners\kryptex3\kryptex3.exe
C:\Users\noah_\AppData\Roaming\Kryptex\miners\kryptex4\kryptex4.exe
C:\Users\noah_\AppData\Roaming\Kryptex\miners\kryptex5\kryptex5.exe
C:\Users\noah_\AppData\Roaming\Kryptex\miners\kryptex6\kryptex6.exe
C:\Users\noah_\AppData\Roaming\Kryptex\miners\kryptex7\kryptex7.exe
C:\Users\noah_\AppData\Roaming\Kryptex\miners\kryptex9\kryptex9.exe
C:\Users\noah_\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
C:\Users\noah_\Desktop\Fluxus
C:\Users\noah_\Desktop\Fluxus\Fluxus
C:\Users\noah_\Desktop\Fluxus\Fluxus\bin
C:\Users\noah_\Desktop\Synapse X
C:\Users\noah_\Downloads\Comet 3
C:\Users\noah_\Downloads\Comet_Updating_System_.exe
C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile

 

[ 2 ]

Pleaes find and attach the following file
C:\Users\noah_\Desktop\Log-Clear-BrowserCache.txt

 

[ 3 ]

Next, please run this scan from Microsoft and post back the log when done

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

 

[FastYule]

Here are the results of the scans.

msert.log Log-Clear-BrowserCache.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Microsoft Safety Scanner found and corrected the following

Found VirTool:Win32/DefenderTamperingRestore, for cleaning, the system needs to be restarted.
Found Trojan:Win64/SilentCryptoMiner and Removed!
Microsoft Safety Scanner Finished On Sat Nov 18 17:33:52 2023

 

Let me have you run the following scan

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...   Thank you

 

 

[FastYule]

Heres the result.

report_2023.11.19_13.30.05.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Thank you for the log. Please run the following scanner now.

 

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

 

[FastYule]

When trying to run the scanner I get this error message shown below. I have also noticed that my Windows updater seems to be broken as well since it displays an error every time I try to check for an update.

[AdvancedSetup]

Yes, I wanted to make sure the computer was clean before we looked at fixing the broken services.

Please try the following scanner, then we'll look at fixing Windows

 

Dr.Web CureIt!

Please download the Dr.Web CureIt! anti-virus utility
https://free.drweb.com/

 

You will need to send them an email to obtain a link to download the scanner, please do so

• The downloaded file will normally have a unique name such as:  q7a9tr4p.exe
• Close all open applications and locate the downloaded file and double-click to run it
• The program will take a moment to launch and bring up the License and Update screen
• Place a check mark to agree to the terms and then click on the Continue button
• Click the underlined link Select objects for scanning
• On the top left click the Scanning objects that should automatically check all objects
• Click the small wrench and make sure there is a check on Automatically apply actions to threats
• Then click the large button on bottom right Start scanning
• Once the scan has completed there will be a link named Open report click that and a log named cureit.log should open in Notepad
• The log is saved in the folder named Doctor Web in the top of your user profile folders
• Please attach that log on your next reply

 

 

 

[FastYule]

Heres the log.

cureit.log

[AdvancedSetup]

It found and neutralized 1 infection

Please run the following now and we'll start to see if we can fix the Windows services that may be broken

 

 

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.

 

Edited November 20, 2023 by AdvancedSetup
Updated information

[FastYule]

Heres the result.

FSS.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

As before. Please save the attached file FIXLIST.TXT to the same location as the Farbar (FRST) program.

fixlist.txt

Then run the Farbar program with Admin rights. Then click the FIX button.

It will make the changes and restart the computer.

When done, please attach the new FIXLOG.TXT file

 

Thank you

 

[FastYule]

Fixlog.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Please run the FSS scanner one more time and attach the new log

 

[FastYule]

FSS.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

There we go. That looks much better.

Please check for Windows Updates and install any found.

 

Let me know if there are still any other signs of infection or other issues

 

[AdvancedSetup]

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