PNG trojan downloader?

[Badmin]

I have been getting phantom trojan downloaders for about a month now. for the first 2 times it was dll files in the WINDOWS/ASSSEMBLY folder now It seems its moved to a screenshot. can anyone tell me if this is a FP or legit or some sort of bug please? thank you

Malwarebytes Scan Report 2024-09-29 194715.txt

[Badmin]

If it wouldn't be a bother can someone take a look at this log as well? this is an instance of what I called the phantom trojan downloadersMalwarebytes Scan Report 2024-09-11 151119.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Sorry for the delay @Badmin

 

Let's get the info to get the process started. Be aware it will take many steps and scans to fully remove malware.

Please respond to all future instructions from your helper in a timely manner.

 

Let's go ahead and run a couple of scans and get some updated logs from your system. Please read the entire post below before starting so that you're more familiar with the process

Then follow each step in the order provided. Unless otherwise asked, please attach all logs

 

Please make the following system changes:  Please pay close attention the the instructions in all of the following links.

• If you have not done so already - Enable System Protection and create a NEW System Restore Point
• Temporarily disable your antivirus real-time protection or other security software first only 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 downloads are completed
• Disable-Fast-Startup
• Show-Hidden-Folders-Files-Extensions

Please run the following scans:  Please pay close attention the the instructions in all of the following links.

1. Click the following link and run a  Scan with AdwCleaner
2. Click the following link and run a  Scan with Malwarebytes 
      RESTART the computer
3. Click the following link and run a  Scan with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool 
    

Example image of where to click to attach files when posting your reply

 

Thank you

 

[Badmin]

Addition.txtFRST.txtAdwCleaner[C00].txtAdwCleaner[S00].txtMalwarebytes Scan Report 2024-10-01 194236.txt here are the requested logs

[AdvancedSetup]

Thank you for the logs @Badmin

 

 

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\Kris\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

 

[Badmin]

I am running the fix as I write this, just to add I have seen cmds pop up on startup before but from the logs I sent before does there appear to be anything wrong with my system?

[Badmin]

Fixlog.txthere is the fix log for you

[AdvancedSetup]

Overall the fix ran well.. However the source files for Windows used by DISM for repairs was not found on the system.

SFC attempted to make some fixes to the system but was unable to due to DISM missing.

We can look at that later on.

For now, please run the following AV scans.

[ 1 ]

ESET Online Scanner

Please run the following 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

 

[ 2 ]

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

Please read the entire post below before starting so that you're more familiar with the process

[ 1 ]

Please make the following system changes.

• Temporarily disable your antivirus real-time protection or other security software first only 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

[ 2 ]

Microsoft Safety Scanner

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 to complete.

• 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 and saved in the log.
• The scan may 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 and did.

 

Thank you

 

[Badmin]

Thank you for all you've done so far! I will run these scans and come back to you when both are complete

[Badmin]

@AdvancedSetup it appears the ESET online scanner resets its module update progress once it gets to 20% is this normal to happen?

[AdvancedSetup]

No, it's not normal but sometimes ESET has issues running on some systems.

Please move on to running the Microsoft scanner

 

[Badmin]

Will do, It looks like it gets to random points in the download then resets and sometimes even closes itself while downloading the update so I will follow your advice and go to the microsoft scanner

[Badmin]

Quick question @AdvancedSetupdoes my pc need to be connected to the internet for the Microsoft scan to run smoothly?

[AdvancedSetup]

Yes, Microsoft is using the Cloud to scan your system and finalize the resutls

 

[Badmin]

@AdvancedSetupmy system has been scanning without internet for about an hour would connecting now work or would I need to re run the whole scan

[Badmin]

@AdvancedSetup I'm so sorry for the ping again but the scan is almost done,  it's been offline the whole time if you want I can run it again while connected to wifi. And if you request me to run the scan while on wifi would it pose any risk to be connected to the same wifi as the pc?

[AdvancedSetup]

If it's offline and cannot upload the file then it will not complete properly.

Unless the Router itself was the root cause of exploit there is typically no connection threat. It's possible that if you had sharing between computers enabled that it could spread but without sharing enabled it should be fine.

 

[Badmin]

Thank you for the reply I will run the scan again with wifi enabled and will get back to you most likely tomorrow (8 - 12 hours ish) thank you so much for your support so far

[AdvancedSetup]

Okay, sounds good

 

[Badmin]

hello Im back with the log just to note it looks like the bit where it was offline is still there you just have to scroll down a bit, it said there were 35 files detected but when the scan was done it said everything was clearmsert.log

[AdvancedSetup]

Yes, that was part of the notes about running the scan @Badmin

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

 

Results Summary:
----------------
No infection found.

 

How is the computer running now?

Are there still any signs of infection or any other unresolved issues?

[Badmin]

I'm not sure I'm not home at the moment, but do you know what could have caused malwarebytes to detect an image as a trojan though?

[Badmin]

@AdvancedSetupthe only other issue I can think of is when I had the trial version of malwarebytes It would block outgoing connections on port 0 for "compromised" but I believe this to be an issue with using a VPN as I've seen another user with this issue

[AdvancedSetup]

An image can contain malware

You'd need the original image and upload it to https://virustotal.com to have them scan it.

Are you still having an outgoing block issue?

 

[Badmin]

I no longer have the trial of malwarebytes so I do not know, if you'd like when I get home I can upload the RTP log when it was happening