Question

Infected XP can't open SDFix Spybot Combofix Firefox etc

Asked by: veedar

So I'm working to clean up a heavily infected XP Pro box. Tried many things and have cleaned up a lot but still something is preventing me from opening anti-spyware tools like SDFix Spybot and Combofix and even Firefox installer I can't open. Other apps notepad etc. will open fine.

Now if I rename the app it will open. So I suspect something is watching for the launch of certain applications by name and then blocking them.

Has anyone seen anything like this before?

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Asked On
2008-06-06 at 11:10:38ID23464577
Topics

Anti-Virus

,

Windows XP Operating System

,

Desktop Anti-Virus

Participating Experts
4
Points
500
Comments
11

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Answers

 

by: IanThPosted on 2008-06-06 at 11:18:03ID: 21731478

have you tried to run the anti-spyware tools in safe mode

 

by: astaecPosted on 2008-06-06 at 11:19:36ID: 21731491

When you did your cleanups, was the SYSTEM RESTORE option on or off?

Have you tried some of the checkpoints from Microsoft such as: Microsoft Defender or others of their Spyware tools?
Windows Defender is a free program that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software. It features Real-Time Protection, a monitoring system that recommends actions against spyware when it's detected and minimizes interruptions and helps you stay productive. Now with 2 free support incidents for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

Other possibilities here:
Protect yourself from spyware, viruses, identity theft, and spam

Download Windows Live OneCare
Try a free 90-day trial version of the comprehensive security service that helps protect you from viruses, spyware, and other unwanted software.
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/products/computer/default.mspx

Asta

 

by: astaecPosted on 2008-06-06 at 11:22:19ID: 21731523

How current is XP?  SP2 installed?  Phishing Filter?  Many questions come to mind, and not enough known about your system, so more here:
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/products/yourself/phishingfilter.mspx
Malicious Software Removal Tool
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

 

by: jcimarronPosted on 2008-06-06 at 11:23:18ID: 21731528

veedar--Possible help here
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Software/Internet_Email/Spy_Ad_Blockers/HijackThis/Q_22826187.html
This virus is not the only nastie to deny access to antispyware programs, but the general concept of running HiJackThis is a good start.  (If you cannot access the HJT site to download, perhaps a friend with another PC, will download it for you and burn it to a flash drive or CD so you can try to run from either of those.)  Post the HJT log here.
http://www.download.com/Trend-Micro-HijackThis/3000-8022_4-10227353.html

 

by: veedarPosted on 2008-06-06 at 11:34:48ID: 21731627

Thanks guys I'll try your suggestions tomorrow when I have access to the PC.

Tried safe mode but same problem. I will try turning off system restore. HJT does run unblocked but didn't fix the problem. I'll post the HJT log perhaps I missed something.

 

by: jcimarronPosted on 2008-06-06 at 11:39:38ID: 21731660

veedar--And in the first link I suggested, do not overlook rpggamergirl's suggestion
"Please go to Start Menu > Run > then copy and paste the following line:

%systemdrive%\SDFix\apps\FixPath.exe /Q  "

 

by: rpggamergirlPosted on 2008-06-06 at 15:47:13ID: 21733255

Also try this:

Start > type:

command.com


and at the command.com prompt, type:

ftype exefile="%1" %*


That should restore the default association for exefiles again temporarily. Then see if those programs will run.
If they still won't run, then you need to rename them.
Redownload Combofix and rename it before you save it to your desktop. Renaming after it has been downloaded won't work.

Then STOP all your monitoring programs (Antivirus/Antispyware, Guards and Shields) as they could easily interfere with ComboFix.
Re-enable all the programs that were disabled during the running of ComboFix..

From the run box type the following:

"%userprofile%\desktop\ComboFix.exe" /KillAll


Please save the log and attach it in your next reply.
--------------
As for SDFix it should be renamed also,
Or, if you have another pc, use that to download SDFix and extract it on that pc before transfering the SDFix.exe into the infected pc.

 

by: rpggamergirlPosted on 2008-06-06 at 15:55:12ID: 21733298

>>> I will try turning off system restore<<<
If System Restore is still functioning, please don't turn it off you might need it if nothing works.
You can turn it off once your pc is stable, after you've cleaned out all the nasties. A bad restore point is better than none.

 

by: veedarPosted on 2008-06-07 at 12:47:18ID: 21736608

Thanks everyone but rpggamergirl had the fix. I downloaded ComboFix on another system and renamed it BoFi before transferring it over to the infected system.  After BoFi finished I was able to open all apps normally once again.

BTW I had tried a renamed ComboFix before and it appeared to run correctly but did not fix things. The point to remember here seems to be to do the rename before transferring to the infected system.

 

by: veedarPosted on 2008-06-07 at 12:49:41ID: 31464835

Thanks a million  rpggamergirl I had been struggling with this repair for days!    -V

 

by: rpggamergirlPosted on 2008-06-07 at 18:32:01ID: 21737202

veedar,
I just saw the wrong word in my other post "Saving which should've been "renaming" sorry(now fixed/edited).

Well done in making CF run. Glad to know that the problem is now solved. Sometimes there are some leftovers that still need to be removed and show up in the CF log. If you want us to check the log just attach it here.


Please note:
Once you're finished with Combofix you need to uninstall it.
Go to Start > Run and copy and paste next command in the field:

ComboFix /u


The procedure will delete the following:
ComboFix and its associated files and folders.
VundoFix backups, if present
The C:\Deckard folder, if present
The C:_OtMoveIt folder, if present
Reset the clock settings.
Hide file extensions, if required.
Hide System/Hidden files, if required.

Thanks!

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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