Question

Virus/Malware Preventing ComboFix from running

Asked by: Chernesky

I am taking a look at a friend's laptop who was complaining that one day several desktop shortcuts appeared out of nowhere and that Windows Defender and AVG popped up with alerts.

My first reaction was to run ComboFix is Safe Mode, however even though it is a fresh download, ComboFix displays a warning that the computer may be infected with a file-patching virus like "Virut".  Malwarebytes found 30 items and removed them, however ComboFix still will not run.

I attempted to run Trend Micro Housecall, however the browser will not navigate to that page, it hangs up on searching for 'search.avg.com'.  Usually ComboFix is my go-to, but if it won't run even in Safe Mode I'm concerned.  Are there are any boot disks that have it pre-installed?

Attached is the HiJackThis log, any input on how to remove this malware would be greatly appreciated.

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Asked On
2009-07-14 at 07:07:53ID24568746
Tags

virus

,

rootkit

,

combofix

,

hijackthis

,

malwarebytes

,

virut

,

malware

Topics

Latest Threats

,

HijackThis Software

,

Desktop Anti-Virus

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
6

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Answers

 

by: Admin3kPosted on 2009-07-14 at 07:16:35ID: 24849731

try renaming combofix first

 

by: CherneskyPosted on 2009-07-14 at 07:43:22ID: 24850067

I should have mentioned that in the original post, I always rename ComboFix before running it because I've had problems with viruses recognizing the name before.

 

by: rpggamergirlPosted on 2009-07-14 at 07:43:33ID: 24850069

Have you tried renaming Combofix before saving to your desktop?

Fix these entries in Hijackthis:
R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - *{4D25F926-B9FE-4682-BF72-8AB8210D6D75} - (no file)  
R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - *{CFBFAE00-17A6-11D0-99CB-00C04FD64497} - (no file)
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,C:\WINDOWS\system32\sdra64.exe,  
O1 - Hosts: 92.241.176.188 advanced-virus-remover2009.com  
O1 - Hosts: 92.241.176.188 www.advanced-virus-remover2009.com


C:\WINDOWS\system32\sdra64.exe <-- and remove this file.



You can also try DrWebCureIt, it's a very tool for detecting and removing virut.
http://www.freedrweb.com/

 

by: CherneskyPosted on 2009-07-14 at 07:45:30ID: 24850092

I will head over there now to remove those files, expect an update shortly.

 

by: rpggamergirlPosted on 2009-07-14 at 07:49:19ID: 24850148

Can you acces this link below, use the Combofix instructions there and see if it runs.

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Community_Support/Hidden/Private_Discussions/Q_24455711.html

 

by: BigPopovPosted on 2009-09-13 at 08:33:25ID: 25320572

Another approach that works sometimes, if renaming doesn't fix the problem,

Start in Safe Mode
- Click/Enter username
-- ASAP, CRTL + ALT + DEL to get the taskbar, even before the desktop loads. This is very important. Any programs that run in the applications list, kill it. If you can kill it quick enough, or even get CF turned on before the rogue program does, it will sometimes allow you to run CF.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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