Question

Mysterious "Links" process running in Task Manager

Asked by: RKoons

I have a user who has been complaining about her web browser running a little slow lately. She takes a break at lunch and goes onto Facebook every day for about the last month. Other than that, she is an "all business" type of user (she is the company CFO, not that that makes her immune to Internet nastiness).

She pointed out an application running in Task Manager simply called "Links". There is no directory, no Icon, just a generic square window icon and the word links.

I could see no associated process that seemed to match it and when she closes all of her other open apps, it is still there. I also looked into IE's "Manage Add-Ons" section and did not see any suspicious elements there.

If we kill the process in Task Manager, it just comes back. I also saw nothing that stood out in the msconfig/Startup screen. I searched McAfee's library and found several "Links" items, but nothing that seemed to relate.

I ran "Process Explorer" and found it was related to Csrss.exe, but that was as far as I could get with it.

A full scan with McAfee turned up nothing.

Any advice or direction would be appreatiated.

Thanks


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Asked On
2009-08-05 at 07:01:33ID24628057
Tags

Seems connected to Csrss.exe

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Windows XP Operating System

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Answers

 

by: krazyjakeePosted on 2009-08-05 at 07:04:58ID: 25023555

Run software like malwarebytes: http://www.malwarebytes.org/

The user is infected with a trojan.

 

by: bmatumburaPosted on 2009-08-05 at 07:07:54ID: 25023584

Hi RKoons,

In process explorer, right-click this Links process and choose "Properties". Post the values in the Path and Command Line text boxes. This can help us find out what process that is.

 

by: SysExpertPosted on 2009-08-05 at 07:08:02ID: 25023586

ALso try

nobus List :
i suggest running ALL these :
      Spybot :        http://www.download.com/3000-8022-10122137.html
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/                                                               online scan for trojans
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php                         MBAM
http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/tools/security_tools/hijackthis                                  download

http://www.hijackthis.de/index.php?langselect=english                                check the log

I hope this helps !

 

 

by: bmatumburaPosted on 2009-08-05 at 07:13:21ID: 25023642

 

by: rpggamergirlPosted on 2009-08-05 at 08:13:19ID: 25024355

When Process explorer was on did it show csrss.exe with the description "Client Servier Runtime Process" and Microsoft Corporation as company name?
Also checks the path to make sure that it's correct - C:\WINDOWS\system32\csrss.exe



Scan the system with MalwareBytes and Combofix.

Please download ComboFix by sUBs:
http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/sUBs/ComboFix.exe
(If it doesn't run re-download but rename before saving to your desktop)

You must download it to and run it from your Desktop
Now STOP all your monitoring programs (Antivirus/Antispyware, Guards and Shields) as they could easily interfere with ComboFix.
Double click combofix.exe & follow the prompts.
When finished, it will produce a log. Please save that log and attach it in your next reply by pasting it in the "Code Snippet" or "Attach File" window.
Re-enable all the programs that were disabled during the running of ComboFix..


Note:
Do not mouse-click combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.

CF disconnects your machine from the internet. The connection is automatically restored before CF completes its run. If CF runs into difficulty and terminates prematurely, the connection can be manually restored by restarting your machine.



If needed, here's the Combofix tutorial which includes the installation of the Recovery Console:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/how-to-use-combofix



 

by: RKoonsPosted on 2009-08-05 at 12:38:39ID: 25027226

I am in the process of running some of the suggestions noted above. I will let you know one I get something I can get my hands on.

Also, when I end task, it pops up a window that says "Confirm Toolbar Close" Asking me to confirm the closing of the Links toolbar window. The real Links toolbar that windows provides is not open and does not require confermation when I close it.

bmatumbura:

There is no "Links" noted in "Process Explorer" that I can see.

rpggamergirl:

Now it is associated with Explorer, PID 704... Me thinks it may be jumping around whenever you stop it. When I am finished with this "Malwarebytes" scan I will test that theroy.

 

by: RKoonsPosted on 2009-08-05 at 13:49:31ID: 25027965

OK...

Ran both Malwarebytes & ComboFix. Both found and cleaned some things. Neither solved my specific problem (Logs attached).

It's not "jumping around" -at least not now. It is associated with Explorer.exe.

I was able to confirm that it is associated with the specific users profile, because when I log in as the Admin, there is no links running.

So...

Tomorrow, I am going to delete her profile, let the system make her a new one, and see what happens.

...To be continued!

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.40
Database version: 2565
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
 
8/5/2009 2:58:05 PM
mbam-log-2009-08-05 (14-57-51).txt
 
Scan type: Full Scan (C:\|)
Objects scanned: 216804
Time elapsed: 51 minute(s), 16 second(s)
 
Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 2
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 1
 
Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
 
Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
 
Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{b64f4a7c-97c9-11da-8bde-f66bad1e3f3a} (Rogue.WinAntiVirus) -> No action taken.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\Setup.exe (Trojan.Agent) -> No action taken.
 
Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
 
Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
 
Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
 
Files Infected:
C:\Setup.exe (Trojan.Agent) -> No action taken.
 
**************************************************************************
**************************************************************************
**************************************************************************
ComboFix 09-08-04.04 - MMulhern 08/05/2009 15:10.1.2 - NTFSx86
Microsoft Windows XP Professional  5.1.2600.2.1252.1.1033.18.1022.664 [GMT -5:00]
Running from: t:\melissa\ComboFix.exe
AV: VirusScan Enterprise + AntiSpyware Enterprise *On-access scanning disabled* (Updated) {918A2B0B-2C60-4016-A4AB-E868DEABF7F0}
.
 
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((   Other Deletions   )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
.
 
c:\windows\COUPON~1.OCX
c:\windows\CouponPrinter.ocx
c:\windows\Installer\1db51275.msi
c:\windows\Installer\487a891.msp
c:\windows\Installer\WinRMSrv.msi
c:\windows\system32\drivers\fad.sys
 
.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((   Files Created from 2009-07-05 to 2009-08-05  )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
.
 
2009-08-05 18:52 . 2009-08-05 18:52	--------	d-----w-	c:\documents and settings\mmulhern.KNIGHTCORP\Application Data\Malwarebytes
2009-08-05 18:52 . 2009-08-03 18:36	38160	----a-w-	c:\windows\system32\drivers\mbamswissarmy.sys
2009-08-05 18:52 . 2009-08-05 18:52	--------	d-----w-	c:\documents and settings\All Users\Application Data\Malwarebytes
2009-08-05 18:52 . 2009-08-05 18:52	--------	d-----w-	c:\program files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
2009-08-05 18:52 . 2009-08-03 18:36	19096	----a-w-	c:\windows\system32\drivers\mbam.sys
 
.
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((   Find3M Report   ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
.
2009-07-21 16:19 . 2004-11-30 15:42	--------	d-----w-	c:\program files\tvalue
2009-06-08 18:05 . 2009-06-08 18:04	--------	d-----w-	c:\program files\QuickTime
2009-06-08 18:04 . 2009-06-08 18:04	--------	d-----w-	c:\documents and settings\All Users\Application Data\Apple Computer
.
 
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((   Reg Loading Points   ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
.
.
*Note* empty entries & legit default entries are not shown 
REGEDIT4
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"IAAnotif"="c:\program files\Intel\Intel Application Accelerator\iaanotif.exe" [2004-06-29 135168]
"ATIPTA"="c:\program files\ATI TECHNOLOGIES\ATI CONTROL PANEL\ATIPTAXX.EXE" [2004-09-15 339968]
"ISUSPM Startup"="c:\program files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\ISUSPM.exe" [2005-08-11 249856]
"ISUSScheduler"="c:\program files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe" [2005-08-11 81920]
"hpbdfawep"="c:\program files\HP\Dfawep\bin\hpbdfawep.exe" [2006-07-12 626688]
"SunJavaUpdateSched"="c:\program files\Java\jre1.5.0_12\bin\jusched.exe" [2007-05-02 75520]
"ShStatEXE"="c:\program files\McAfee\VirusScan Enterprise\SHSTAT.EXE" [2009-01-28 111952]
"McAfeeUpdaterUI"="c:\program files\McAfee\Common Framework\udaterui.exe" [2008-03-14 136512]
"Adobe Reader Speed Launcher"="c:\program files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe" [2008-10-15 39792]
"QuickTime Task"="c:\program files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" [2009-05-26 413696]
 
[HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce]
"TSClientMSIUninstaller"="c:\windows\Installer\TSClientMsiTrans\tscuinst.vbs" [2006-11-07 12451]
 
c:\documents and settings\MMulhern\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
Microsoft Outlook.lnk - c:\program files\Microsoft Office2k\OFFICE11\OUTLOOK.EXE [2008-1-30 199688]
 
c:\documents and settings\mmulhern.KNIGHTCORP\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
Microsoft Outlook.lnk - c:\program files\Microsoft Office2k\OFFICE11\OUTLOOK.EXE [2008-1-30 199688]
 
c:\documents and settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
Classic PhoneTools.lnk - c:\program files\Classic PhoneTools\Phontool.exe [2008-4-29 1019904]
Digital Line Detect.lnk - c:\program files\Digital Line Detect\DLG.exe [2004-11-12 24576]
Office Startup.lnk - c:\program files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA.EXE [1997-7-11 61440]
 
[HKLM\~\services\sharedaccess\parameters\firewallpolicy\standardprofile]
"EnableFirewall"= 0 (0x0)
 
[HKLM\~\services\sharedaccess\parameters\firewallpolicy\standardprofile\AuthorizedApplications\List]
"%windir%\\system32\\sessmgr.exe"=
 
R2 AfsImageVision;Afs Image Vision Service;c:\program files\Advanced Financial Solutions\Direct Merchant\ImageVisionService\ImageVisionService.exe [8/30/2006 3:21 PM 24576]
R3 TSUSB2;Driver for TellerScan Device;c:\windows\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\TSUSB2.sys [7/22/2008 11:13 AM 54016]
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows nt\currentversion\svchost]
HPZ12	REG_MULTI_SZ   	Pml Driver HPZ12 Net Driver HPZ12
.
Contents of the 'Scheduled Tasks' folder
 
2009-08-03 c:\windows\Tasks\AppleSoftwareUpdate.job
- c:\program files\Apple Software Update\SoftwareUpdate.exe [2008-07-30 17:34]
.
- - - - ORPHANS REMOVED - - - -
 
HKU-Default-RunOnce-TSClientAXDisabler - c:\windows\Installer\TSClientMsiTrans\tscdsbl.bat
Notify-dimsntfy - (no file)
 
 
.
------- Supplementary Scan -------
.
uStart Page = hxxp://www.google.com/
IE: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - c:\progra~1\MICROS~4\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
DPF: {2CCFEB42-1C81-4191-807C-708F4043D179} - hxxps://odm.associatedbank.com/MerchantCaptureWebClient241/CaptureControlUtility.cab
DPF: {EF53EB97-8E0A-4DB6-ADF3-5B79B6E7A26B} - hxxps://odm.associatedbank.com/MerchantCaptureWebClient241/AfsDevice_TellerScan.cab
.
 
**************************************************************************
 
catchme 0.3.1398 W2K/XP/Vista - rootkit/stealth malware detector by Gmer, http://www.gmer.net
Rootkit scan 2009-08-05 15:21
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 NTFS
 
scanning hidden processes ...  
 
scanning hidden autostart entries ... 
 
scanning hidden files ...  
 
scan completed successfully
hidden files: 0
 
**************************************************************************
.
--------------------- DLLs Loaded Under Running Processes ---------------------
 
- - - - - - - > 'explorer.exe'(1408)
c:\windows\system32\WPDShServiceObj.dll
c:\windows\system32\PortableDeviceTypes.dll
c:\windows\system32\PortableDeviceApi.dll
.
------------------------ Other Running Processes ------------------------
.
c:\windows\SYSTEM32\ati2evxx.exe
c:\windows\SYSTEM32\BAsfIpM.exe
c:\program files\Intel\Intel Application Accelerator\IAANTmon.exe
c:\program files\McAfee\Common Framework\FrameworkService.exe
c:\program files\McAfee\VirusScan Enterprise\VsTskMgr.exe
c:\program files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
c:\windows\SYSTEM32\TCPSVCS.EXE
c:\program files\McAfee\Common Framework\naPrdMgr.exe
c:\program files\McAfee\Common Framework\Mctray.exe
c:\windows\SYSTEM32\rundll32.exe
c:\program files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
.
**************************************************************************
.
Completion time: 2009-08-05 15:23 - machine was rebooted [Administrator]
ComboFix-quarantined-files.txt  2009-08-05 20:23
 
Pre-Run: 57,348,452,352 bytes free
Post-Run: 58,421,157,888 bytes free
 
115	--- E O F ---	2009-03-06 23:55
                                              
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by: RKoonsPosted on 2009-08-10 at 05:55:53ID: 25059463

In the end, I replaced the users profile with a new one, and the "Links" went away! I am grateful that it was user profile specific, as this made the repair of it eaiser to fix.

As for the solution winner...

I tried, but could not see any one suggestion that really solved my problem, other than replacing the profile.

Thanks for the assistance, and at least there is still a solution, even though it's my solution, and I'm still not sure where it came from, and what it was!

Thanks all!

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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