Member Avatar for JNorman

Hello all and welcome me to forums,

One of my client users has received the (apparently) very popular and useful Home Search Assistent and it's friends. Per suggestions in previous threads, I have tried both the HSRemove (2x reboot, 2x reboot) and the about: Buster (2x reboot, 2x reboot). Microsoft Beta1 catches what it puts on, but not what the program itself. I have downloaded and run hijackthis 1.99. Here is the log, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 10:28:04 AM, on 5/10/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\sysjr.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\ASF Agent\ASFAgent.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec_Client_Security\Symantec AntiVirus\DefWatch.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\Program Files\Symantec_Client_Security\Symantec AntiVirus\Rtvscan.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_03\bin\jusched.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\vptray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\iero.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
I:\Lexis\LexLink.exe
C:\HJT\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\pzswd.dll/sp.html#28129
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\pzswd.dll/sp.html#28129
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\pzswd.dll/sp.html#28129
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\pzswd.dll/sp.html#28129
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\pzswd.dll/sp.html#28129
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\pzswd.dll/sp.html#28129
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://r.office.microsoft.com/r/rlidOfficeUpdate?clid=1033
R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing
O2 - BHO: Class - {00ABB85E-07E6-B7B9-BA96-1CA233683B48} - C:\WINDOWS\mfcju.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\System32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_03\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [vptray] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\vptray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iero.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\iero.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - Startup: Shortcut to WDMIRROR.lnk = C:\WORLDOX\WDMIRROR.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: LEXLink.lnk = Lexis\LexLink.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O15 - Trusted Zone: web2.westlaw.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://web2.westlaw.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.westlaw.com
O16 - DPF: {88D969C0-F192-11D4-A65F-0040963251E5} (XML DOM Document 4.0) -
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: Domain = wrightrobinson.com
O17 - HKLM\Software\..\Telephony: DomainName = wrightrobinson.com
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: Domain = wrightrobinson.com
O17 - HKLM\System\CS2\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: Domain = wrightrobinson.com
O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\igfxsrvc.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: NavLogon - C:\WINDOWS\System32\NavLogon.dll
O23 - Service: Network Security Service ( 11Fßä#·ºÄÖ`I) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\sysjr.exe
O23 - Service: ASF Agent (ASFAgent) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\ASF Agent\ASFAgent.exe
O23 - Service: DefWatch - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec_Client_Security\Symantec AntiVirus\DefWatch.exe
O23 - Service: Intel NCS NetService (NetSvc) - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\NCS\Sync\NetSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec AntiVirus Client (Norton AntiVirus Server) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec_Client_Security\Symantec AntiVirus\Rtvscan.exe

Thanx again

Jake

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  • 12 Hours Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by crunchie

Dani AI

Generated

The HijackThis log shows a classic browser‑search hijack plus a persistent, oddly named service that survives reboots. is on the right track and ’s on‑demand scans and tool suggestions are useful first steps. Add these complementary actions to remove persistence (and to stop the infection from coming back via restore points or scheduled tasks).

  • Disable System Restore before you start (prevents reinfection from old restore points), then reboot to Safe Mode to do removals.
  • Use Autoruns (Sysinternals) to enumerate every autostart location; export the list, then uncheck or delete entries that point to unfamiliar files.
  • Use Process Explorer (or the HijackThis process manager) to find which process holds a file handle; close the handle or kill the process, then delete the file from Safe Mode or from a clean OS environment.
  • If a service is the persistence point, find its real service name (Services MMC or sc query) and remove it when stopped. Example: 
sc delete "ServiceName"
  • Check Scheduled Tasks, the Hosts file, and any custom Winsock/LSP entries. If networking looks altered, consider resetting the Winsock catalog: 
netsh winsock reset
  • After removal: clear temp/IE cache, re-enable System Restore and create a fresh restore point, then rerun on‑demand scans and HijackThis. Post the new HijackThis log (and the logs from any specialist tools you run) so responders can review remaining entries.

Back up the registry before edits and do not delete files you cannot positively identify as malicious. If the infection resists removal, an offline rescue scan or a clean reinstall (after backing up data) is the safest route.

Recommended Answers

All 2 Replies

Member Avatar for JNorman

Also, any threads helping user's to read these log files for common spyware would be greatly appreciated.

Jake

Member Avatar for crunchie

Jake,

Hi and welcome to the Daniweb forums :).

-

Go to www.trendmicro.com, and then:

1. Click "Free Online Scan".
2. Click "Scan now, it's free".

It'll take a few minutes to download (especially with a dialup connection), so be patient. When it's down:

1. Select all available drives.
2. Check(tick) "Auto Clean".
3. Click "Scan".

When it completes, post back the full filename of any files that cannot be cleaned or deleted.

===============

Download CWShredder 2.14 from here. Run it and press the *fix,* not scan and allow it to clean the infection. Close all browser and explorer windows before hitting the fix button.


===============

Download, unzip to your desktop About:Buster and run it, then:

1. Click "Update".
2. Click "Check For Update"

(If no new version is available, skip to step #4.)

3. Click "Download Update", and wait for it to be installed.
4. Click "Start".

(Wait for the initial ADS scan to complete.)

5. Click "Yes", to shutdown any IE session currently open.

(Wait for the about:blank scan to complete.)

6. Click "Ok", to scan once more.
7. Click "Yes", to shutdown any IE sessions currently open.
8. Click "Yes", to begin the second pass.

9. Click "Save log", and post this log back along with your new log.
10. Click "Exit".
11. Click "Exit".
12. "Reboot"..


===============

Run HiJackThis then:

1. Click "Open the Misc Tools Section"
2. Click "Open Process manager"

-

Next, while holding down the CTRL key, locate (if present) and click on (highlight) each of the following:

C:\WINDOWS\sysjr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\iero.exe

Now double-check and make sure that only those item(s) above are highlighted, then click "Kill process". Now, click "Refresh", check again, and repeat this step if any remain.

===============

Run HiJackThis and click "Scan", then check(tick) the following, if present:


R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\pzswd.dll/sp.html#28129
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\pzswd.dll/sp.html#28129
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\pzswd.dll/sp.html#28129
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\pzswd.dll/sp.html#28129
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\pzswd.dll/sp.html#28129
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\pzswd.dll/sp.html#28129

R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing

O2 - BHO: Class - {00ABB85E-07E6-B7B9-BA96-1CA233683B48} - C:\WINDOWS\mfcju.dll

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iero.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\iero.exe

O16 - DPF: {88D969C0-F192-11D4-A65F-0040963251E5} (XML DOM Document 4.0) -

O23 - Service: Network Security Service ( 11Fßä#·ºÄÖ`I) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\sysjr.exe


Now, with all windows closed except HiJackThis, click "Fix checked".

===============

Locate and delete the following item(s), if present. Make sure your able to "view system and hidden files/ folders:"

files...

C:\WINDOWS\sysjr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\iero.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\pzswd.dll
C:\WINDOWS\mfcju.dll

-

Note that some of these file(s) may or may not be present. If present, and cannot be deleted because they're 'in use', try deleting them in "".

-

Reboot.

===============

To help protect your system from hostile ActiveX content, or special 'downloadable' files:

Download, install and keep updated, SpywareBlaster. If you've installed it for the first time:

1) Check for any available updates; if present, they'll be automatically downloaded and installed.
2) Next, "Enable all protection".
3) Exit the program.

-

Note: Remember to regularly check for updates.

===============

After rebooting your PC, rescan with hijackthis and post a new log.
Let me know how things are now.

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