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Unwanted Program

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Post #1
The 4 references to utilcat.exe and its reverse seem to be the bad stuff.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 8:39:51 PM, on 10/17/2004
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\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\AOL\ACS\acsd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cisvc.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsrte.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\wanmpsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Dell\EUSW\Support.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshld.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sonic\Update Manager\sgtray.exe
c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsescn.exe
c:\program files\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell\Support\Alert\bin\NotifyAlert.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell\Media Experience\PCMService.exe
C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mm_tray.exe
C:\Program Files\MusicMatch\MusicMatch Jukebox\mmtask.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Modem Event Monitor\IntelMEM.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell AIO Printer A920\dlbkbmgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Windows Update Setup Files\utilcat.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell AIO Printer A920\dlbkbmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\John Spanik\My Documents\Unzipped\hijackthis[1]\HijackThis.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell\Support\Alert\bin\rng.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://start.earthlink.net
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.earthlink.net/partner/more/msie…ton/search.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://start.earthlink.net/AL/Search
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.myway.com/index1.html
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.dell4me.com/myway
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://start.earthlink.net/AL/Search
R3 - URLSearchHook: SrchHook Class - {44F9B173-041C-4825-A9B9-D914BD9DCBB3} - (no file)
R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - ~CFBFAE00-17A6-11D0-99CB-00C04FD64497} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: EarthLink Popup Blocker - {4B5F2E08-6F39-479a-B547-B2026E4C7EDF} - C:\Program Files\EarthLink TotalAccess\PnEL.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: CATLEvents Object - {6A06CDAD-9D2D-42A0-9C91-C0CF7CB9971B} - C:\DOCUME~1\JOHNSP~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\taclitu.dat
O3 - Toolbar: McAfee VirusScan - {BA52B914-B692-46c4-B683-905236F6F655} - c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshl.dll
O3 - Toolbar: EarthLink Toolbar - {D7F30B62-8269-41AF-9539-B2697FA7D77E} - C:\Program Files\EarthLink TotalAccess\PnEL.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DwlClient] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Dell\EUSW\Support.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VSOCheckTask] "c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcmnhdlr.exe" /checktask
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VirusScan Online] "c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshld.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [StorageGuard] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sonic\Update Manager\sgtray.exe" /r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Propel Accelerator] C:\Program Files\EarthLink TotalAccess\Accelerator\PropelAC.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCMService] "C:\Program Files\Dell\Media Experience\PCMService.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MMTray] C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mm_tray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [mmtask] c:\Program Files\MusicMatch\MusicMatch Jukebox\mmtask.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCUpdateExe] C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcupdate.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCAgentExe] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IntelMeM] C:\Program Files\Intel\Modem Event Monitor\IntelMEM.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\System32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [dla] C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Dell AIO Printer A920] "C:\Program Files\Dell AIO Printer A920\dlbkbmgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [*utilcat] C:\WINDOWS\Windows Update Setup Files\utilcat.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [*utilcat] C:\WINDOWS\Windows Update Setup Files\utilcat.exe rerun
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MoneyAgent] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\mnyexpr.exe"
O4 - Global Startup: America Online 9.0 Tray Icon.lnk = C:\Program Files\America Online 9.0\aoltray.exe
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - (no file)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Shdocvw.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
O16 - DPF: {5F0C30E4-1E72-4DCC-85E5-57810F1CA97B} (McUpdatePortalFactory Class) - https://mysupport.nai.com/amiuptodate/bin/1…pdatePortal.cab
O16 - DPF: {8EC18CE2-D7B4-11D2-88C8-006008A717FD} (NCSView Class) - http://aerial.leepa.org/ecwplugins/ncs.cab
Post #2
hello alligator,

just to make sure
you might want to upload the file (utilcat.exe) to one or both of these:

http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/indexn.php
http://virusscan.jotti.dhs.org/


Make sure your PC is configured to show hidden files

Double click my computers & Go to Tools > Folder Options. Click on the View tab and make sure that "Show hidden files and folders" is checked. Also uncheck "Hide protected operating system files" and untick "hide extensions for known file types" . Now click "Apply to all folders"
Click "Apply" then "OK"

Reboot your PC into SAFE MODE(tap F8 key at restart, chose SAFE MODE, may take a few mintues to get to desktop)
or see link:

How to start the computer in Safe mode
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgen…001052409420406

Scan with HijackThis and place an check next to the following entries,then press *fix checked*

R3 - URLSearchHook: SrchHook Class - {44F9B173-041C-4825-A9B9-D914BD9DCBB3} - (no file)

R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - ~CFBFAE00-17A6-11D0-99CB-00C04FD64497} - (no file)

O2 - BHO: CATLEvents Object - {6A06CDAD-9D2D-42A0-9C91-C0CF7CB9971B} - C:\DOCUME~1\JOHNSP~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\taclitu.dat

4 - HKLM\..\Run: [*utilcat] C:\WINDOWS\Windows Update Setup Files\utilcat.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [*utilcat] C:\WINDOWS\Windows Update Setup Files\utilcat.exe rerun

still in safe mode find and delete this:
>>utilcat.exe<<
just the utilcat.exe file in C:\Windows

still in safe mode:
clear temps:
Empty Temp folders. Go to Start > Run and type:cleanmgr. Windows will scan. When done check these 3 and press *ok* to remove:

Temporary Files
Temporary Internet Files
Recycle Bin

and:
using explorer(right click on start>explore) drill down to these >>> you want to delete whats >inside< the folder, not the folder itself<<

C:\Windows\Temp\

C:\Documents and Settings\-Your Profile-\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\ (will dump all your cached internet content including cookies)

C:\Documents and Settings\-Your Profile-\Local Settings\Temp\

C:\Documents and Settings\-Any other users Profile-\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\

C:\Documents and Settings\-Any other users Profile-\Local Settings\Temp\

afterwards post a new HJT log
Post #3
Hello Shelf Life, After the HJT scan in safe mode, I located the utilcat.exe file with the Windows search pgm. Then , I zipped it to my docs for the later upload. However the delete returned the error message of failure. The task manager shows the utilcat.exe as an active process. The properties info call it an application pgm of 997K, and right now using 32,000K. I have an error message at shutdown of this stuff failing to initialize. Thanks, AL.
Post #4
hello alligator,

actually the files can be scanned from there present location, no need to zip and then upload. i also wouldnt have done anything with them until you had gotten the upload results. let me know if the upload finds anything and we will go from there, please post a new HJT log also…………..

here is another online scanner,

http://www.virustotal.com/xhtml/index_en.html
Post #5
Hello(1) Shelf Life, Ravantavirus=none Virusscan.jotti=bit defender=application=Virtumond.B I'm posting at another computer because my os degrades to nil after booting with the growth of utilcat.exe. There's no power to post my HJT log from home. The file utilcat.exe cannot be deleted because it is an active file. In the update setup files folder is something called taclitu.tmp, and the icon blinks on and off. The last Hjt scan shows the 03's gone but the 02 keeps returning after the fix with some variation of the 04's. I guess this is the brink of os reinstall. My PC baseline began in May of 2004. I hope the Force is with the good-guys! Thanks Al.
Post #6
hello alligator,

this BHO
O2 - BHO: CATLEvents Object - {6A06CDAD-9D2D-42A0-9C91-C0CF7CB9971B} - C:\DOCUME~1\JOHNSP~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\taclitu.dat

seems to be releated to VirtuMonde which is adware:
see links:
http://www.mountainwave.com/avcenter/venc/…virtumonde.html

lets try this which is >slightly different< then last time,

One of the best features of Windows ME or XP is the System Restore option, however if a virus infects a computer with this operating system the virus may be accidentally backed up because of this feature. In order to completely remove a virus on these operating systems, you should disable System Restore before cleaning the system, then reenable it after the system is clean.
NOTE: These instructions assume that you are using the default Windows XP Start Menu and have not changed to the Classic Start menu. To re-enable the default menu, right-click Start, click Properties, click Start menu (not Classic) and then click OK.


1. Click Start.
2. Right-click the My Computer icon, and then click Properties.
3. Click the System Restore tab.
4. Check "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all drives" as shown in this illustration:
5. Click Apply.
6. When turning off System Restore, the existing restore points will be deleted. Click Yes to do this.
7. Click OK.
8. Proceed with what you need to do; for example, virus removal. When you have finished, restart the computer and follow the instructions in the next section to turn on System Restore.
—————————————————————————————————
Make sure your PC is configured to show hidden files

Double click my computers & Go to Tools > Folder Options. Click on the View tab and make sure that "Show hidden files and folders" is checked. Also uncheck "Hide protected operating system files" and untick "hide extensions for known file types" . Now click "Apply to all folders"
Click "Apply" then "OK"

next run HJT and have it fix
O2 - BHO: CATLEvents Object - {6A06CDAD-9D2D-42A0-9C91-C0CF7CB9971B} - C:\DOCUME~1\JOHNSP~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\taclitu.dat

4 - HKLM\..\Run: [*utilcat] C:\WINDOWS\Windows Update Setup Files\utilcat.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [*utilcat] C:\WINDOWS\Windows Update Setup Files\utilcat.exe rerun
————————————————————————————————–
Next boot into SAFE MODE (f8 key at start up, chose safe mode)

once in SAFE MODE run HJT again

HijackThis has a built in process manager that can be used to end processes as well as see what DLLs are loaded in that process. To access the process manager, you should click on the Config button and then click on the Misc Tools button. You should now see a new screen with one of the buttons being Open Process Manager

This window will list all open processes running on your machine. You can then click once on a process to select it, and then click on the Kill Process button -This will attempt to end the process running on the computer
after that:
look and see if the > utilcat.exe< files are running, if so use the kill process button, then try and delete them while still in SAFE MODE…..
Post #8
Hello(2) Shelf Life, Thanks to your expertise and caution the bug is out!!! I guess this slipped in by (IE) and McAfee but if it returns I now know how and where to get assistance. *********THANKS*******
Post #9
glad to help, if you are confident its gone than if you chose to(i dont use it) we can turn restore back on, as windows will create a new "clean" restore point. how:
if its been turned off then to turn it back on;
To turn on Windows XP System Restore:

1. Click Start.
2. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
3. Click the System Restore tab.
4. Uncheck "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all drives."
5. Click Apply, and then click OK.

and now for my speech:

Now that you are clean, please follow afew steps to help remain that way:

1) Make sure you keep your Windows OS current by visiting Windows update occasionaly to download and install any critical updates and service packs. With out these you are leaving the backdoor open.
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp

Also download, install and keep updated- Antivirus Software (and use only one):
Free for home users:
http://www.avast.com/eng/free_virus_protectio.html
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/
http://www.free-av.com/

2) Watch what you download, and where you download it from. Many programs come bundled with crapware. Make sure you know what it is you will be downloading and installing. Visit the makers website, learn more about the program, read the privacy policy. Does the program you want come bundled with other "3rd party" programs? Will it deliver ads?.You may be installing more than you think., Stay away from warez and crack sites. Becarful what you download from file sharing networks.

3)Adjust your browser settings: Change your(active x) settings in IE. With IE open go to tools, internet options, security tab. Click on the internet globe, then custom level. Set the first option "download signed active x controls" to prompt, the next two to disable. Read more: https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/btw/ie/ie-opts.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/using/…y/settings.mspx
Many exploits are directed at Internet Explorer, you dont have to use it. Try a different browser: http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

4)Install a firewall. A firewall will control what comes in from the internet and what leaves your computer to the internet. A firewall will also alert you when a application trys to connect to the internet from your computer, this is a good way to catch spyware or trojans, trying to connect out bound from your computer. Zone Alarm is a free and easy to use firewall, that will provide in and outbound protection. Microsoft XP firewall only provides inbound protection. SP2 adds in and out bound protection which is better than nothing, but is not as robust as third party firewalls. Be sure to run only >one< firewall.
Zone Alarm: http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp
Kerio Personal Firewall: http://www.kerio.com/us/kpf_home.html
Outpost Firewall: http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpost/

5)Download, install and update before using:(if these are constantly finding malware, then you need to make some changes.)
Ad-Aware SE Personal edition: http://www.lavasoft.de/
Spybot Search and destroy: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
Becarful with spyware "removers and scanners"– there are many "rogue/suspect" programs that "claim to remove" spyware.


6)Other programs to consider:
SpywareBlaster: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/ind…showtutorial=49
IE-SPYAD: https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm#IESPYAD

7) Learn More:
http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/
http://www.cexx.org/adware.htm
http://www.markusjansson.net/erecent.html
Post #11
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