Author Topic: Incredibly tough variant of Alureon-K!  (Read 3818 times)

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Charles Hope

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Incredibly tough variant of Alureon-K!
« on: May 06, 2013, 03:27:20 AM »
I am having an unholy adventure with the Alureon-K root kit.

First it was discovered by Windows malicious software removal.  Then I installed Avast, which also discovered it at partition three, but is completely unable to delete it, even after rebooting.

Then I tried Windows Defender Off-line.  I created a bootable USB, and that was able to find it, but encountered an error trying to delete it!

Then I tried Kaspersky TDSSKiller with default settings.  It found nothing.

Then I booted into the Windows repair console, and did fixmbr and fixboot, and rebooted. Avast still found the Trojan.

Then I tried aswMBR. This found it, but was unable to delete it.  I enclose the log.

I launched Microsoft disk Management, and took a screenshot. I don't see any 2 MB partition.  I enclose that screenshot.

I ran OTL, which generated some logs, but I didn't see any messages in the GUI about any problems found.  I enclose those logs.

Next I tried Malware Bytes.  This didn't find anything wrong.  I enclose that log.

Then I tried TDSSKiller again, but with the Detect TDLFS filesystem option checked.  Now it found problems, but since Cure was not the suggested reaction, I skipped making any changes.  That log is enclosed.

Finally I tried RogueKiller.  That found one suspicious process, and two suspicious registry entries.  I fixed everything.  That log is enclosed.

Then I restarted, and ran RogueKiller again. It found nothing!  But Avast and aswMBR still find Alureon-K!

Could it be living on my USB thumb drive, which I have plugged in here?  But I have run avast scans on it, and it finds nothing.

This is really unbelievable!

I'm not finding any of the symptoms of this Trojan.  No blue screens or reboots.  The only problem I have with this computer is that from time to time the wireless connection dies and must be repaired.

Charles Hope

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Re: Incredibly tough variant of Alureon-K!
« Reply #1 on: May 06, 2013, 03:30:28 AM »
Follow-up post for the sake of attaching more log files.

Offline Pondus

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Re: Incredibly tough variant of Alureon-K!
« Reply #2 on: May 06, 2013, 07:19:25 AM »
malware removers are notified, they are usually here after work hours european time

Offline essexboy

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Re: Incredibly tough variant of Alureon-K!
« Reply #3 on: May 06, 2013, 05:40:18 PM »
Hi re-run TDSSKiller

  • Check the boxes beside Verify Driver Digital Signature and Detect TDLFS file system, then click OK.
     
  • Click the Start Scan button.

    When you see the following element select delete :

    \Device\Harddisk0\DR0 ( TDSS File System )

    Download the following programme to your desktop :
     
    ListParts


    Run the programme
    The tool will start to run.

    Press Scan button.
    It will make a log (results.txt) . Please copy and paste it to your reply.

Charles Hope

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Re: Incredibly tough variant of Alureon-K!
« Reply #4 on: May 06, 2013, 08:41:20 PM »
Thank you, essexboy.

I ran TDSSKiller, and it found the suspicious object in the partition. I selected delete, but Avast! put up a dialog box, and seemed to intercept the deletion. But when I ran TDSSKiller a second time, it no longer reported the suspicious object in the partition. I enclose the screenshot.

Then I downloaded ListParts and ran that, and it found a suspicious object in the partition!  I'm enclosing that log as well.

Also, when I scan with Avast!, it immediately finds Alureon immediately, still in the MBR.

Thanks for your help! This is a tough case, isn't it?

Offline essexboy

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Re: Incredibly tough variant of Alureon-K!
« Reply #5 on: May 06, 2013, 09:05:47 PM »
OK that listparts log was just to confirm that the bad partition is not active.

So go to disc management again
Right click the 10Mb partition (The second one in your screenshot)
Select Delete

Avast should now no longer find TDSS

Avast detected the TDSS files being moved by TDSSKiller :)

Charles Hope

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Re: Incredibly tough variant of Alureon-K!
« Reply #6 on: May 06, 2013, 10:00:28 PM »
That seems to have done the trick!  So I take it the Trojan created that partition for itself. I wonder why all these tools weren't able to realize that and delete the partition themselves, or at least zero out the Trojan.

Thanks for your help!

Offline essexboy

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Re: Incredibly tough variant of Alureon-K!
« Reply #7 on: May 06, 2013, 10:15:30 PM »
The problem is that the tools are only designed to work on the main partition ..   How is the computer now ?

Charles Hope

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Re: Incredibly tough variant of Alureon-K!
« Reply #8 on: May 07, 2013, 10:48:37 PM »
Avast quick scan, and aswMBR both find no problems.  Is everything all right now?

Offline essexboy

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Re: Incredibly tough variant of Alureon-K!
« Reply #9 on: May 07, 2013, 11:35:00 PM »
Subject to no further problems   :)

I will remove my tools now and give some recommendations, but, I would like you to run for 24 hours or so and come back if you have any problems 

Now the best part of the day ----- Your log now appears clean  :thumbsup:

A good workman always cleans up after himself so..The following will implement some cleanup procedures as well as reset  System Restore points:

Run OTL
  • Under the Custom Scans/Fixes box at the bottom, paste in the following
    Quote
    :Commands
    [resethosts]
    [emptytemp]
    [CLEARALLRESTOREPOINTS]
     [Reboot]
  • Then click the Run Fix button at the top
  • Let the program run unhindered, reboot the PC when it is done
Run OTL and hit the cleanup button.  It will remove all the programmes we have used plus itself. 

: Keep Java Updated :

WARNING: Java is the #1 exploited program at this time. The Department of Homeland Security recommends that computer users disable Java
See this article and this article.
I would recommend that you completely uninstall Java unless you need it to run an important software.
In that instance I would recommend that you disable Java in your browsers until you need it for that software and then enable it. (See How to diasble Java in your web browser and How to unplug Java from the browser)

Now that you are clean, to help protect your computer in the future I recommend that you get the following free programmes:

Malwarebytes.

Update and run weekly to keep your system clean

Download and install FileHippo update checker and run it monthly it will show you which programmes on your system need updating and give a download link

If you use on-line banking then as an added layer of protection install Trusteer Rapport

It is critical to have both a firewall and anti virus to protect your system and to keep them updated. To keep your operating system up to date visit To learn more about how to protect yourself while on the internet read our little guide  How did I get infected in the first place ?Keep safe  :wave: