IE Address Bar hijacked by http://s5.th.msie.cc/ index.php (CWShredder.exe)

[sensoui]

I have recently fixed a coolwebsearch hijack that hijacks my start page. What I didn't realize is that it had also hijacked my address bar in IE. What I mean is that at times when I type a URL in the IE address bar, even though it is a legit url (i.e., cnn.com) it redirects me to http://s5.th.msie.cc/index.php :cry:. and when a url is non existent it should redirect me to the msn search page but lo and behold, I came back to this site. I tried to search the net for solutions (like changing key IE registry entries and running Ad-aware, Spybot S&D, & CWShredder.exe) but all of these didn't work.

Here is the HJT log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 12:41:59 PM, on 5/1/2004
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

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:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\WindowBlinds\wbload.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Executive Software\Diskeeper\DkService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\inetsrv\inetinfo.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL\Binn\sqlservr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\SM1BG.EXE
C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.5.0\bin\jusched.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\A4Tech\Mouse\Amoumain.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\Fast Launcher\fl.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Distillr\AcroTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\80\Tools\Binn\sqlmangr.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\AdvTools\NPROTECT.EXE
C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\3M\PSNotes\psn.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\3M\PSNotes\PSNGive.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\SAVScan.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio .NET\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\Trillian\trillian.exe
C:\totalcmd\TOTALCMD.EXE
C:\Program Files\EditPlus 2\editplus.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
D:\GianShared\My Tools\HijackThis.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://g.msn.com/0SEENUS/SAOS10
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = about:blank
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://search.yahoo.com/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = about:blank
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = about:blank
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\ycomp5_3_12_0.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {601ED020-FB6C-11D3-87D8-0050DA59922B} - C:\Program Files\WS_FTP Pro\wsbho2K0.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {A5366673-E8CA-11D3-9CD9-0090271D075B} - C:\PROGRA~1\FlashGet\jccatch.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: FlashGet Bar - {E0E899AB-F487-11D5-8D29-0050BA6940E3} - C:\PROGRA~1\FlashGet\fgiebar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Yahoo! Companion - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\ycomp5_3_12_0.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Advanced Tools Check] C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\AdvTools\ADVCHK.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SM1BG] C:\WINDOWS\SM1BG.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.5.0\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Cmaudio] RunDll32 cmicnfg.cpl,CMICtrlWnd
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CM-SmWizard] C:\WINDOWS\System\SmWizard.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WheelMouse] C:\PROGRA~1\A4Tech\Mouse\Amoumain.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [FastLauncher] C:\Program Files\Fast Launcher\fl.exe
O4 - Startup: BHO Cop.lnk = C:\Program Files\BHOCop\BHOCop.exe
O4 - Startup: Post-it® Software Notes.lnk = C:\Program Files\3M\PSNotes\psn.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Acrobat Assistant.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Distillr\AcroTray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Service Manager.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\80\Tools\Binn\sqlmangr.exe
O4 - Global Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download All by FlashGet - C:\Program Files\FlashGet\jc_all.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download using FlashGet - C:\Program Files\FlashGet\jc_link.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Yahoo! Dictionary - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycdict.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Yahoo! Search - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycsrch.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Yahoo! Messenger (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: Research (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: AIM (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: ICQ 4.0 (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ICQ Lite (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: FlashGet (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &FlashGet (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: @C:\Program Files\Messenger\Msgslang.dll,-61144 (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @C:\Program Files\Messenger\Msgslang.dll,-61144 (HKLM)
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: {30528230-99F7-4BB4-88D8-FA1D4F56A2AB} (YInstStarter Class) - http://download.yahoo.com/dl/installs/yinst0401.cab
O16 - DPF: {A17E30C4-A9BA-11D4-8673-60DB54C10000} (YahooYMailTo Class) - http://us.dl1.yimg.com/download.yahoo.com/dl/installs/yse/ymmapi_416.dll
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{BA0A7472-B813-4DC9-838C-0328246CD3E9}: NameServer = 202.81.160.6 202.81.160.7

[crunchie]

Close all (browser) windows & rescan with hijackthis. When the scan is finished place a check in the box to the left of the following entries=

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = about:blank
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = about:blank

[sensoui]

Thanks for taking time on this! I tried your advice but to no avail, it didn't work :sad:. I noticed that when I typed an invalid url (i.e., nonexsistentsite.com) at first it would go to http://auto.search.msn.com/response.asp?MT=nonexistensite.com&srch=3&prov=utf8 but then in a split second I would be redirected to the site http://s5.th.msie.cc/index.php. Then there where those random instances that it would completely hijack my valid url then redirects me to that site.

Close all (browser) windows & rescan with hijackthis. When the scan is finished place a check in the box to the left of the following entries=

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = about:blank
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = about:blank

[crunchie]

Ok. Please do the following & we will see if we can get it sorted for you.
Download CWShredder from here & run it. Select the fix button & it will get rid of everything related to CoolWebSearch in it's database. Close ALL windows, including IE, before running CWShredder.

To help prevent this from happening again, install the patches for the vulnerabilities that this hijacker exploits by going here for your critical updates.

Reboot after doing this & post another log please.

[sensoui]

Thanks again for the quick reply :). I followed your instructions to the very detail:

- Downloaded the CWShredder
- Ran the CWShredder.exe and pressed the fix button.
- downloaded every critical and IE related item in the Windows Update site.

Afterwhich I tried it again but the results did not change. I am still being redirected to the http://s5.th.msie.cc/index.php site. also I noticed there are three things that happen when I type something on the Address bar:

- First is that it goes to the msn search site
[img]http://www.geocities.com/sensoui/EIHijack001.jpg[/img]- secondly, it goes to the yahoo search site.
[img]http://www.geocities.com/sensoui/IEhijack002.jpg[/img]- then finaly it gets hijacked and redirects me to the http://s5.th.msie.cc/index.php site
[img]http://www.geocities.com/sensoui/IEHijack003.jpg[/img]
I screen captured what happens and below is the link:

http://www.geocities.com/sensoui/

below is the log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 2:55:21 AM, on 5/2/2004
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

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:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Executive Software\Diskeeper\DkService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\inetsrv\inetinfo.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL\Binn\sqlservr.exe
C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\WindowBlinds\wbload.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\AdvTools\NPROTECT.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\SAVScan.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\SM1BG.EXE
C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.5.0\bin\jusched.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\A4Tech\Mouse\Amoumain.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Fast Launcher\fl.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Distillr\AcroTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\80\Tools\Binn\sqlmangr.exe
C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
C:\Program Files\EarthView\EarthView.exe
C:\Program Files\3M\PSNotes\psn.exe
C:\Program Files\WallpaperToy\Wallpapertoy.Exe
C:\PROGRA~1\3M\PSNotes\PSNGive.exe
C:\totalcmd\TOTALCMD.EXE
C:\Program Files\Winamp\winamp.exe
C:\Program Files\Trillian\trillian.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
D:\GianShared\My Tools\HijackThis.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://g.msn.com/0SEENUS/SAOS10
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://search.yahoo.com/
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\ycomp5_3_12_0.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {601ED020-FB6C-11D3-87D8-0050DA59922B} - C:\Program Files\WS_FTP Pro\wsbho2K0.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {A5366673-E8CA-11D3-9CD9-0090271D075B} - C:\PROGRA~1\FlashGet\jccatch.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: FlashGet Bar - {E0E899AB-F487-11D5-8D29-0050BA6940E3} - C:\PROGRA~1\FlashGet\fgiebar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Yahoo! Companion - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\ycomp5_3_12_0.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Advanced Tools Check] C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\AdvTools\ADVCHK.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SM1BG] C:\WINDOWS\SM1BG.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.5.0\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Cmaudio] RunDll32 cmicnfg.cpl,CMICtrlWnd
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CM-SmWizard] C:\WINDOWS\System\SmWizard.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WheelMouse] C:\PROGRA~1\A4Tech\Mouse\Amoumain.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [FastLauncher] C:\Program Files\Fast Launcher\fl.exe
O4 - Startup: BHO Cop.lnk = C:\Program Files\BHOCop\BHOCop.exe
O4 - Startup: EarthView.lnk = C:\Program Files\EarthView\EarthView.exe
O4 - Startup: Post-it® Software Notes.lnk = C:\Program Files\3M\PSNotes\psn.exe
O4 - Startup: Wallpaper Changer.lnk = C:\Program Files\WallpaperToy\Wallpapertoy.Exe
O4 - Global Startup: Acrobat Assistant.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Distillr\AcroTray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Service Manager.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\80\Tools\Binn\sqlmangr.exe
O4 - Global Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download All by FlashGet - C:\Program Files\FlashGet\jc_all.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download using FlashGet - C:\Program Files\FlashGet\jc_link.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Yahoo! Dictionary - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycdict.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Yahoo! Search - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycsrch.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Yahoo! Messenger (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: Research (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: AIM (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: ICQ 4.0 (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ICQ Lite (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: FlashGet (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &FlashGet (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: @C:\Program Files\Messenger\Msgslang.dll,-61144 (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @C:\Program Files\Messenger\Msgslang.dll,-61144 (HKLM)
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: {30528230-99F7-4BB4-88D8-FA1D4F56A2AB} (YInstStarter Class) - http://download.yahoo.com/dl/installs/yinst0401.cab
O16 - DPF: {A17E30C4-A9BA-11D4-8673-60DB54C10000} (YahooYMailTo Class) - http://us.dl1.yimg.com/download.yahoo.com/dl/installs/yse/ymmapi_416.dll
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{BA0A7472-B813-4DC9-838C-0328246CD3E9}: NameServer = 210.23.234.33 210.23.234.65

Ok. Please do the following & we will see if we can get it sorted for you.
Download CWShredder from here & run it. Select the fix button & it will get rid of everything related to CoolWebSearch in it's database. Close ALL windows, including IE, before running CWShredder.

To help prevent this from happening again, install the patches for the vulnerabilities that this hijacker exploits by going here

Reboot after doing this & post another log please.

for your critical updates.

[crunchie]

Download the following application & unzip it & follow the instructions for installation then see if you still get redirected.
http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/resource.htm

You can also first go to your *hosts* file & delete everything in it & see if you still get redirected. There is nothing in your log to point to anything.

[sensoui]

I downloaded the filters there and applied it to IE but the darn things still keeps hijacking my addresses. Anyway, this seems to be a stupid question but I'll ask it anyway, what are you referring to as "*hosts* file" :cheesy:

Download the following application & unzip it & follow the instructions for installation then see if you still get redirected.
http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/resource.htm

You can also first go to your *hosts* file & delete everything in it & see if you still get redirected. There is nothing in your log to point to anything.

[crunchie]

On your computer there is a *hosts* file where URL's are stored. If some piece of malware/spyware adds an entry there, you can then be redirected to a site, or denied access to a site. Search on your comp for *hosts* & when found delete the entier contents. Then reinstall the other program over the top.

[Lorenzo]

I downloaded the filters there and applied it to IE but the darn things still keeps hijacking my addresses. Anyway, this seems to be a stupid question but I'll ask it anyway, what are you referring to as "*hosts* file" :cheesy:

When you will find a way to clean your IE from this damned problem, please email me how to do it, because i'm having the same problem since 1 month. I'm trying everything since 1 month but no way.
Email me at: [e-mail]

thanks in advance.

[Killer_Typo]

hosts file is located at (win xp that is)

C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\

look for a file called host and open with notepad, make sure the only entry not commented (comments are lines started with a # symbol) is

127.0.0.1 localhost

if there is anything else, delete it.