Topic: OT: SpywareQuake

[Scottish Andy]

Hi all, this nasty little b*stard managed to worm its way onto my laptop even past Norton, and I cannot get rid of it.

First, I took these steps:

1) Uninstalled it from Add/Remove Programs.

2) Ran SpyBot Search&Destroy twice - before a restart and right after

3) Ran Norton Antivirus (takes ages since I've got about 180,000 files...)

4) Tracked down and completely deleted all the SpywareQuake entries Norton pointed out but couldn't delete

5) Ran manual searches and deleted a few other components from my hard drive

This worked in getting most of it off, but there is still an icon that flashes in my system tray, alternating between a Accessibility icon (Green guy in a wheelchair) and the International Symbol for 'no' (red circle with red diagonal line though it). This icon keeps popping up a 'Critical system error' and  'your computer is infected' messages, and re-downloads the SpywareQake, which opens up a clickable antivirus-style program screen. If you click it, it takes you to a very professional looking website that tries to get you to buy it the 'full' program.

I've even deleted a 'vcodec' from C:\WINDOWS\system32\ncompat that Spybot can't get rid of itself, and still the damn thing keeps flashing at me.

Since then we've done countless other Spybot runs, and it won't go away. The only good thing is it seems to be stuck in my screen profile. It doesn't show up in my wife's profile, so I was considering erasing my entire profile. Are there any less drastic methods that don't involve DLing special antispyware progs?

Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated.

[Sethan]

From Symantec's writeup on this:

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/spywarequake.html

Type:    Other
   
Name:    SpywareQuake
Version:    2.0
Publisher:    spywarequake.com
   
Systems Affected:    Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows XP
   
   
Risk Impact:    Low

detection
# Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Plus)
   

March 29, 2006
# Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Daily)
   

March 29, 2006
# Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly)
   

March 29, 2006
# Definitions (Intelligent Updater)
   

March 29, 2006

This risk can be detected only by Symantec products that support security risks. For more information on security risks, please go here.

summary

Behavior
SpywareQuake is a Security Risk that is installed without user notification or consent by a Trojan.

Symptoms
One or more files detected as SpywareQuake.

Transmission
This risk is commonly downloaded by Trojans, but may also be manually installed.

technical details
File names:
%UserProfile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\SpywareQuake 2.0.lnk
%UserProfile%\Desktop\SpywareQuake.lnk
%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Temp\SQLanguage.ini
%UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\SpywareQuake\SpywareQuake 2.0 Website.lnk
%UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\SpywareQuake\SpywareQuake 2.0.lnk
%UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\SpywareQuake\Uninstall SpywareQuake 2.0.lnk
%UserProfile%\Start Menu\SpywareQuake 2.0.lnk
%ProgramFiles%\SpywareQuake\blacklist.txt
%ProgramFiles%\SpywareQuake\Lang\English.ini
%ProgramFiles%\SpywareQuake\msvcp71.dll
%ProgramFiles%\SpywareQuake\msvcr71.dll
%ProgramFiles%\SpywareQuake\ref.dat
%ProgramFiles%\SpywareQuake\SpywareQuake.exe
%ProgramFiles%\SpywareQuake\SpywareQuake.url
%ProgramFiles%\SpywareQuake\uninst.exe


When SpywareQuake is installed, it performs the following actions:

   1. Creates the following files:

          * %UserProfile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\SpywareQuake 2.0.lnk
          * %UserProfile%\Desktop\SpywareQuake.lnk
          * %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Temp\SQLanguage.ini
          * %UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\SpywareQuake\SpywareQuake 2.0 Website.lnk
          * %UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\SpywareQuake\SpywareQuake 2.0.lnk
          * %UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\SpywareQuake\Uninstall SpywareQuake 2.0.lnk
          * %UserProfile%\Start Menu\SpywareQuake 2.0.lnk
          * %ProgramFiles%\SpywareQuake\blacklist.txt
          * %ProgramFiles%\SpywareQuake\Lang\English.ini
          * %ProgramFiles%\SpywareQuake\msvcp71.dll
          * %ProgramFiles%\SpywareQuake\msvcr71.dll
          * %ProgramFiles%\SpywareQuake\ref.dat
          * %ProgramFiles%\SpywareQuake\SpywareQuake.exe
          * %ProgramFiles%\SpywareQuake\SpywareQuake.url
          * %ProgramFiles%\SpywareQuake\uninst.exe

            Note:
          * %UserProfile% is a variable that refers to the current user's profile folder. By default, this is C:\Documents and Settings\[CURRENT USER] (Windows NT/2000/XP).
          * %ProgramFiles% is a variable that refers to the program files folder. By default, this is C:\Program Files.

   2. Creates the following registry subkeys:

      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{5B55C4E3-C179-BA0B-B4FD-F2DB862D6202}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{189518DF-7EBA-4D31-A7E1-73B5BB60E8D5}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{23D627FE-3F02-44CF-9EE1-7B9E44BD9E13}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{43CFEFBE-8AE4-400E-BBE4-A2B61BB140FB}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{5790B963-23C5-43C1-BCF5-01C9B5A3E44E}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{5D42DDF4-81EB-4668-9951-819A1D5BEFC8}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{76D06077-D5D3-40CA-B32D-6A67A7FF3F06}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{86C7E6C3-EC47-44E5-AA08-EE0D0A25895F}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{9283DAC1-43F5-4580-BF86-841F22AF2335}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{AE90CAFC-09D4-47F0-9E11-CE621C424F08}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{BA397E39-F67F-423F-BC6E-65939450093A}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{BEC8A83D-01D4-4F15-B8A9-4B4AB24253A7}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{C4EEDC19-992D-409A-B323-ED57D511AFA5}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{DD90F677-D205-4F70-9014-659614AABCB2}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{E3DF91F3-F24F-441E-9001-D61F36024322}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{F459EADB-5903-48D5-864C-2B7B46AB1424}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{FC4EDF66-0547-4F1A-AE96-7CFCAD711C90}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{661173EE-FA31-4769-97D4-B556B5D09BDA}
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\SpywareQuake.exe
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SpywareQuake
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SpywareQuake

   3. Adds the value:

      "SpywareQuake" = "%ProgramFiles%\SpywareQuake\SpywareQuake.exe /h"

      to the registry subkey

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

      so that it runs every time Windows starts.


removal instructions

The following instructions pertain to all Symantec antivirus products that support security risk detection.

   1. Update the definitions.
   2. Uninstall the security risk.
   3. Run the scan.
   4. Delete any values added to the registry.


For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. To update the definitions
To obtain the most recent definitions, start your Symantec program and run LiveUpdate.

2. To uninstall the security risk
This security risk includes an uninstallation applet. In order to uninstall this security risk, complete the following instructions:

   1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel or Start > Control Panel (this varies with the operating system).

   2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add/Remove Programs.

      Windows Me only: If you do not see the Add/Remove Programs icon, click ...view all Control Panel options.

   3. Click "SpywareQuake 2.0"

      Note: You may need to use the scroll bar to view the whole list.

   4. Click Add/Remove, Change/Remove, or Remove (this varies with the operating system). Follow the prompts.

      Note: After running the Add/Remove programs applet, all the files may have been removed. You will want to run a full system scan to ensure that this is the case. However, it is possible that no files will be detected after using Add/Remove programs.


3. To run the scan

   1. Start your Symantec antivirus program, and then run a full system scan.
   2. If any files are detected, and depending on which software version you are using, you may see one or more of the following options:

      Note: This applies only to versions of Norton AntiVirus that support security risk detection. If you are running a version of Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition that supports security risk detection, and security risk detection has been enabled, you will only see a message box that gives the results of the scan. If you have questions in this situation, contact your network administrator.
          * Exclude (Not recommended): If you click this button, it will set the risk so that it is no longer detectable. That is, the antivirus program will keep the security risk on your computer and will no longer detect it to remove from your computer.

          * Ignore or Skip: This option tells the scanner to ignore the risk for this scan only. It will be detected again the next time that you run a scan.

          * Cancel: This option is new to Norton Antivirus 2005. It is used when Norton Antivirus 2005 has determined that it cannot delete a security risk. This Cancel option tells the scanner to ignore the risk for this scan only, and thus, the risk will be detected again the next time that you run a scan.

            To actually delete the security risk:
                o Click its file name (under the Filename column).
                o In the Item Information box that displays, write down the full path and file name.
                o Then use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the file.

          * Delete: This option will attempt to delete the detected files. In some cases, the scanner will not be able to do this.
                o If you see a message, "Delete Failed" (or similar message), manually delete the file.
                o Click the file name of the risk that is under the Filename column.
                o In the Item Information box that displays, write down the full path and file name.
                o Then use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the file.

Important: If you are unable to start your Symantec antivirus product or the product reports that it cannot delete a detected file, you may need to stop the risk from running in order to remove it. To do this, run the scan in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document, How to start the computer in Safe Mode. Once you have restarted in Safe mode, run the scan again.

After the files are deleted, restart the computer in Normal mode and proceed with the next section.

Warning messages may be displayed when the computer is restarted, since the risk may not be fully removed at this point. You can ignore these messages and click OK. These messages will not appear when the computer is restarted after the removal instructions have been fully completed. The messages displayed may be similar to the following:

Title: [FILE PATH]
Message body: Windows cannot find [FILE NAME]. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search.


4. To delete the value from the registry
Important: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before making any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify the specified subkeys only. Read the document: How to make a backup of the Windows registry.

   1. Click Start > Run.
   2. Type regedit

      Then click OK.

      Note: If the registry editor fails to open the risk may have modified the registry to prevent access to the registry editor. Security Response has developed a tool (http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/tool.to.reset.shellopencommand.registry.keys.html) to resolve this problem. Download and run this tool, and then continue with the removal.

   3. Navigate to the subkey:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

   4. In the right pane, delete the value:

      "SpywareQuake" = "%ProgramFiles%\SpywareQuake\SpywareQuake.exe /h"

   5. Navigate to and delete the following registry subkeys:

      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{5B55C4E3-C179-BA0B-B4FD-F2DB862D6202}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{189518DF-7EBA-4D31-A7E1-73B5BB60E8D5}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{23D627FE-3F02-44CF-9EE1-7B9E44BD9E13}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{43CFEFBE-8AE4-400E-BBE4-A2B61BB140FB}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{5790B963-23C5-43C1-BCF5-01C9B5A3E44E}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{5D42DDF4-81EB-4668-9951-819A1D5BEFC8}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{76D06077-D5D3-40CA-B32D-6A67A7FF3F06}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{86C7E6C3-EC47-44E5-AA08-EE0D0A25895F}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{9283DAC1-43F5-4580-BF86-841F22AF2335}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{AE90CAFC-09D4-47F0-9E11-CE621C424F08}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{BA397E39-F67F-423F-BC6E-65939450093A}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{BEC8A83D-01D4-4F15-B8A9-4B4AB24253A7}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{C4EEDC19-992D-409A-B323-ED57D511AFA5}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{DD90F677-D205-4F70-9014-659614AABCB2}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{E3DF91F3-F24F-441E-9001-D61F36024322}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{F459EADB-5903-48D5-864C-2B7B46AB1424}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{FC4EDF66-0547-4F1A-AE96-7CFCAD711C90}
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{661173EE-FA31-4769-97D4-B556B5D09BDA}
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\SpywareQuake.exe
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SpywareQuake
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SpywareQuake

   6. Exit the Registry Editor.

[KBF-Crim]

Now THAT is service....Excellent job Seth!

[Scottish Andy]

Wow, thanks Sethan!

[Sethan]

No problem - this is what I do for a living.