Virus/Trojan/Ad/Spy/Malware that modifies hosts file when any program is run?

[jonfaquit]

Does anyone know of a virus/trojan/adware/etc... that modifies the
\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts file on ANY program that you run?
We're using zonelab pro with the "OS firewall" enabled but every time
you try to run an application, it tells you that [application name] is
trying to modify the hosts file. This happens with all applications. We
have nod32 and during an in-depth analysis we got rid of 144 threats
, but it seems like there's something it didn't get.

Thing is, the hosts file remains the same (with just the single
localhost entry pointing to 127.0.0.1) whether we allow or deny the
action.

 

[Vinzenz Feenstra]

Does anyone know of a virus/trojan/adware/etc... that modifies the
\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts file on ANY program that you run?
We're using zonelab pro with the "OS firewall" enabled but every time
you try to run an application, it tells you that [application name] is
trying to modify the hosts file. This happens with all applications. We
have nod32 and during an in-depth analysis we got rid of 144 threats
, but it seems like there's something it didn't get.

Thing is, the hosts file remains the same (with just the single
localhost entry pointing to 127.0.0.1) whether we allow or deny the
action.

There are a few if not even many threats that change the hosts file. But
there are also regular programs that keeping an eye of the info in
there. For example ewido 3.5 did this (which is an Anti-Malware Software)

I recommend you to scan your computer with several av/as/at/am software
(there are many trial versions available so it would cost you only the
time to download the software)

On the other hand, to be really secure you should backup your documents
and files (non-executables) which you still need and set up your pc
completely.
You have found about 144 threats, and *no* anti-* program is abled to
find everything.

Regards,
Vinzenz

--
Regards,
Vinzenz Feenstra

And now visit my WeBlog < http://blog.evilissimo.net >
Try ewido anti-spyware 4.0 now - http://www.ewido.net

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: <[email protected]>

| Does anyone know of a virus/trojan/adware/etc... that modifies the
| \windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts file on ANY program that you run?
| We're using zonelab pro with the "OS firewall" enabled but every time
| you try to run an application, it tells you that [application name] is
| trying to modify the hosts file. This happens with all applications. We
| have nod32 and during an in-depth analysis we got rid of 144 threats
| , but it seems like there's something it didn't get.
|
| Thing is, the hosts file remains the same (with just the single
| localhost entry pointing to 127.0.0.1) whether we allow or deny the
| action.

Too many to give an answer. Altering the the etc/hots file is common practice now.



If you are using any version of Sun Java that is prior to JRE Version 5.0,
then you are strongly urged to remove any/all versions that are prior to JRE/JSE
Version 5.0. There are vulnerabilities in them and they are actively being exploited.
It is possible that is how you got infected with malware.

Therefore, it is highly suggested that if there are any prior versions of Sun Java
to Version 5 on the PC that they be removed and Sun Java JRE/JSE Version 5.0 Update 7
be installed ASAP.

Simple check, look under...
C:\Program Files\Java

The only folder under that folder should be the latest version...

C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_07


http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp



For non-viral malware...

Please download, install and update the following software...

* Ad-aware SE v1.06
http://www.lavasoft.de/
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
http://www.lavasoft.de/ms/index.htm

* SpyBot Search and Destroy v1.4
http://security.kolla.de/
http://www.safer-networking.org/microsoft.en.html

* SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html

After the software is updated, I suggest scanning the system in Safe Mode.

I also suggest downloading, installing and updating BHODemon for any Browser Helper Objects
that may be on the PC.

* BHODemon

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloadget.php?id=3550&file=11&evp=245a87539eea8ed6904332b4b8b8442d

For viral malware...

* Download MULTI_AV.EXE from the URL --
http://www.ik-cs.com/programs/virtools/Multi_AV.exe

To use this utility, perform the following...
Execute; Multi_AV.exe { Note: You must use the default folder C:\AV-CLS }
Choose; Unzip
Choose; Close

Execute; C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT
{ or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS }

NOTE: You may have to disable your software FireWall or allow WGET.EXE to go through your
FireWall to allow it to download the needed AV vendor related files.

C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT -- { or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS}
This will bring up the initial menu of choices and should be executed in Normal Mode.
This way all the components can be downloaded from each AV vendor's web site.
The choices are; Sophos, Trend, McAfee, Kaspersky, Exit this menu and Reboot the PC.

You can choose to go to each menu item and just download the needed files or you can
download the files and perform a scan in Normal Mode. Once you have downloaded the files
needed for each scanner you want to use, you should reboot the PC into Safe Mode [F8 key
during boot] and re-run the menu again and choose which scanner you want to run in Safe
Mode. It is suggested to run the scanners in both Safe Mode and Normal Mode.

When the menu is displayed hitting 'H' or 'h' will bring up a more comprehensive PDF help
file. http://www.ik-cs.com/multi-av.htm

Additional Instructions:
http://pcdid.com/Multi_AV.htm


* * * Please report back your results * * *

 

[jonfaquit]

From: <[email protected]>

| Does anyone know of a virus/trojan/adware/etc... that modifies the
| \windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts file on ANY program that you run?
| We're using zonelab pro with the "OS firewall" enabled but every time
| you try to run an application, it tells you that [application name] is
| trying to modify the hosts file. This happens with all applications. We
| have nod32 and during an in-depth analysis we got rid of 144 threats
| , but it seems like there's something it didn't get.
|
| Thing is, the hosts file remains the same (with just the single
| localhost entry pointing to 127.0.0.1) whether we allow or deny the
| action.

Too many to give an answer. Altering the the etc/hots file is common practice now.



If you are using any version of Sun Java that is prior to JRE Version 5.0,
then you are strongly urged to remove any/all versions that are prior to JRE/JSE
Version 5.0. There are vulnerabilities in them and they are actively being exploited.
It is possible that is how you got infected with malware.

Therefore, it is highly suggested that if there are any prior versions of Sun Java
to Version 5 on the PC that they be removed and Sun Java JRE/JSE Version 5.0 Update 7
be installed ASAP.

Simple check, look under...
C:\Program Files\Java

The only folder under that folder should be the latest version...

C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_07


http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp



For non-viral malware...

Please download, install and update the following software...

* Ad-aware SE v1.06
http://www.lavasoft.de/
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
http://www.lavasoft.de/ms/index.htm

* SpyBot Search and Destroy v1.4
http://security.kolla.de/
http://www.safer-networking.org/microsoft.en.html

* SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html

After the software is updated, I suggest scanning the system in Safe Mode.

I also suggest downloading, installing and updating BHODemon for any Browser Helper Objects
that may be on the PC.

* BHODemon

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloadget.php?id=3550&file=11&evp=245a87539eea8ed6904332b4b8b8442d

For viral malware...

* Download MULTI_AV.EXE from the URL --
http://www.ik-cs.com/programs/virtools/Multi_AV.exe

To use this utility, perform the following...
Execute; Multi_AV.exe { Note: You must use the default folder C:\AV-CLS }
Choose; Unzip
Choose; Close

Execute; C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT
{ or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS }

NOTE: You may have to disable your software FireWall or allow WGET.EXE to go through your
FireWall to allow it to download the needed AV vendor related files.

C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT -- { or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS}
This will bring up the initial menu of choices and should be executed in Normal Mode.
This way all the components can be downloaded from each AV vendor's web site.
The choices are; Sophos, Trend, McAfee, Kaspersky, Exit this menu and Reboot the PC.

You can choose to go to each menu item and just download the needed files or you can
download the files and perform a scan in Normal Mode. Once you have downloaded the files
needed for each scanner you want to use, you should reboot the PC into Safe Mode [F8 key
during boot] and re-run the menu again and choose which scanner you want to run in Safe
Mode. It is suggested to run the scanners in both Safe Mode and Normal Mode.

When the menu is displayed hitting 'H' or 'h' will bring up a more comprehensive PDF help
file. http://www.ik-cs.com/multi-av.htm

Additional Instructions:
http://pcdid.com/Multi_AV.htm


* * * Please report back your results * * *

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions and tips. Will definitely
let you guys know what happens. My computer stays clean...have never
had a virus. But I'm the guy friends call on when they have problems
and just thought, install nod32 do a scan and that'll be it, but I
guess there's more to it.