99% cpu, ntdll.dll, WININET

[Dave H]

I believe I have fixed my problem by following Warez Monsters 4(thousand) step guide! I'm going to make 3 posts in this thread.

The first will describe the problem I was having.
The second will describe the steps I took to fix it.
The third will be the HJT log.

I'm including the problem description because I believe it will help people to find this forum via Googling for their problem, like I did.

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:
When I started any program that may require web connection, (including Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer, or Help), my cpu usage would peg at 98%, 99%, or 100%. Quiting the program would have no effect. The only way to get my cpu back was to pull up Task Manager and kill the program.

I downloaded a great program called Process Explorer: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/Utilities/ProcessExplorer.mspx

By right clicking on the program eating cpu and selecting properties, I could see which thread was consuming the cpu. No matter which program I was running, it was always the same thread:

ntdll.dll!Rt|AllocateHeap+0x18c

When I check the stack of this thread when it is consuming cpu, I get:

ntoskrnl.exe!ExReleaseResourceLite+0x210
ntoskrnl.exe!RtlAppendUnicodeToString+0x2b8
hal.dll+0x2c35
WININET.dll!Ordinal103+0x359e
WININET.dll!Ordinal103+0x5884
WININET.dll!InternetTimeFromSystemTimeA+0xd2a4
WININET.dll!Ordinal103+0x4e35
WININET.dll!Ordinal103+0x545b
WININET.dll!Ordinal103+0x2cb4
WININET.dll!Ordinal103+0x48e4
ntdll.dll!RtlUpcaseUnicodeString+0x159
ntdll.dll!RtlUpcaseUnicodeString+0x197
ntdll.dll!RtlUpcaseUnicodeString+0x259
ntdll.dll!RtlUpcaseUnicodeString+0x230
kernel32.dll!GetModuleFileNameA+0x1b4

Where lines 2-4 can vary somewhat. When I kill this thread, I get my cpu back and everything seems fine until the next time I start the program. However, if I spawn a new window from a window that is working OK, it is also OK.

When I look at the stack when the process in not being naughty, I get:

ntoskrnl.exe!ExReleaseResourceLite+0x210
ntoskrnl.exe!RtlAppendUnicodeToString+0x2b8
ntoskrnl.exe!KeSaveFloatingPointState+0x363
ntoskrnl.exe!ProbeForWrite+0xbc
ntoskrnl.exe!ZwYieldExecution+0xb96
ntdll.dll!KiFastSystemCallRet
kernel32.dll!GetModuleFileNameA+0x1b4


Next post, I will try to document the fix process.

 

[Dave H]

Removal results

I downloaded all programs except Smith fraud Fix and Rootkit Revealer. (Turns out I needed Smith Fraud Fix).

Tried online scans, without luck:
trendmicro - Crashed (poofed) a couple of minutes after starting.
ca - Never could get passed the signature/ftp issue. Probaby a proxy problem, but no provision for adding proxy info.
tenebril - Can't remove any results w/o purchase.

Checked for offending programs: Clean.

Turned off extra entries in msconfig.

AdAware - Configured as advised and scanned. Found several criticals (sorry, didn't save them).
Spybot - Configured as advised and scanned. Found 4 issues, still finds the same 4:
************************************************
--- Search result list ---
Microsoft.WindowsSecurityCenter.FirewallDisabled: Settings (Registry change, nothing done)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\windowsfirewall\domainprofile\enablefirewall!=dword:1

Microsoft.WindowsSecurityCenter.FirewallDisabled: Settings (Registry change, nothing done)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\windowsfirewall\standardprofile\enablefirewall!=dword:1

Microsoft.WindowsSecurityCenter.SP2Update: Settings (Registry change, nothing done)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\DoNotAllowXPSP2!=dword:0

CasaleMedia: Tracking cookie (Internet Explorer: a0872668) (Cookie, nothing done)
************************************************

Ewido/AVS - First pass, scanned OK, no real problems. Second pass (after all other steps completed), locked up.

CCleaner - - Configured as advised. Runs forever, no progress. CPU is pegged at 100%; no ntdll.dll, but does have WININET lines in stack of offending process.

Cleanup! - Ran OK.

CWShredder - Ran OK

Smitfraudfix.cmd - Wasn't going to run this, since one of the thread entries on this site said it may cause more damage than it fixed. However, when I saw it addressed WININET issues, I downloaded and ran as advised.

FIXED! I believe it was one of the last 2 programs, and I'm pretty sure it was Smitfraudfix, even though the symptoms are nothing like those posted for Smith Fraud.

I tried running the whole process again. I can now run:
Trendmicro
CCleaner
But I have problems with Ewido/AVG, probably due to conflicts with one of the other AV/ASW programs installed after the first scan.

Next: HJT log.

 

[Dave H]

HJT Log

Please scan for any residual issues. See previous thread entries for background.

Because this is a company pc, I've replaced what might be sensitive info with (REMOVED). If this causes problems, let me know and I'll try reposting a full version, but I would prefer not to...
Thanks!

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 9:21:07 AM, on 12/29/2006
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:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Nhksrv.exe
C:\Program Files\Connected\AgentSrv.EXE
C:\Program Files\Malware Cleaners\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\guard.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\CYBERG~1\cgasvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\CYBERG~1\cgagent.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec AntiVirus\DefWatch.exe
C:\Program Files\netDeploy\Launcher\ndserv.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec AntiVirus\SavRoam.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec AntiVirus\Rtvscan.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\CCM\CLICOMP\RemCtrl\Wuser32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\CCM\CcmExec.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\VPTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Hardware\Mouse\point32.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\CYBERG~1\cgav.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\CYBERG~1\cgahelp.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_10\bin\jusched.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\wcescomm.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\rapimgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Connected\CBSysTray.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\CYBERG~1\cgahelp.exe
C:\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by (REMOVED)
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,AutoConfigURL = (REMOVED)
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = (REMOVED)
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MALWAR~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_10\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEToolbarHelper Class - {AE7CD045-E861-484f-8273-0445EE161910} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Adobe PDF - {47833539-D0C5-4125-9FA8-0819E2EAAC93} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [vptray] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\VPTray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [POINTER] point32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\System32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CgaViewer] C:\PROGRA~1\CYBERG~1\cgav.exe -check
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CgaHelper] C:\PROGRA~1\CYBERG~1\cgahelp.exe -check
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_10\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIModeChange] Ati2mdxx.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [H/PC Connection Agent] "C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\wcescomm.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpybotSD TeaTimer] C:\Program Files\Malware Cleaners\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Connected TaskBar Icon.LNK = C:\Program Files\Connected\CBSysTray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions present
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_10\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_10\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Create Mobile Favorite - {2EAF5BB1-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Create Mobile Favorite... - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
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
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\INTERN~1\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=https://my.ti.com/
O15 - Trusted Zone: ir.shareholder.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.ti.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.advancerx.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.aetna.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.bbrown.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.cigna.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.collegeboundfund.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.computershare.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.dell.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.deltadentalins.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.eway.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.fishersci.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.hcsc.net (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.iqnavigator.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.jtb-cwt.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.kaiserpermanente.org (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.linux.omap.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.mamsi.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.newark.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.pacificare.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.plms-edu.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.resources.hewitt.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.shi.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.ssi1.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.ti.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.ti.cwconnect.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.tiws.proactcorp.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.ubs.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.unitrode.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.vsp.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.webex.com (HKLM)
O16 - DPF: Concur Expense Applets - https://expense.itg.ti.com/Applets/cnqr2k3_ie.cab
O16 - DPF: {106E49CF-797A-11D2-81A2-00E02C015623} (AlternaTIFF ActiveX) - http://www.alternatiff.com/install/00/alttiff.cab
O16 - DPF: {215B8138-A3CF-44C5-803F-8226143CFC0A} (Trend Micro ActiveX Scan Agent 6.6) - http://housecall65.trendmicro.com/housecall/applet/html/native/x86/win32/activex/hcImpl.cab
O16 - DPF: {32305793-C19A-48E7-AD2F-D87FF7B264A4} (TenebrilSpywareScanner Control) - http://www.tenebril.com/assets/activeX/SpywareScannerV2.ocx
O16 - DPF: {4A3CBDDD-C4DC-4C38-B44F-704DAEF628AE} (PjAdoInfo3 Class) - https://psittl.itg.ti.com/updt/objects/pjclient.cab
O16 - DPF: {5ED80217-570B-4DA9-BF44-BE107C0EC166} (Windows Live Safety Center Base Module) - http://cdn.scan.safety.live.com/resource/download/scanner/wlscbase8460.cab
O16 - DPF: {62789780-B744-11D0-986B-00609731A21D} (Autodesk MapGuide ActiveX Control) - http://www.dot.pima.gov/gis/mapguide/viewer/ver65/mgaxctrl.cab
O16 - DPF: {63DF43C2-469A-41F3-B119-17B1ACE8BB34} (Sony SNC-RZ30 Image Viewer) - http://151.204.174.22/home/SonySncRz30View.cab
O16 - DPF: {745395C8-D0E1-4227-8586-624CA9A10A8D} (AxisMediaControl Class) - http://67.53.38.204//activex/AMC.cab
O16 - DPF: {7B297BFD-85E4-4092-B2AF-16A91B2EA103} (WScanCtl Class) - http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/webscan.cab
O16 - DPF: {917623D1-D8E5-11D2-BE8B-00104B06BDE3} (CamImage Class) - http://65.200.140.153/activex/AxisCamControl.cab
O16 - DPF: {A662DA7E-CCB7-4743-B71A-D817F6D575DF} (Autodesk DWF Viewer Control) - http://www.autodesk.com/global/expressviewer/installer/ExpressViewerSetup.cab
O16 - DPF: {E06E2E99-0AA1-11D4-ABA6-0060082AA75C} - https://tidemo2.webex.com/client/v_mywebex-t20-pso-ti/webex/ieatgpc.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: Domain = (REMOVED)
O17 - HKLM\Software\..\Telephony: DomainName = ent.ti.com
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: Domain = (REMOVED)
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: SearchList = (REMOVED)
O17 - HKLM\System\CS2\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: Domain = (REMOVED)
O17 - HKLM\System\CS2\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: SearchList = (REMOVED)
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: SearchList = (REMOVED)
O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\igfxsrvc.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: NavLogon - C:\WINDOWS\system32\NavLogon.dll
O23 - Service: Connected Agent Service (AgentSrv) - Connected Corporation - C:\Program Files\Connected\AgentSrv.EXE
O23 - Service: AVG Anti-Spyware Guard - Anti-Malware Development a.s. - C:\Program Files\Malware Cleaners\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\guard.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager (ccEvtMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Settings Manager (ccSetMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
O23 - Service: CyberGatekeeper Agent (CGAgent) - InfoExpress - C:\PROGRA~1\CYBERG~1\cgasvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec AntiVirus Definition Watcher (DefWatch) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec AntiVirus\DefWatch.exe
O23 - Service: DistRestart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\srvany.exe
O23 - Service: Hummingbird Inetd (HCLInetd) - Unknown owner - C:\WINNT\System32\Hummbird\inetd32.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Symantec\LIVEUP~1\LUCOMS~1.EXE
O23 - Service: ndserv - Open Software Associates Ltd. - C:\Program Files\netDeploy\Launcher\ndserv.exe
O23 - Service: Netropa NHK Server (Nhksrv) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\Nhksrv.exe
O23 - Service: SAVRoam (SavRoam) - symantec - C:\Program Files\Symantec AntiVirus\SavRoam.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec SPBBCSvc (SPBBCSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SPBBC\SPBBCSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec AntiVirus - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec AntiVirus\Rtvscan.exe

 

[Osiris]

I dont see anything bad. There were a lot of processes in their that I didnt recognize mainly because you are on a work pc so I left them alone. So everything is ok right?

 

[Dave H]

Fixed?

Yup, as far as I can tell, everything is working. At least, I have my CPU back...

Thanks for the help!

 

[Dave H]

There are a few I don't recognize and wanted better eyeballs on:

O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions present
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O9 - Extra button: Create Mobile Favorite - {2EAF5BB1-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Create Mobile Favorite... - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Shdocvw.dll
O23 - Service: DistRestart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\srvany.exeO23 - Service: Netropa NHK Server (Nhksrv) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\Nhksrv.exe

If you could confirm these are harmless, I would feel better...

Also, those items from the Spybot scan that are still showing up look pretty scary. Any opinion on why they won't go away?

 

[Osiris]

Nhksrv.exe = multimedia keyboards
Shdocvw.dll = Package and Deployment Wizard/ Microsoft Shell Doc Object and Control Library
REFIEBAR.DLL = Microsoft Office Research Assistant Module
INetRepl.dll = Microsoft Office

Remove these two entries below
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - <-- that can be removed, part of real networks

O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} -

This one below is either in place from Network Policies or Spyware
This entry can be deleted either way if you desire
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions present

This one below is ok
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present

What does Spybot find or is that what you posted?

 

[Dave H]

Yes, the Spybot results were buried in the second post, between the *'s. Here tis:

Spybot - Configured as advised and scanned. Found 4 issues, still finds the same 4:
************************************************
--- Search result list ---
Microsoft.WindowsSecurityCenter.FirewallDisabled: Settings (Registry change, nothing done)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\win
dowsfirewall\domainprofile\enablefirewall!=dword:1


Microsoft.WindowsSecurityCenter.FirewallDisabled: Settings (Registry change, nothing done)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\win
dowsfirewall\standardprofile\enablefirewall!=dword
:1

Microsoft.WindowsSecurityCenter.SP2Update: Settings (Registry change, nothing done)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Win
dows\WindowsUpdate\DoNotAllowXPSP2!=dword:0

CasaleMedia: Tracking cookie (Internet Explorer: a0872668) (Cookie, nothing done)
************************************************

After doing more research, I'm afraid they may be indicative of a bot/worm that takes advantage of "Microsoft Windows Server Service Buffer Overflow MS06-040"...

If I can't get Spybot to stop reporting the same errors, I'll probably wipe the machine anyway. After all this work...

 

[Osiris]

looks like you are good to go then