Solved COM Surrogate problem and dllhost.exe overload

[AnTREXon]

Hi,

I'm struggling with the COM surrogate problem where it pops up 3-4+ DLLhost.exe windows and they then clog down the system and eventually crash

I'm on Win 8.1 with the latest updates from Microsoft and not sure what triggered it. Although I was in South Korea at that time and it was actually during that hack attack that they experienced allegedly from North Korea.
Not sure if it's related though as the only thing I was doing is playing Korean online games.

Any help would be highly appreciated

Anton

 

[argus]

Helllo,

Before we begin, please note the following:

• I will working be on your Malware issues, this may or may not, solve other issues you have with your machine.
• The logs can take some time to research, so please be patient with me.
• Stay with the topic until I tell you that your system is clean. Missing symptoms does not mean that everything is okay.
• Instructions that I give are for your system only!
• Please do not run any tools until requested ! The reason for this is so I know what is going on with the machine at any time. Some programs can interfere with others and hamper the recovery process.
• Please perform all steps in the order received. If you can't understand something don't hesitate to ask.
• Again I would like to remind you to make no further changes to your computer unless I direct you to do so. I will not help you if you do not follow my instructions.

Download

Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit to your desktop.

• Double-click the icon to start the tool.
• It will ask you where to extract it, then it will start.
• Warning! Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit needs to be run from an account with administrator rights.
• Click in the introduction screen "next" to continue.
• Click in the following screen "Update" to obtain the latest malware definitions.
• Once the update is complete select "Next" and click "Scan".
• When the scan is finished and no malware has been found select "Exit".
• If malware was detected, make sure to check all the items and click "Cleanup". Reboot your computer.
• Open the MBAR folder and paste the content of the following files in your next reply:
  • "mbar-log-{date} (xx-xx-xx).txt"
  • "system-log.txt"

Scan with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool
Please re-run Farbar Recovery Scan Tool to give me a fresh look at your system.

• Right-click on
  
  icon and select
  
  Run as Administrator to start the tool.
  (XP users click run after receipt of Windows Security Warning - Open File).
• Make sure that Addition option is checked.
• Press Scan button and wait.
• The tool will produce two logfiles on your desktop: FRST.txt and Addition.txt.

Please include their content into your next reply.

 

[AnTREXon]

Hi

Here are the files requested

Thank you

 

[argus]

Fix with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool

This fix was created for this user for use on that particular machine.

Running it on another one may cause damage and render the system unstable.

​

Download attached fixlist.txt file and save it to the Desktop:

Both files, FRST and fixlist.txt have to be in the same location or the fix will not work!

• Right-click on
  
  icon and select
  
  Run as Administrator to start the tool.
  (XP users click run after receipt of Windows Security Warning - Open File).
• Press the Fix button just once and wait.
• If for some reason the tool needs a restart, please make sure you let the system restart normally. After that let the tool complete its run.
• When finished FRST will generate a log on the Desktop, called Fixlog.txt.

Please attach it to your reply.

 

[AnTREXon]

Hi Argus

Thanks for a quick reply.

I copied the file into the same folder as the tool and ran it as administrator and it did something at first, but then gave me an error and said:
Line 9871 (File: "C:\users\Tony\Desktop\FSRT64.exe"):
Error in expression.

it also didn't remove the COM surrogate, it still pops up

what should I do?

Thanks!

 

[argus]

Delete FRST andn dowmnoad now FRST.
Click scan

 

[AnTREXon]

Hi!

I erased the old FRST 64 and re-downloaded it again.
Scanned the files and here are the txt logs

 

[argus]

I do not see active malware.

 

[AnTREXon]

Hi Argus,

I rebooted my computer just to test and com surrogate/dll host.exe starts even before any other app. Within 2-3 minutes it uses 1gb of ram and after that my PC slows down to about 50% of speed.
It then crashes after about 20 mins.
Even if I force close it, it reopens within 5 minutes

 

[argus]

Scan with TDSSKiller

Please download TDSSKiller by Kaspersky and save it to your desktop.

• Right-click on
  
  icon and select
  
  Run as Administrator to start the tool.
• Click on Change parameters and put a checkmark beside Loaded modules. A reboot will be needed to apply the changes, allow it to do so.
• Your machine may appear very slow and unusable after that - it's normal.
• TDSSKiller will run automaticaly. Click on Change parameters and click OK.
• Click the Start Scan button and wait patiently.

If anything will be found follow this guidelines:

• If a suspicious object is detected, the default action will be Skip, click on Continue.
• If malicious objects are found, they will show in the Scan results - Select action for found objects and offer three options.
  Ensure Cure (default) is selected, then click Continue > Reboot now to finish the cleaning process.
  If Cure is not available, please choose Skip instead.
• Do not choose Delete unless instructed!

A report will be created in your root directory, (usually C:\ drive) in the form of TDSSKiller.[Version]_[Date]_[Time]_log.txt. Please include the contents of that file in your next post.

 

[AnTREXon]

Hi Argus

Sorry for the delay, I was having trouble locating the log file, it was hidden for some reason.
here it is

Thanks in advance

 

[argus]

Make a Screen Shot of Task Manager that shows problematic process.

 

[AnTREXon]

Hi

Here they are
one of the screenshots shows the crash window that occurs every 10 mins
one shows what happens afterward or when I start the computer
and the last shows how quickly it escalates a minute later and starts using 1+gb of ram

 

[AnTREXon]

It's the one called COM Surrogate

 

[argus]

Remove Farbrar.

Scan with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool

Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your desktop.

Note: You need to run the version compatibale with your system. If you are not sure which version applies to your system download both of them and try to run them.
Only one of them will run on your system, that will be the right version.

• Double-click to run it. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
• Press Scan button.
• It will make a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please attach it to your reply.
• The first time the tool is run, it makes also another log (Addition.txt). Please attach it to your reply.

 

[AnTREXon]

Hi

This is the new version after erasing and redownloading FRST
I rebooted my computer before doing this

 

[argus]

System is clean, Poveliks is gone.

Scan with Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and save it to your desktop.

• Install the progam and select update.
• Once updated, click the Settings tab, in the left panel choose Detection & Protection and tick Scan for rootkits.
• Click the Scan tab, choose Threat Scan is checked and click Scan Now.
• If threats are detected, click the Apply Actions button. You will now be prompted to reboot. Click Yes.
• Upon completion of the scan (or after the reboot), click the History tab.
• Click Application Logs and double-click the Scan Log.
• At the bottom click Export and choose Text file.

Save the file to your desktop and include its content in your next reply.

 

[argus]

Then:

Fix with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool

This fix was created for this user for use on that particular machine.

Running it on another one may cause damage and render the system unstable.

​

Download attached fixlist.txt file and save it to the Desktop:

Both files, FRST and fixlist.txt have to be in the same location or the fix will not work!

• Right-click on
  
  icon and select
  
  Run as Administrator to start the tool.
  (XP users click run after receipt of Windows Security Warning - Open File).
• Press the Fix button just once and wait.
• If for some reason the tool needs a restart, please make sure you let the system restart normally. After that let the tool complete its run.
• When finished FRST will generate a log on the Desktop, called Fixlog.txt.

Please attach it to your reply.

 

[AnTREXon]

Hi

I scanned and applied the fix. this time the fix didn't have an error and rebooted by computer afterwards.
After the reboot COM surrogate is still there. Nothing changed.
Files included

 

[argus]

How's your computer behaving now?

If is one process is not a problem. My tools don't reveal malwae.
You are many tools have used and I have no real insight into system.