Solved Dllhost.exe and Multiple Com Surrogate Issue

[CMccracken]

Hello,

I'm yet another victim of the dllhost.exe/ multiple "Com Surrogate" process issue. I followed some of the advice in other threads and appear to have fixed the problem, but it'd be helpful if somebody could look at the logs and suggest whether there is anything else I should do. Below are the symptoms I was facing and what steps I took. Attached are the MalwareBytes, ComboFix, AdwCleaner, and FRST logs (which were run in that order).

Thanks in advance. It's much appreciated.

---

Symptoms:
Symptoms included: multiple dllhost.exe processes running; computer running slowly; windows security center turned off; Sophos anti-virus detecting numerous "high-risk" web sites being accessed when user was not using the browser; advertisements playing over audio even when browser not open; various anti-virus/anti-Malware programs finding an issue with GoogleUpdate.exe or ChromeUpdate.exe; getting error message "your security settings do not allow you to download this file" when attempting to download adobe updates or Malwarebytes (and presumably other things).

Steps Taken:
(1) Booted in Safe Mode with Networking
(2) In Internet Explorer, went to Tools-->Internet Options-->Advanced and hit "reset" to reset to default security settings (this allowed me to download files)
(3) downloaded, installed, ran MalwareBytes (did not fully fix problem)
(4) Ran Sophos Antivirus scan; this detected a virus; when attempting to clean the virus, that's when I started getting advertisements playing over the speakers; Sophos apparently didn't clean it
(5) downloaded, installed, ran ComboFix
(6) downloaded, installed, ran AdwCleaner

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Hello,



They call me TwinHeadedEagle around here, and I'll be working with you.



Before we start please read and note the following:

• At the top of your post, please click on the "Watch thread" button and make sure to check Watch this thread...and receive email notifications. This will send an email to you as soon as I reply to your topic, allowing me to solve your problem faster.
• Please do not install any new software during the cleaning process other than the tools I provide for you. This can hinder the cleaning process. Please do not perform System Restore or any other restore.
• Instructions I give to you are very simple and made for complete beginner to follow. That's why you need to read through my instructions carefully and completely before executing them.
• Please do not run any tools other than the ones I ask you to, when I ask you to. Some of these tools can be very dangerous if used improperly. Also, if you use a tool that I have not requested you use, it can cause false positives, thereby delaying the complete cleaning of your machine.
  
• All tools we use here are completely clean and do not contain any malware. If your antivirus detects them as malicious, please disable your antivirus and then continue.
• If during the process you run across anything that is not in my instructions, please stop and ask. If any tool is running too much time (few hours), please stop and inform me.
• I visit forum several times at day, making sure to respond to everyone's topic as fast as possible. But bear in mind that I have private life like everyone and I cannot be here 24/7. So please be patient with me. Also, some infections require less, and some more time to be removed completely, so bear this in mind and be patient.
• Please stay with me until the end of all steps and procedures and I declare your system clean. Just because there is a lack of symptoms does not indicate a clean machine. If you solved your problem yourself, set aside two minutes to let me know.
  
• Please attach all report using
  
  button below. Doing this, you make it easier for me to analyze and fix your problem.
  
• Do not ask for help for your business PC. Companies are making revenue via computers, so it is good thing to pay someone to repair it.
• If I don't hear from you within 3 days from this initial or any subsequent post, then this thread will be closed.

WARNING!!! ComboFix is complex and very powerfull tool, that is able to destroy your system completely if run in wrong hands. It is not intended for everyday use. It should be run only when asked and under guidance by trained malware removal expert. Don't run ComboFix on your own!!!

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.

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.

 

[CMccracken]

Thank you. Unfortunately, when I rebooted my computer, the multiple Com Surrogate files came back. I ran TDSSKiller, and it did not find any malicious files. Attached are my FRST.txt and Addition.txt logs. Also attached is my TDSS Log in 2 parts because it was too big (I just cut/pasted the first half into a new .txt file).

Thank you for your continued help.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

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.

 

[CMccracken]

Thanks. I ran FRST with fixlist.txt as you described. It caused a reboot, and I let it run. I now only see one dllhost.exe COM Surrogate process running (that's normal, right?), but I do notice a process running called yxwuo.exe*32 that seems unusual. It is running from C:\Users\Casey\AppData\Roaming\Quynum\yxwuo.exe.

Attached is the fixlog.txt.

Thank you.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

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.

 

[CMccracken]

I can't thank you enough for your continued help. Since your last post I have a couple updates:

• The yxwuo.exe*32 file was definitely malicious. It was taking up 30+% of my CPU according to the task manager. I also noticed that when I would shut down or restart the computer, a bunch of windows would flash on the screen as though I had hundreds of browser windows open
• In order to be able to use the computer again, I ran ComboFix. (I know I shouldn't have since you didn't tell me to, but I did it at my own risk). It found and deleted yxwuo.exe.
• After that, the computer seemed to run ok, but yxwuo.exe would come back after reboot. However, I ran ComboFix again and now it seems to be gone and not coming back.
• Right now, my computer seems to be running normally except that when visiting certain forums I get a weird error message that says "Webpage Error. Do you want to debug this webpage?..." A screenshot is attached. It may just be that running ComboFix reset some things in my browser, but I wanted to flag this for you.
• Also, my anti-virus (Sophos) said it blocked something, so I may not be completely clean still. It said "File C:\Windows\NIRCMD.exe belongs to adware or PUA NirCMd (of type Other)"

Attached are my most recent ComboFix Log and a fresh FRST logs after rebooting.

Thanks again.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

There are still malware present. About forum message, I've never seen it in my life.

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.

 

[CMccracken]

Thanks. I ran the fixlist.txt. Attached is the fixlog.txt as well as a fresh FRST.txt and Addition.txt. I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary yet except that Sophos blocked "PUA NirCmd" again, saying: "File C:\Windows\NIRCMD.exe belongs to adware or PUA NirCMd (of type Other)"

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

It could be a legit tool. So probably this is false detection.

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/nircmd.html

How is your PC now?

 

[CMccracken]

Seems to be running fine. If you don't see anything weird in the logs, then I think the problems might be solved. I can't thank you enough for all your help.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Glad I could help. We will delete all used tools and I'll give you some tips to harden your security and learn how to protect yourself

Recommended reading:
​

MUST READ - security tips:

• Computer Security - a short guide to staying safer online.
• Simple and easy ways to keep your computer safe and secure on the Internet

MUST READ - general maintenance:

• What to do if your Computer is running slowly?

The Importance of Software Updating:
​

In order to stay protected it is very important that you regularly update all of your software. Cybercriminals depend on the apathy of users around software updates to keep their malicious endeavor running.​

Operating systems, such as Windows, and applications, such as Adobe Reader or JAVA, are used by tens of millions of computers and devices around the world, making them a huge target for cybercriminals. Downloading updates and installing them can sometimes be tedious, but the advantages you get from the updates are certainly worth it.

• How to configure and use Automatic Updates in Windows
• How to update Java
• How to update Adobe Reader

Recommended additional software:
​

TFC - to clean unneeded temporary files.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - to scan your system from time to time in search for malware.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Exploit - to prevent plenty of mostly exploited vulnerabilities.

McShield - to prevent infections spread by removable media.

Unchecky - to prevent from installing additional foistware, implemented in legitimate installations.

FiheHippo.com Update Checker - to keep your programs up-to-date.

Adblock - to surf the web without annoying ads!

Post-cleanup procedures:​

Download DelFix by Xplode and save it to your desktop.

• Run the tool by right click on the
  
  icon and Run as administrator option.
• Make sure that these ones are checked:
  • Remove disinfection tools
  • Purge system restore
  • Reset system settings
• Push Run and wait until the tool completes his work.
• All tools we used should be gone. Tool will create an report for you (C:\DelFix.txt)

The tool will also record healthy state of registry and make a backup using ERUNT program in %windir%\ERUNT\DelFix
Tool deletes old system restore points and create a fresh system restore point after cleaning.

My help is free for everybody.
If you're happy with the help provided and/or wish to buy me a beer for the assistance you received, then you can consider a donation:
Thank you!​

Stay safe,
TwinHeadedEagle