Solved dllhost.exe COM Surrogate with Powershell Can't Run

[Jeh0]

Started about a week ago, CPU maxed out and the PowerShell can't run error messages on a popup window. There were other ransomware and virus, but I ran Malwarebytes in safe mode and they were removed. This is on my brother's computer this time. I had assistance here that helped me when I had the dllhost.exe*32 COM Surrogate on my computer. Hoping someone can help me get my brother's computer working this time. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[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.

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 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.

 

[Jeh0]

Here is the Mbar info. It takes a long time to run things since the CPU is maxed out due to the COM Surrogate replication. After I send this, I'll start on the Farbar. Thanks.

 

[Jeh0]

Ok, that ran a lot quicker. Here are the two reports from the FRST. Thanks.

 

[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.

 

[Jeh0]

Fix has been run and the Fixlog.txt is attached. Thanks.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Very good. How is your PC now?

 

[Jeh0]

I think things are running ok. I have gotten popups that ask if I want to debug the web page for various reasons, the error shows up in the window, but I checked the option to not show this again, and it seems to be ok. Apparently browser settings were all reset to default which would explain why some actions seem a bit different. The task manager only shows one COM Surrogate running by System, and the CPU usage is back down, so I think things look good. Is there anything else I might check to verify? Thanks so much!

 

[Jeh0]

Hold on, there is a big problem it is still having. Any Word files I try to open all have a popup message saying that there is a problem with the content and under details, it says The file is corrupt and cannot be opened. It asks if I want to recover it if I trust the source and I said yes, but it couldn't recover it and I just get the same message again.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

You were infected with Cryptowall virus that renders your files unusable and ask you to pay ransom to unlock it.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/cryptowall-ransomware-information

 

[Jeh0]

From the link you provided on crypto, I've tried the previous versions method, and it appears that they were deleted with the encryption. The shadow files restore only had a date that went back to when I had started the virus cleaning, so I am not sure that those files would be virus free and it can only restore entire system folders and I am afraid of doing more damage or opening infected files, since it is not really clear how that works. Do you have any other recommendations in that area? Is there anything else I should check to see if there is any remnants of virus lurking? Thanks.

 

[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.

 

[Jeh0]

I ran the Farbar scan and have attached the two reports. I had also installed the crypto preventer software from the web site you referenced. It is only the free version and will have to be manually updated. Hopefully it will help, even though it says it isn't 100%. Thanks.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Good. How is your PC now?

 

[Jeh0]

I didn't run a scan with McAfee, but this morning it is saying there are 79 issues. The McAfee icon is sitting in the tray with the "!" mark. They are Vault7WebServices.dll, DECRYPT_INSTRUCTION.HTML, DECRYPT_INSTRUCTION.TXT, with there being many copies of the two "DECRYPT" files, adding up to 79 files. It says McAfee recommends deleting them now because they can't be fixed and they will show up in the next scan. I don't recall seeing this in McAfee before this morning. What action do you suggest I take? Thanks.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Remove all items and let me know will they be picked in next scan?

 

[Jeh0]

I removed the items and ran McAfee again and it found 39 more items of DECRYPT_INSTRUCTION.HTML, DECRYPT_INSTRUCTION.TXT. I removed them and am running it again. I wonder if they are continuing to send these to this machine to get paid, but I don't know where McAfee is finding them. I am running the scan again and will let you know if more show up. Thanks.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Okay, keep me updated.

 

[Jeh0]

I ran it again and I got just one this time. I got the Vault7WebServices.dll. I just deleted it. Do you think that is related to the DECRYPT stuff? Thanks.

 

[Jeh0]

I ran the scan again and the Vault7WebServices.dll showed up again. I deleted it again, and am running the scan again. Either it isn't actually getting deleted or it keeps coming back right away.