Solved High CPU usage. dllhost.exe *32 COM Surrogate

[Pacific NW Rider]

Hello, I'm having a problem with dllhost.exe and high usage by COM Surrogate on Windows 7. I can end the task(s) in the services and the computer returns to normal but over time it returns. I ran the Kaspersky TDSS killer, nothing found. A couple of days ago, I ran Malwarebytes and it found two Trojan agents and several other lesser items. While it quarantined them, I later deleted them, as I had not found this site, where you likely would not have had me delete them that quickly. The details are in the Malwarebytes reports, but I'm not sure how to capture them and send that to you if you need them? I tried to simply highlight and copy them. That didn't work. Attached is the Kaspersky file as requested.

 

[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.

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.

 

[Pacific NW Rider]

Ran the recommended FARBAR application. File attached. Unrelated to this effort, I did experience a virus notification by Symantec that the Trojan.tracur.gen9 was detected. It reported it was removed. Perhaps this helps.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Scan with ComboFix

This is a very powerful tool that should be used only if advised by Malware Analyst.
Do not run ComboFix on your own!

Referring to this instruction, please download ComboFix by sUBs and save it to your desktop.
Temporary disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware protection - instructions here.

• Right-click on
  
  icon and select
  
  Run as Administrator to start the tool.
• Accept the disclaimer and agree if prompted to install Recovery Console.
• Do not take any actions while ComboFix goes through your System - it may cause it to stall!
• This scan may take some time!
• When finished - it will display a logfile (located also on your main drive, usually C:\ComboFix.txt).

Include that log in your next reply.

If you'll encounter any issues with internet connection after running ComboFix, please visit this link.

If an error about operation on the key marked for deletion will appear after running the tool, please reboot your machine.

 

[Pacific NW Rider]

I'm having a problem with downloading ComboFix. On the infected computer, I get a response that I can't download it as the security settings are too high. They are not set high, but medium. I suspect something is blocking the download OR something wants me to further lower the settings to allow it to do more harm. I tried to down load the file from the site on my other computer. I get a Symantec notice when I try to down load it, that it is a virus, Symantec blocks the downloads. There are two links to down load it, each receives a virus notice, both are different viruses. Thoughts?

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Disable your Symantec please.

 

[Pacific NW Rider]

I disabled Symantec as noted, and it still was catching the file as a virus Finally I was able to go into Symantec and found one setting which I disabled. Downloaded and ran ComboFix. It hung up on Step 4. I let it sit for a long while, but it didn't finish. I closed it and re ran it again and it hung on step 4. I goggled the problem, and there were some file types in the services area of task manager which were recommended to stop, to address this, but none of them were present. So I re-enabled Symantec, which then caught the ComboFix.exe file and quarantined it. That all said, it would appear the steps which did run in ComboFix, resolved the problem as the recurring COM Surrogate dlls have stopped. I know there is probably something which should be cleaned up, as it did make back ups of some files and I was not able to actually uninstall it. I could not locate the ComboFix.txt file on my drive to provide. Even looked with a dos prompt.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Forgot about ComboFix.

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.

 

[Pacific NW Rider]

Ran Farbar again, both files attached. I've been letting the computer run over the past couple of days, and checking the system details in Task Manager. I do have the machine go into sleep mode after 15 min if this provides any value. When this problem appeared to be fixed, there was a single dllhost.exe in the tasks with no description. Prior to running Farbar this time, and just coming out of sleep mode I happened to notice there was an additional dllhost.exe as a com.surrogate. I checked it, again, and now there were two dllhost.exe but the description of com.surrogate is now blank, neither have a description. Just checked the TM again and it's back to a single dllhost.exe. So is a com.surrogate a normal thing as a temporary task?

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

It is still there:

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.

 

[Pacific NW Rider]

Hi, ran the FarBar with the fixlist.txt on the desktop. The program appeared to hang. As it never appeared to finish. I let it run several hours, but no change. I shut down, made sure my AV was all off, turned off reran it... still appeared to hang. Stopped it and turned off the 15min sleep mode and reran it. Still hung. I looked at the fixlog, it indicates it ran 3 times; which is correct. I don't see any dllhost running right now. Thoughts?

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

No problem, it is probably due to temp files. How is your PC now?

 

[Pacific NW Rider]

Looks good. No dllhost running at all. Machine seems to be back to normal. Is there any clean up of files I should do? I know there were some back up files indicated, in the process. I will make a restore point later today. Since I'm not sure what caused this, is there anything other than running Symantec and Malwarebytes, to prevent this? It's the first time in years, that something like this happened, but resolving was time consuming. Thanks in advance for any recommendations. I appreciate the support, as the other solution looked like a complete reinstall of Win7. Will post a donation this evening as well you deserve a well earned beer!

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

This is new kind of virus that is able to avoid antivirus products mostly.


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