Trojan.poweliks!gm quarantine by Norton and multiple dllhost.exe -high CPU

[Scott M]

Recently noted my Laptop is running very high CPU usage. Seems to occur after connect online, as it slows or stops when I disconnect my LAN and turn off my Wi-Fi.
I looked at the Task Manager and I saw many occurrences of dllhost.exe. I pulled down Microsoft Process Explorer, which helps me shut down the process tree when it begins otherwise I could have 15 or more running.

My Norton 360 scan quarantined Trojan.Poweliks!gm.
Issue is reported in multiple places on the internet. I also noted it on this forum, but I am opening a new link as requested to address item.

thank you for the help

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Hello,



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



Before we start please read and note the following:

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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.
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• 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.
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[Scott M]

I downloaded MBAR as requested and ran it.
When started it gave message "Registry value "AppInit_Dlls" has been found". with 1st scan I pressed "No" to continue.
No Malware found after scan.
My Norton 360 gave message about the same time that "Cleaning Security Risk" and asked for reboot.
I rebooted and I ran the MBAR a second scan. Same message "Registry value...", so this time I pressed "Yes" to continue.
No Malware found in 2nd scan.
However, looking at the Norton 360 log I see 5 instances of Resolved Security Risks with quarantine for the Trojan.Poweliks!gm in 1st 5 minutes of PC power up this morning.
I don't think Norton is fixing issue, but it may be helping to hide it.
Attached: image from initial boot of MBAR with message, system_log and both MBAR_logs (2 scans)

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Okay, proceed with FRST.

 

[Scott M]

PC is currently acting better -not high CPU usage for past hour. Fixed??
I did not ask Norton 360 to do anything, it is all set automatic. But just in case Norton is doing something to mask issue, I am attaching the log from the Norton 360 risk repair actions. Image is picture of log, text from detail of last risk cleaned by Norton. PC was turned on about 9am this morning, so first log item is very soon after LAN connection.

 

[Scott M]

Ran FRST, attached file.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

This is not FRST report.

 

[Scott M]

oops...sorry, wrong Farbar...

 

[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.

 

[Scott M]

I put the file provided in the folder and ran the Farber.
log attached.

thank you

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Good. How is your PC now?