IE9 Redirect Virus

I'll try to keep this as short and concise. Any help's greatly appreciated. Although I'm not looking for "Don't use IE, use browser X".

--When using Google, clicking search links will sometimes bring me to spam sites, not the website I'm clicking.

--Seems only to be affecting IE9. Doing the same searches in Chrome do not exhibit these symptoms.

--Full scans (in safe mode) with MalwareBytes and MSSE did not find any infected files. Both scanners have up-to-date definitions. TDSSKiller also did not find anything.

HiJackThis log:

Spoiler

Code:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 10:05:36 PM, on 6/3/2012
Platform: Windows 7 SP1 (WinNT 6.00.3505)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v9.00 (9.00.8112.16421)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Program Files (x86)\DAEMON Tools Lite\DTLite.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\msi\msi LED Manager\SLM.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\System Control Manager\MGSysCtrl.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\microsoft shared\Works Shared\WkUFind.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology\IAStorIcon.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Renesas Electronics\USB 3.0 Host Controller Driver\Application\nusb3mon.exe
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\Motorola\Bluetooth\btplayerctrl.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\ATI Technologies\HydraVision\HydraDM.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\HiJackThis\Trend Micro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.yahoo.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe,
O1 - Hosts: 190.211.252.71 animepassion.tv
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: Groove GFS Browser Helper - {72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveShellExtensions.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live ID Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [msi LED Manager] C:\Program Files (x86)\msi\msi LED Manager\SLM.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MGSysCtrl] C:\Program Files (x86)\System Control Manager\MGSysCtrl.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [GrooveMonitor] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveMonitor.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SwitchBoard] C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\SwitchBoard\SwitchBoard.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AdobeCS5ServiceManager] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\CS5ServiceManager\CS5ServiceManager.exe" -launchedbylogin
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Works Update Detection] C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\WkUFind.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IAStorIcon] C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology\IAStorIcon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NUSB3MON] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Renesas Electronics\USB 3.0 Host Controller Driver\Application\nusb3mon.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [StartCCC] "C:\Program Files (x86)\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CLIStart.exe" MSRun
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Google Update] "C:\Users\Greg\AppData\Local\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe" /c
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [DAEMON Tools Lite] "C:\Program Files (x86)\DAEMON Tools Lite\DTLite.exe" -autorun
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Apps] rundll32.exe "C:\Users\Greg\AppData\Local\ATI\Apps\axtao.dll",DllRegisterServer
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [HydraVisionDesktopManager] "C:\Program Files (x86)\ATI Technologies\HydraVision\HydraDM.exe"
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Update] rundll32.exe "C:\Users\Greg\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe\ulbzyvwiq.dll",DllRegisterServer (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Apps] rundll32.exe "C:\Users\Greg\AppData\Local\ATI\Apps\axtao.dll",DllRegisterServer (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [Apps] rundll32.exe "C:\Users\Greg\AppData\Local\ATI\Apps\axtao.dll",DllRegisterServer (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [Apps] rundll32.exe "C:\Users\Greg\AppData\Local\ATI\Apps\axtao.dll",DllRegisterServer (User 'Default user')
O4 - Global Startup: AML Device Install.lnk = C:\Program Files (x86)\AMD AVT\bin\kdbsync.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: @C:\Program Files\Motorola\Bluetooth\btmshell.dll,-247 - {bd707fe6-39f6-4bda-9265-86a76719bdc5} - C:\Program Files\Motorola\Bluetooth\btmiesend.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @C:\Program Files\Motorola\Bluetooth\btmshell.dll,-247 - {bd707fe6-39f6-4bda-9265-86a76719bdc5} - C:\Program Files\Motorola\Bluetooth\btmiesend.htm
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll
O11 - Options group: [ACCELERATED_GRAPHICS] Accelerated graphics
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/get/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab
O18 - Protocol: grooveLocalGWS - {88FED34C-F0CA-4636-A375-3CB6248B04CD} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveSystemServices.dll
O23 - Service: Adobe Acrobat Update Service (AdobeARMservice) - Adobe Systems Incorporated - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\armsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Adobe Flash Player Update Service (AdobeFlashPlayerUpdateSvc) - Adobe Systems Incorporated - C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\FlashPlayerUpdateService.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: AMD External Events Utility - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\atiesrxx.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Bluetooth Device Manager - Motorola, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Motorola\Bluetooth\devmgrsrv.exe
O23 - Service: Bluetooth Media Service - Motorola, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Motorola\Bluetooth\audiosrv.exe
O23 - Service: Bluetooth OBEX Service - Motorola, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Motorola\Bluetooth\obexsrv.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\efssvc.dll,-100 (EFS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Macrovision Europe Ltd. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service 64 - Macrovision Europe Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService64.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology (IAStorDataMgrSvc) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology\IAStorDataMgrSvc.exe
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Logitech Bluetooth Service (LBTServ) - Logitech, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\LogiShrd\Bluetooth\lbtserv.exe
O23 - Service: Micro Star SCM - Micro-Star International Co., Ltd. - C:\Program Files (x86)\System Control Manager\MSIService.exe
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\sppsvc.exe,-101 (sppsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\sppsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Steam Client Service - Valve Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Steam\SteamService.exe
O23 - Service: Adobe SwitchBoard (SwitchBoard) - Adobe Systems Incorporated - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\SwitchBoard\SwitchBoard.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vaultsvc.dll,-1003 (VaultSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Wat\WatUX.exe,-601 (WatAdminSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\Wat\WatAdminSvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\wbengine.exe,-104 (wbengine) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbengine.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)

--
End of file - 11698 bytes

 

IE9 strictly being the advertising and toolbar platform that it is, I'm not surprised.

Stick to chrome.

 

Duly noted.

Sound advice or not, the fact is that something is inside my computer that I don't want, and I want it out.

 

Try running internet explorer without add ons. It's most likely something good ol' internet explorer let right in. I'm not trying to question your intelligence but have you looked in your installed programs? Harmless redirecting software likes to reside in plain sight.

 

Before you run TDSSkiller or malwarebytes, please check your browser first.

Hope following steps help:

1) Check Local Area Network (LAN) settings
a) Open Internet Explorer. In Internet Explorer go to: Tools->Internet Options.
b) Click on “Connections” tab, then click “LAN settings” button.
c) Uncheck the checkbox under “Proxy server” option and click OK.

2) make sure that DNS settings are not changed
a) Open Control Panel (Start->Control Panel).
b) Double-click “Network Connections” icon to open it.
c) Right click on “Local Area Connection” icon and select “Properties”.
d) Select “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)” and click “Properties” button.
e) Choose “Obtain DNS server address automatically” and click OK.

3) Check Windows HOSTS file
a) Go to: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc.
b) Double-click “hosts” file to open it. Choose to open with Notepad.

4) Manage Internet Explorer add-ons. Remove unknown or suspicious add-ons
a) Open Internet Explorer. In Internet Explorer go to: Tools->Manage Add- ons.
b) Uninstall unknown or suspicious Toolbars or Search Providers.

5) Use TDSSKiller tool to remove malware belonging to the family Rootkit.Win32.TDSS

6) Scan your computer with legitimate anti-malware software.

 

Forgot to mention I did the usual network checks, too. Nothing for proxy, DNS settings are fine, and I have like two addons running. I did notice that my host files have a lot of URLs, but they all seem adobe related. Thinking about it though, maybe not.

As for installed programs, nothing out of the ordinary.

Hosts file

Spoiler

127.0.0.1 activate.adobe.com
127.0.0.1 practivate.adobe.com
127.0.0.1 ereg.adobe.com
127.0.0.1 activate.wip3.adobe.com
127.0.0.1 wip3.adobe.com
127.0.0.1 3dns-3.adobe.com
127.0.0.1 3dns-2.adobe.com
127.0.0.1 adobe-dns.adobe.com
127.0.0.1 adobe-dns-2.adobe.com
127.0.0.1 adobe-dns-3.adobe.com
127.0.0.1 ereg.wip3.adobe.com
127.0.0.1 activate-sea.adobe.com
127.0.0.1 wwis-dubc1-vip60.adobe.com
127.0.0.1 activate-sjc0.adobe.com
127.0.0.1 adobe.activate.com
127.0.0.1 adobeereg.com
127.0.0.1 Registration
127.0.0.1 wwis-dubc1-vip60.adobe.com
127.0.0.1 hl2rcv.adobe.com

 

The host file are all 127.0.0.1 redirects but why all the adobe entries indeed? I'd remove those and only use standard '127.0.0.1 localhost'.
In the log, ' O1 - Hosts: 190.211.252.71 animepassion.tv' seems off.

You've already used MSE and MBAM, I'd advice to also run HitmanPro3 and see if that program can find anything.
In the log I also noticed an old Java version? If so, run JavaRa to remove any old version(s).
Keep Java updated diligently at all times, if not absolutely necessary, I'd uninstall it completely.
JavaRa link HitmanPro3 link

 

^Listen to Baserk (The go-to-guy when you got a virus)

Run HitmanPro3 ASAP

 

Hitman found an infected .dll file in my ATI folder (oddly enough), and lots of naughty cookies. Seems okay now, but I'll use it throughout the day and see if anything comes up.

 

Well go by Baserk paid for sandbox solution. It good especially if you wander into not so friendly territory like naughty sites.

Edit: lol, that hostfile mod is so old school, you should change your NIC to not use that. Oh yeah the adobe hint means they came in through your flash player and redirect you to their site because it most likely has a flash player exploit hosted there.

 

double post

 

Is there any hint what website your browser redirect you to?
Because some are rootkit virus, which you need special tool to kill.
Some are just browser hijack toolbar, which can be removed manually.

 

Forge (Greg?) and others, hosts file could be also full of Adobe entries because of the activation crack for Adobe Creative Suite (and you have CS5).

In the future if the thing happens again I recommend Comodo Cleaning Essentials that also checks all kinds of system settings and hosts files and can restore them to the defaults after cleaning. No installation needed. You just run the exe.