Unknown svchost.exe DNS port 53 network activity

From: "Gabriele Neukam"

| On this special day, David H. Lipman wrote :
|
If you are using any version of Sun Java that is prior to JRE Version 6.0,
then you are strongly urged to remove any/all versions.
|
| You should replace the six with a nine or ten.
|
| http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/docum...=1-26-102729-1
| http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/docum...=1-26-102731-1
| http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/docum...=1-26-102732-1
|
| are the newest alerts by Sun.
|
| Gabriele Neukam
|
|
|

I'm sorry Gabriele but Sun is f'd up and confusing.

v6 is the latest and based upon ALL the problems with Sun not being forthcoming with
Vulnerability statements, v6 is the suggested version. It is a complete re-write.

In the middle of the following page...
"Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 6"
http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp

--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm

Tom Willett wrote:
The most current version of JRE is now 6.0

Here is a very good free online scan from world leaders in security.
It will let you know what needs securing ( updating ) & what needs
removing ( security risk )
Secunia Software Inspector
http://secunia.com/software_inspector

From:

|
| Here is a very good free online scan from world leaders in security.
| It will let you know what needs securing ( updating ) & what needs
| removing ( security risk )
| Secunia Software Inspector
| http://secunia.com/software_inspector

It is very good and it is highly suggested.

--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm

David H. Lipman wrote:
From: "Gabriele Neukam"

| On this special day, David H. Lipman wrote :
|
If you are using any version of Sun Java that is prior to JRE Version 6.0,
then you are strongly urged to remove any/all versions.
|
| You should replace the six with a nine or ten.
|
| http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/docum...=1-26-102729-1
| http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/docum...=1-26-102731-1
| http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/docum...=1-26-102732-1
|
| are the newest alerts by Sun.
|
| Gabriele Neukam
|
|
|

I'm sorry Gabriele but Sun is f'd up and confusing.

v6 is the latest and based upon ALL the problems with Sun not being forthcoming with
Vulnerability statements, v6 is the suggested version. It is a complete re-write.

In the middle of the following page...
"Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 6"
http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp

--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm

I did have older versions of JRE, J2SE and J2ME SDK and uninstalled
them as well as deleting all related folders. The problem is still
there.

As I mentioned before, I have run a few anivirus and antispyware
programs both in normal and safe mode and they haven't identified any
issues. Of course all software were properly updated before running.

At this poing I'm starting to consider reinstalling Windows XP.

Raffi

From: "Raffi"

|
| I did have older versions of JRE, J2SE and J2ME SDK and uninstalled
| them as well as deleting all related folders. The problem is still
| there.
|
| As I mentioned before, I have run a few anivirus and antispyware
| programs both in normal and safe mode and they haven't identified any
| issues. Of course all software were properly updated before running.
|
| At this poing I'm starting to consider reinstalling Windows XP.
|
| Raffi

Replacing Sun Java was NOT part of the solution for you.

Since there are so many vulnerabilities in older version, upgrading and replacing them with
the latest version will help mitigate malware which may exploit those vulnerablities and
help prevent future problems.

Plaese run the anti malware scans and software I suggested.
--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm

David H. Lipman wrote:
From: "Raffi"

|
| I did have older versions of JRE, J2SE and J2ME SDK and uninstalled
| them as well as deleting all related folders. The problem is still
| there.
|
| As I mentioned before, I have run a few anivirus and antispyware
| programs both in normal and safe mode and they haven't identified any
| issues. Of course all software were properly updated before running.
|
| At this poing I'm starting to consider reinstalling Windows XP.
|
| Raffi

Replacing Sun Java was NOT part of the solution for you.

Since there are so many vulnerabilities in older version, upgrading and replacing them with
the latest version will help mitigate malware which may exploit those vulnerablities and
help prevent future problems.

Plaese run the anti malware scans and software I suggested.
--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm

I'll run all the scans you suggested later today and post the results.

Raffi

Raffi wrote:
David H. Lipman wrote:
From: "Raffi"

|
| I did have older versions of JRE, J2SE and J2ME SDK and uninstalled
| them as well as deleting all related folders. The problem is still
| there.
|
| As I mentioned before, I have run a few anivirus and antispyware
| programs both in normal and safe mode and they haven't identified any
| issues. Of course all software were properly updated before running.
|
| At this poing I'm starting to consider reinstalling Windows XP.
|
| Raffi

Replacing Sun Java was NOT part of the solution for you.

Since there are so many vulnerabilities in older version, upgrading and replacing them with
the latest version will help mitigate malware which may exploit those vulnerablities and
help prevent future problems.

Plaese run the anti malware scans and software I suggested.
--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm

I'll run all the scans you suggested later today and post the results.

Raffi

OK, I downloaded and ran all the software. While Ad-Aware was running I
get a warning from AntiVir that it had found a virus called
Run_it_xxx.exe. I deleted it. Other than that, they came up with a few
minor viruses on some files that have been on my PC for ever. I
quarantined them. I also made sure I have all the Windows security
updates, and I do except for a RAID driver. I also upgraded to IE 7
just to be sure. The problem still persists.

I installed a program called Prevx1 which seems to be a nice program.
It tells you when an application starts ends etc. Every time I
disconnect and reconnect the network connection, it tells me that a
program called MOBSYNC.EXE has started. I'm not sure if this is
related.

Also, the network connection seems to be active only at certain times
and inactive otherwise. When it's active it goes like crazy. I'm
suspicious that the PC is being used for DOS attacks or SPAM etc.

I'm still at a loss and any help will be appreciated. The only way I
can fight this is by unplugging the network connection.

Also, I recently configured reverse DNS lookup for my static IP address
through my ISP. Can this be related to the network activity?

Raffi

From: "Raffi"


|
| OK, I downloaded and ran all the software. While Ad-Aware was running I
| get a warning from AntiVir that it had found a virus called
| Run_it_xxx.exe. I deleted it. Other than that, they came up with a few
| minor viruses on some files that have been on my PC for ever. I
| quarantined them. I also made sure I have all the Windows security
| updates, and I do except for a RAID driver. I also upgraded to IE 7
| just to be sure. The problem still persists.
|
| I installed a program called Prevx1 which seems to be a nice program.
| It tells you when an application starts ends etc. Every time I
| disconnect and reconnect the network connection, it tells me that a
| program called MOBSYNC.EXE has started. I'm not sure if this is
| related.
|
| Also, the network connection seems to be active only at certain times
| and inactive otherwise. When it's active it goes like crazy. I'm
| suspicious that the PC is being used for DOS attacks or SPAM etc.
|
| I'm still at a loss and any help will be appreciated. The only way I
| can fight this is by unplugging the network connection.
|
| Also, I recently configured reverse DNS lookup for my static IP address
| through my ISP. Can this be related to the network activity?
|
| Raffi

MOBSYNC.EXE is most likely legit and OK.

This may have to do with the RDNS service.

--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm

David H. Lipman wrote:
From: "Raffi"


|
| OK, I downloaded and ran all the software. While Ad-Aware was running I
| get a warning from AntiVir that it had found a virus called
| Run_it_xxx.exe. I deleted it. Other than that, they came up with a few
| minor viruses on some files that have been on my PC for ever. I
| quarantined them. I also made sure I have all the Windows security
| updates, and I do except for a RAID driver. I also upgraded to IE 7
| just to be sure. The problem still persists.
|
| I installed a program called Prevx1 which seems to be a nice program.
| It tells you when an application starts ends etc. Every time I
| disconnect and reconnect the network connection, it tells me that a
| program called MOBSYNC.EXE has started. I'm not sure if this is
| related.
|
| Also, the network connection seems to be active only at certain times
| and inactive otherwise. When it's active it goes like crazy. I'm
| suspicious that the PC is being used for DOS attacks or SPAM etc.
|
| I'm still at a loss and any help will be appreciated. The only way I
| can fight this is by unplugging the network connection.
|
| Also, I recently configured reverse DNS lookup for my static IP address
| through my ISP. Can this be related to the network activity?
|
| Raffi

MOBSYNC.EXE is most likely legit and OK.

This may have to do with the RDNS service.

--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm

I had some time to do packet analysis using Etherial and most of the
conenctions were DNS queries and SMTP connections.

I went ahead and blocked all traffic from the PC to the ISP DNS servers
in my firewall (Comodo). The DNS server for my PC is statically defined
as the gateway router. Since the ISP DNS was no longer accessible it
rerouted the DNS queries (and/or query responses) to the gateway
router. These were a bunch of MX queries for mostly .ru domains.

Next I blocked all inbound and outbound UDP connections for svchost.exe
and services.exe. This stopped most of the traffic. After a while I
started seeing traffic to a couple of specific ip addresses
(208.66.195.78 and 62.189.194.215) which don't resolve to anything with
nslookup. I blocked these IP addresses in the firewall as well. Next
the PC started sending out a bunch of broadcasts (.255). So I blocked
outbound broadcast connections.

Next it started sending broadcast to 0.255 using the ZIP (Zone
Information Protocol) protocol. I don't think I've seen this one
before. I haven't been able to block these yet.

My guess is the PC is somehow being used as a DNS/SMTP relay. Another
guess is my svchost.exe and/or services.exe have been compromized.

As usual, any help in getting to the bottom of this would be welcome.

Raffi

From: "Raffi"



| I had some time to do packet analysis using Etherial and most of the
| conenctions were DNS queries and SMTP connections.

| I went ahead and blocked all traffic from the PC to the ISP DNS servers
| in my firewall (Comodo). The DNS server for my PC is statically defined
| as the gateway router. Since the ISP DNS was no longer accessible it
| rerouted the DNS queries (and/or query responses) to the gateway
| router. These were a bunch of MX queries for mostly .ru domains.

| Next I blocked all inbound and outbound UDP connections for svchost.exe
| and services.exe. This stopped most of the traffic. After a while I
| started seeing traffic to a couple of specific ip addresses
| (208.66.195.78 and 62.189.194.215) which don't resolve to anything with
| nslookup. I blocked these IP addresses in the firewall as well. Next
| the PC started sending out a bunch of broadcasts (.255). So I blocked
| outbound broadcast connections.

| Next it started sending broadcast to 0.255 using the ZIP (Zone
| Information Protocol) protocol. I don't think I've seen this one
| before. I haven't been able to block these yet.

| My guess is the PC is somehow being used as a DNS/SMTP relay. Another
| guess is my svchost.exe and/or services.exe have been compromized.

| As usual, any help in getting to the bottom of this would be welcome.

| Raffi

http://www.dnsstuff.com/tools/whois....whois.arin.net

http://www.dnsstuff.com/tools/whois....4.215&email=on


This is suspicious.

You may have to backup the PC, wipe it and then reinstall the OS from scratch if all the
csnas have come up negative.

The only other option is to use anti RootKit software such as Gmer and BlackLight to find
the malware. Otherwise, wipe the system.

--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm

The only other option is to use anti RootKit software such as Gmer and
BlackLight to find
the malware. Otherwise, wipe the system.


Try Sysinternals RootkitRevealer. Also I suggest to visit Sysinternals -
Malware forum at:

http://forum.sysinternals.com/forum_topics.asp?FID=18

--
Grzegorz Wiktorowski

On 12/21/2006 9:49 AM, something possessed Alun Jones to write:
"Raffi" wrote in message
ups.com...
David H. Lipman wrote:
From: "Raffi"

|
| Thanks for the reply. Removing the P2P software and clearing the
| \etc\hosts file did not correct the issue after all. I just logged in
| with the administrator account and the network activity is no longer
| there. This seems to be happenning only when I log into my personal
| account. During my last login, SERVICES.EXE was making the connections
| rather than SVCHOST.EXE. Is there a way to determine if these files
| have been tampered with?
|
| I'll try to get more information from netstat etc.
|
| Raffi

Yes. Download and use Process Explorer
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...sExplorer.mspx

And look at not only the file name SERVICES.EXE but the fully qualified
name and path.

SERVICES.EXE and SVCHOST.EXE should ONLY be executed from the folder;
%windir%\system32
If they are executed from any other location it is a sure sign of
malware.

Also, there are DLLs that can be loaded and use SERVICES.EXE and
SVCHOST.EXE such that the
legitimate SERVICES.EXE and/or SVCHOST.EXE are being loaded and used but
are loading
malicuious DLL files.

You can also run MSCONFIG.EXE and compare what is loaded as administrator
vs. what is loaded
in you everyday account. You indicated the activity stopped when you
logged on as admin.
thus what may be loaded to cause the activity is being loaded by that
personal account.

--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm
Dave,

Thanks for all the help and suggestions. I took the easy way out this
time. I created a new user and transferred all important files
(documents etc) to the new user. Then I deleted the original account.
This fixed the issue.

My guess is that this was some sort of malware. I did download process
explorer for future use. Sorry I couldn't chase this any longer but
this is my main workstation and I have alot of work to do which had
been on hold while I was chasing this.

Since the problem is "fixed" by running under a different user, that really
strongly points the finger at malware.
Agrees with you here

However, I would definitely recommend that you not view this as being
"fixed".

It isn't.
It could be, but a more thourogh checkup is in order

You still have that malware, and the "work" that you do on it is now exposed
to the author of that malware, and anyone he chooses to share it with.

Your most reliable bet would be to "flatten" the machine - take your work
off to a backup device, reinstall the OS and your applications, and restore
your work.
Yes, that is the only way to entirely be sure that you're using a clean
machine. However, that probably isn't necessary. I would recommend
using David Lipman's multi-AV scan either in Safe Mode as administrator
(so that you'll have access to all files) or using BartPE (if these AV
proggies can be incorporated into a BartPE disc).

And don't be running P2P applications on your work machine.
Depends on which P2P and what its used fore
P2P
"file-sharing" is a great way to pick up malware, because you're downloading
and then executing untrusted data and applications from unknown and
untrusted third parties.
Not necessarily. If you're just using it to illegally download music
and videos (not program executables), and you're careful about how you
play these (I wouldn't rely on Windows to launch them, for example, but
load them in Winamp, and don't let Winamp connect to Internet), than
you're more or less safe. Also, more than likely, the P2P proggie you
used had its own malware (like Navaccel or something like that).
Finally, some P2P proggies (such as Bittorrent) can be used safely (like
for downloading Linux distros), since even though you're downloading
from other computers, the tracker is administered by the Linux
Distribution and, to my knowledge, it's not possible yet to alter a file
or set of files once the tracker has already been posted without posting
a new torrent tracker.
Is it any wonder you got infected? Unless you
remove the infection, and stop doing the things that got you infected,
you'll stay infected, and you'll get infected again with the next thing that
comes along. Eventually, your "work" will be spread around the world for
everyone to enjoy. I don't think you want that.

Alun.
~~~~

David H. Lipman wrote:
From: "Raffi"



| I had some time to do packet analysis using Etherial and most of the
| conenctions were DNS queries and SMTP connections.

| I went ahead and blocked all traffic from the PC to the ISP DNS servers
| in my firewall (Comodo). The DNS server for my PC is statically defined
| as the gateway router. Since the ISP DNS was no longer accessible it
| rerouted the DNS queries (and/or query responses) to the gateway
| router. These were a bunch of MX queries for mostly .ru domains.

| Next I blocked all inbound and outbound UDP connections for svchost.exe
| and services.exe. This stopped most of the traffic. After a while I
| started seeing traffic to a couple of specific ip addresses
| (208.66.195.78 and 62.189.194.215) which don't resolve to anything with
| nslookup. I blocked these IP addresses in the firewall as well. Next
| the PC started sending out a bunch of broadcasts (.255). So I blocked
| outbound broadcast connections.

| Next it started sending broadcast to 0.255 using the ZIP (Zone
| Information Protocol) protocol. I don't think I've seen this one
| before. I haven't been able to block these yet.

| My guess is the PC is somehow being used as a DNS/SMTP relay. Another
| guess is my svchost.exe and/or services.exe have been compromized.

| As usual, any help in getting to the bottom of this would be welcome.

| Raffi

http://www.dnsstuff.com/tools/whois....whois.arin.net

http://www.dnsstuff.com/tools/whois....4.215&email=on


This is suspicious.

You may have to backup the PC, wipe it and then reinstall the OS from scratch if all the
csnas have come up negative.

The only other option is to use anti RootKit software such as Gmer and BlackLight to find
the malware. Otherwise, wipe the system.

--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm

Update - I had tried a couple of rootkit detection software without
success and had given up. But gmer finally found it. Turns out it is a
rootkit. It's called Backdoor.Rustock.B. It uses the following hidden
data stream c:\windows\system32:lzx32.sys (c:\windows\system32:18467).
This Symantec website has more information:
http://www.symantec.com/security_res...305-99&tabid=3

The syptoms for the rootkit are similar to what I'm experiencing. From
what I've read so far it might be tricky to get rid of. It seems to be
active in safe mode as well. I'll be searching for a way to get rid of
it. If there are any ideas out there, please let me know.

Thanks for all the help.
Raffi

On 12/26/2006 10:21 PM, something possessed Raffi to write:
David H. Lipman wrote:
From: "Raffi"



| I had some time to do packet analysis using Etherial and most of the
| conenctions were DNS queries and SMTP connections.

| I went ahead and blocked all traffic from the PC to the ISP DNS servers
| in my firewall (Comodo). The DNS server for my PC is statically defined
| as the gateway router. Since the ISP DNS was no longer accessible it
| rerouted the DNS queries (and/or query responses) to the gateway
| router. These were a bunch of MX queries for mostly .ru domains.

| Next I blocked all inbound and outbound UDP connections for svchost.exe
| and services.exe. This stopped most of the traffic. After a while I
| started seeing traffic to a couple of specific ip addresses
| (208.66.195.78 and 62.189.194.215) which don't resolve to anything with
| nslookup. I blocked these IP addresses in the firewall as well. Next
| the PC started sending out a bunch of broadcasts (.255). So I blocked
| outbound broadcast connections.

| Next it started sending broadcast to 0.255 using the ZIP (Zone
| Information Protocol) protocol. I don't think I've seen this one
| before. I haven't been able to block these yet.

| My guess is the PC is somehow being used as a DNS/SMTP relay. Another
| guess is my svchost.exe and/or services.exe have been compromized.

| As usual, any help in getting to the bottom of this would be welcome.

| Raffi

http://www.dnsstuff.com/tools/whois....whois.arin.net

http://www.dnsstuff.com/tools/whois....4.215&email=on


This is suspicious.

You may have to backup the PC, wipe it and then reinstall the OS from scratch if all the
csnas have come up negative.

The only other option is to use anti RootKit software such as Gmer and BlackLight to find
the malware. Otherwise, wipe the system.

--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm

Update - I had tried a couple of rootkit detection software without
success and had given up. But gmer finally found it. Turns out it is a
rootkit. It's called Backdoor.Rustock.B. It uses the following hidden
data stream c:\windows\system32:lzx32.sys (c:\windows\system32:18467).
This Symantec website has more information:
http://www.symantec.com/security_res...305-99&tabid=3

The syptoms for the rootkit are similar to what I'm experiencing. From
what I've read so far it might be tricky to get rid of. It seems to be
active in safe mode as well. I'll be searching for a way to get rid of
it. If there are any ideas out there, please let me know.

Thanks for all the help.
Raffi

First, stay of the network with your infected PC. Secondly, Get
PEBuilder and create a BartPE LiveCD. Use this to edit your
registry.hiv file in order to remove the rootkit (I haven't done the
research because my blood sugar is getting low, so you'll need to do the
research to figure out what registry keys in registry.hiv should be
deleted (or maybe someone else here will be nice enough to post those
for you). Good luck.

Cheers,

Will

"William" wrote in message
t...
Not necessarily. If you're just using it to illegally download music and
videos (not program executables), and you're careful about how you play
these (I wouldn't rely on Windows to launch them, for example, but load
them in Winamp, and don't let Winamp connect to Internet), than you're
more or less safe.

Right, because Winamp has never had any vulnerabilities that can be
exploited by badly formatted data.

Oh. No, wait, actually it has. Several times.

This is why the trend lately is to attack applications, rather than
operating systems - the operating system vendors are getting much better at
tracking and fixing problems, but many application vendors still have their
heads in the sand - and so do many users, to judge from the reactions I get
whenever I suggest that data - music, video, etc - might carry trojans.

In the abstract sense, there is no dividing line between code and data -
data tells code where to go, and so acts as pseudo-code, in many cases.

Also, more than likely, the P2P proggie you used had its own malware (like
Navaccel or something like that).

Don't make the mistake of assuming that I'm talking about my own experiences
with P2P - I've simply seen too many machines infected where the source of
infection is traced to an overactive P2P exchanger.

Finally, some P2P proggies (such as Bittorrent) can be used safely (like
for downloading Linux distros), since even though you're downloading from
other computers, the tracker is administered by the Linux Distribution
and, to my knowledge, it's not possible yet to alter a file or set of
files once the tracker has already been posted without posting a new
torrent tracker.

I'm glad you put me at ease there - after all, the main Linux distros have
never been altered maliciously by hackers.

Oh, wait, they have, haven't they.
http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/32240.html

Cleaning a virus or trojan infection is only going to be effective if you
can plug whatever hole they got in through - whether it's a hole in your
behaviour, or in your apps, or in your OS. Even flattening and restoring
just means that the attacker gets another chance to try the same thing at
you, but this time on a system that's less cluttered with the debris of
other previous attacks.

Alun.
~~~~