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Removal instructions for Coolbird


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What is Coolbird?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Coolbird is a stealth bitcoin miner. These so-called "miners" use your system resources to gain bitcoins for a third party.

How do I know if I am infected with Coolbird?

There are no visible screens, but your computer will be extraordinarily slow and you may spot running processes like these:

Processes.png
Note the icon associated with msconfig.exe ! That is not the one the legitimate msconfig would show.

How did Coolbird get on my computer?

Miner programs use different methods for spreading themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software,


How do I remove Coolbird?

Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this miner, but because this application blocks the normal use of programs we will use Chameleon to remove it.

  • If Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is not installed on the infected computer.
    In order for this to work, you could need a second PC which is not infected and a USB flash drive or blank CD and CD burner or some other means to transfer files from one computer to the other.
    1. Download Chameleon from the Malwarebytes site.
    2. Unzip the contents of the zip-file to a folder in a convenient location on the infected computer.
    3. If you were unable to do this directly on the infected PC, then copy the folder from the clean computer to the infected one.
    4. Make certain that your infected PC is connected to the internet and then open the folder you created or copied, on your infected computer and double-click on svchost.exe.
    5. Follow the onscreen instructions to press a key to continue and Chameleon will proceed to download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for you.
    6. Once it has done this, it will attempt to update Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, click OK when it says that the database was updated successfully
    7. Next, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will automatically open and perform a Quick scan
    8. Upon completion of the scan, if anything has been detected, click on Show Results
    9. Have Malwarebytes Anti-Malware remove any threats that are detected and click Yes if prompted to reboot your computer to allow the removal process to complete
    10. After your computer restarts, open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and perform one last Quick scan to verify that there are no remaining threats




  • If Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is already installed on the infected computer.
    In order for this to work, you must already have Malwarebytes Anti-Malware version 1.60 or later already installed on your infected PC.
    1. Open the program folder for Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (normally C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware or C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware)
    2. Once there, open the Chameleon folder
    3. Next, double-click on svchost.exe. This should result in a black DOS/command prompt window opening up.
    4. Press any key to continue as it says in the window
    5. Malwarebytes Chameleon will proceed to update Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, so ensure that you are connected to the internet if possible
    6. Once the update completes and it says your database is updated, click on OK
    7. Malwarebytes Chameleon will then terminate any threats running in memory, which may take a while, so please be patient
    8. Upon completion, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will open automatically and perform a Quick scan
    9. Once the scan is complete, click on Show Results and remove any threats that are found by clicking Remove Selected
    10. If prompted to restart your computer to complete the removal process, click Yes
    11. After your computer restarts, open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and perform one last Quick scan to verify that there are no remaining threats




Below is what you can expect to see in the Command prompt after succesfully using Chameleon.
chameleon16211000.png


Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of Coolbird?

The miner installs a hidden system folder: C:\ProgramData\{$3846-5431-7124-6958$}
To remove this folder you will need to temporarily change your folder options.

  • Windows 8 : "Options" > "Change folder and search options"
  • Windows 7 : "Organize" > "Folder and search options"
  • Vista and XP: "Tools" > "Folder options"

Under the "View" tab choose to "Show hidden files and folders"
and uncheck the option "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)"
Then you should be able to find the hidden system folder.
SystemFiles.png
I would advise to re-check the option "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)" when you are done.

How would the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware help protect me?

We hope our application has helped you eradicate this malicious software. If your current security solution let this infection through, you might please consider purchasing the FULL version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for additional protection.

As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware would have protected you against the Coolbird miner. It would have warned you before the miner could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.


protection1.png


Technical details for experts

Signs in a HijackThis log:

Running processes:C:\ProgramData\{$3846-5431-7124-6958$}\msconfig.exeC:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\cvtres.exe

Alterations made by the installer:
File system details---------------------------------------------Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\{$3846-5431-7124-6958$}Adds the file cmd.ini"="8-12-2013 12:41, 1511936 bytes, AAdds the file msconfig.exe"="6-12-2013 13:12, 328192 bytes, RHSAdds the file window.ini"="8-12-2013 12:41, 44 bytes, AIn existing folder C:\Users\{username}\DesktopAdds the file 8a6b2565913caaadf755b013a8c7d11b_undefined.exeIn existing folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\AppLunchAdds the file WinUpdate.exe

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.75.0.1300www.malwarebytes.orgDatabase version: v2013.12.08.02Windows 7 Service Pack 1 x86 NTFSInternet Explorer 10.0.9200.16721Malwarebytes :: MBAMPC [administrator]12/8/2013 6:21:19 PMmbam-log-2013-12-08 (18-21-19).txtScan type: Quick scanScan options enabled: Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristics/Extra | Heuristics/Shuriken | PUP | PUMScan options disabled: P2PObjects scanned: 186511Time elapsed: 2 minute(s), 44 second(s)Memory Processes Detected: 1C:\ProgramData\{$3846-5431-7124-6958$}\msconfig.exe (Trojan.MSIL) -> 4040 -> Delete on reboot.Memory Modules Detected: 0(No malicious items detected)Registry Keys Detected: 0(No malicious items detected)Registry Values Detected: 0(No malicious items detected)Registry Data Items Detected: 0(No malicious items detected)Folders Detected: 0(No malicious items detected)Files Detected: 3C:\ProgramData\{$3846-5431-7124-6958$}\msconfig.exe (Trojan.MSIL) -> Delete on reboot.C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\8a6b2565913caaadf755b013a8c7d11b_undefined.exe (Trojan.MSIL) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\AppLunch\WinUpdate.exe (Trojan.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.(end)

As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware could have protected your computer against this threat.
We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):
  • Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
  • Malware Execution Prevention


Save yourself the hassle and get protected.

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