Removal instructions for CleanUp Antivirus Options

[Metallica]

What is CleanUp Antivirus?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that CleanUp Antivirus is a fake anti-malware application. These so-called "rogues" use intentional false positives to convince users that their systems have been compromised. Then they try to sell you their software, claiming it will remove these threats. In extreme cases the false threats are actually the very trojans that advertise or even directly install the rogue. You are strongly advised to follow our removal instructions below.

How do I know if I am infected with CleanUp Antivirus?

This is how the main screen of the rogue application looks:



You will find these icons on your desktop and in your taskbar:



And see these warnings:





How did CleanUp Antivirus get on my computer?

Rogue programs use different methods for spreading themselves. This particular one uses fake online scanners.

How do I remove CleanUp Antivirus?

Our program Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware can detect and remove this rogue application.

• Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware to your desktop.
• Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
• At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to the following:
  
  
  • Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
  • Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
  
  
• Then click Finish.
• If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
• Once the program has loaded, select Perform quick scan, then click Scan.
• When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
• Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected. Reboot your computer if prompted.
• When completed, a log will open in Notepad. The rogue application should now be gone.

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

• The rogue replaces your hosts file, so you may have to restore the old one. You can find third-party hosts file alternatives at hpHosts or at mvps.org or you can simply reset the default hosts file as outlined here by Microsoft.

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 CleanUp Antivirus rogue. It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.





Technical details for experts

Signs in a HijackThis log:

CODE

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\aa3e2\CU172.exe

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CleanUp Antivirus] "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\aa3e2\CU172.exe" /s /d

Note: the folder and filename are random but the filename will start with CU

Alterations made by the installer:

CODE

  File System
  ===============
    Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\aa3e2
      Adds the file CUA.ico"="20:29 10/03/10 4286 bytes
      Adds the file CU172.exe"="23:59 09/03/10 3060224 bytes
    Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\CUBYSOAXOA
      Adds the file CULCHA.cfg"="20:33 10/03/10 17092 bytes
    Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\CleanUp Antivirus
      Adds the file Instructions.ini"="20:31 10/03/10 1177 bytes
    In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
      Adds the file CleanUp Antivirus.lnk"="20:29 10/03/10 1772 bytes
    In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop
      Adds the file CleanUp Antivirus.lnk"="20:29 10/03/10 1754 bytes
    In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\CleanUP Antivirus
      Adds the file 251.mof"="20:29 10/03/10 332 bytes
    Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\CleanUP Antivirus\CUASys
      Adds the file vd952342.bd"="20:29 10/03/10 11537 bytes
    Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\CleanUP Antivirus\Quarantine Items
    In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu
      Adds the file CleanUp Antivirus.lnk"="20:29 10/03/10 1754 bytes
    In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs
      Adds the file CleanUp Antivirus.lnk"="20:29 10/03/10 1760 bytes
    In the existing folder C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc
      Alters the file hosts
        13:00 28/02/06 734 bytes ==> 20:30 10/03/10 2747 bytes

  Registry
  ===============
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xp_e13b7[1].DocHostUIHandler]
      "(Default)"="'Implements DocHostUIHandler'"
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xp_e13b7[1].DocHostUIHandler\Clsid]
      "(Default)"="'{3F2BBC05-40DF-11D2-9455-00104BC936FF}'"
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{3F2BBC05-40DF-11D2-9455-00104BC936FF}]
      "(Default)"="'Implements DocHostUIHandler'"
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{3F2BBC05-40DF-11D2-9455-00104BC936FF}\ProgID]
      "(Default)"="'xp_e13b7[1].DocHostUIHandler'"
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{3F2BBC05-40DF-11D2-9455-00104BC936FF}\LocalServer32
      "(Default)"="'C:\DOCUME~1\{username}\Desktop\CLEANU~1\XP_E13~1.EXE'"
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes]
      "URL"="'http://findgala.com/?&uid=7&q={searchTerms}'"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options]
      "Debugger"="'svchost.exe'"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\_avp32.exe]
      "Debugger"="'svchost.exe'"
<snipped long list of IFEO hijacks>
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\zonealarm.exe]
      "Debugger"="'svchost.exe'"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\install.exe]
      "Debugger"="'svchost.exe'"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes]
      "URL"="'http://findgala.com/?&uid=7&q={searchTerms}'"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes]
      "URL"="'http://findgala.com/?&uid=7&q={searchTerms}'"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
      "CleanUp Antivirus"="'"C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\aa3e2\CU172.exe" /s /d'"

Note: The CLSID {3F2BBC05-40DF-11D2-9455-00104BC936FF} was used in a popular coding example, so could also be in use by legitimate applications.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware log:

CODE

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.44
Database version: 3848
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 6.0.2900.2180

3/10/2010 8:40:01 PM
mbam-log-2010-03-10 (20-39-59).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 104343
Time elapsed: 2 minute(s), 38 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 1
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 760
Registry Values Infected: 15
Registry Data Items Infected: 8
Folders Infected: 1
Files Infected: 4

Memory Processes Infected:
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\CleanUP Antivirus\xp_e13b7[1].exe (Rogue.CleanUpAntivirus) -> Unloaded process successfully.

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\brastk.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
<snipped long list of IFEO hijacks>
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msfwsvc.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\cleanup antivirus (Rogue.CleanUpAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy
\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\List\c:\documents and settings\metallica\desktop\cleanup antivirus\xp_e13b7[1].exe (Rogue.CleanUpAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\taskmgr.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\Arrakis3.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\bdagent.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\bdreinit.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\bdsubwiz.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\bdtkexec.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\bdwizreg.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\livesrv.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\uiscan.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\upgrepl.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\vsserv.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\seccenter.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\install.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Infected:
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=7&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-18\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=7&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-19\SOFTWARE\Classes\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=7&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-19\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=7&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-20\SOFTWARE\Classes\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=7&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-20\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=7&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=7&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=7&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Folders Infected:
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\CleanUp Antivirus (Rogue.CleanUpAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Files Infected:
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\CleanUP Antivirus\xp_e13b7[1].exe (Rogue.CleanUpAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\CleanUp Antivirus\Instructions.ini (Rogue.CleanUpAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\CleanUp Antivirus.LNK (Rogue.CleanUpAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\CleanUp Antivirus.LNK (Rogue.CleanUpAntivirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

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.