Discovered: September 13, 2004
Updated: February 13, 2007 12:43:49 PM
Also Known As: AdWare.ToolBar.EliteBar.z [Kas, Adware-EliteBar.dll [McAfee], Adware/EliteBar [Panda], ADW_ELITEBAR.N [Trend Micro]
Type: Trojan Horse
Systems Affected: Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP
The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.
- Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
- Remove all the entries that the risk added to the hosts file.
- Update the virus definitions.
- To scan for and delete the infected files.
- Delete any values added to the registry.
- Reset the Internet Explorer home page.
- Delete the Web sites added to the Internet Explorer Favorites menu.
- Reset the Internet Explorer search page.
For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.
1. To disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP)
If you are running Windows Me or Windows XP, we recommend that you temporarily turn off System Restore. Windows Me/XP uses this feature, which is enabled by default, to restore the files on your computer in case they become damaged. If a virus, worm, or Trojan infects a computer, System Restore may back up the virus, worm, or Trojan on the computer.
Windows prevents outside programs, including antivirus programs, from modifying System Restore. Therefore, antivirus programs or tools cannot remove threats in the System Restore folder. As a result, System Restore has the potential of restoring an infected file on your computer, even after you have cleaned the infected files from all the other locations.
Also, a virus scan may detect a threat in the System Restore folder even though you have removed the threat.
For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows documentation, or one of the following articles:
Note: When you are completely finished with the removal procedure and are satisfied that the threat has been removed, reenable System Restore by following the instructions in the aforementioned documents.
For additional information, and an alternative to disabling Windows Me System Restore, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article:
Antivirus Tools Cannot Clean Infected Files in the _Restore Folder (Article ID: Q263455).
2. To remove all the entries that the risk added to the hosts file
- Navigate to the following location:
- Windows 95/98/Me:
%Windir%
- Windows NT/2000/XP:
%Windir%\System32\drivers\etc
Notes:
- The location of the hosts file may vary and some computers may not have this file. There may also be multiple copies of this file in different locations. If the file is not located in these folders, search your disk drives for the hosts file, and then complete the following steps for each instance found.
- %Windir% is a variable that refers to the Windows installation folder. By default, this is C:\Windows (Windows 95/98/Me/XP) or C:\Winnt (Windows NT/2000).
- Double-click the hosts file.
- If necessary, deselect the "Always use this program to open this program" check box.
- Scroll through the list of programs and double-click Notepad.
- When the file opens, delete all the entries added by the risk. (See the Technical Details section for a complete list of entries.)
- Close Notepad and save your changes when prompted.
3. To update the virus definitions
Symantec Security Response fully tests all the virus definitions for quality assurance before they are posted to our servers. There are two ways to obtain the most recent virus definitions:
- Running LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions: These virus definitions are posted to the LiveUpdate servers once each week (usually on Wednesdays), unless there is a major virus outbreak. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by LiveUpdate, refer to Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate).
- Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted daily. You should download the definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site and manually install them. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, refer to Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater).
The latest Intelligent Updater virus definitions can be obtained here: Intelligent Updater virus definitions. For detailed instructions read the document: How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater.
4. To scan for and delete the infected files
- Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
- Run a full system scan.
- If any files are detected, click Delete.
Important: If you are unable to start your Symantec antivirus product or the product reports that it cannot delete a detected file, you may need to stop the risk from running in order to remove it. To do this, run the scan in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document,
How to start the computer in Safe Mode. Once you have restarted in Safe mode, run the scan again.
After the files are deleted, restart the computer in Normal mode and proceed with the next section.
Warning messages may be displayed when the computer is restarted, since the threat may not be fully removed at this point. You can ignore these messages and click OK. These messages will not appear when the computer is restarted after the removal instructions have been fully completed. The messages displayed may be similar to the following:
Title: [FILE PATH]
Message body: Windows cannot find [FILE NAME]. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search.
5. To delete the value from the registry
Important: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before making any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify the specified keys only. Read the document, "
How to make a backup of the Windows registry," for instructions.
- Click Start > Run.
- Type regedit
Then click OK.
- Navigate to the key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- In the right pane, delete the value:
"Sys29" = "%System%\win[3 RANDOM LETTERS]32.exe
"kalvsys" = "%System%\kalv[3 RANDOM LETTERS]32.exe"
"etbrun" = "%System%\elit[3 RANDOM LETTERS]32.exe"
"antiware" = "%System%\elit[3 RANDOM LETTERS]32.exe"
"System Service[NUMBER]" = "%windir%\etb\pokapoka[NUMBER].exe"
- Depending on which version of Trojan.EliteBar you are infected with, you will need delete some of the following registry keys:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{DBF33E89-1784-42AC-ADE4-A428F56550A3}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{A9B28EF6-ABF3-463B-A3D8-4D0D0BADFADC}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{a74cd7de-ea6f-11d4-abf3-000102378429}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{276B0903-EB4B-46FF-8304-F093DEF69DE7}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{4AFF987A-773B-48E4-AEE8-08EBDDBDADF8}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{CAAB3B3F-E815-47D9-94FD-8BB9143C0077}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{ED646219-20BF-41E5-80FD-EE49021DA599}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{a74cd7dd-ea6f-11d4-abf3-000102378429}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{CA9FC31A-6F35-4493-B629-E64BD6170A17}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{8AA59E15-6E81-415C-B299-1ADFB50C8E1A}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{02C20140-76F8-4763-83D5-B660107BABCD}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0A1D22C3-37BE-470C-9C29-E3074EE0574B
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{BE8D0059-D24D-4919-B76F-99F4A2203647}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{A74CD7DD-EA6F-11D4-ABF3-000102378429}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{ED103D9F-3070-4580-AB1E-E5C179C1AE41}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{28CAEFF3-0F18-4036-B504-51D73BD81ABC}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{825CF5BD-8862-4430-B771-0C15C5CA8DEF}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CGBand.BHO
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CGBand.BHO.1
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CGBand.UICGBandObj
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CGBand.UICGBandObj.1
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CGBand.CGBandObj
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CGBand.CGBandObj.1
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\PLOT.PlotCtrl.1
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\LQ
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Winrar\File List
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Winrar\Profiles
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer
\Toolbar\WebBrowser\{825CF5BD-8862-4430-B771-0C15C5CA8DEF}
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\ohbbackup\EliteToolBar
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Elitum\EliteSideBar
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Elitum\EliteToolBar
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer
\Toolbar\{825CF5BD-8862-4430-B771-0C15C5CA8DEF}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects
\{ED103D9F-3070-4580-AB1E-E5C179C1AE41}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects
\{28CAEFF3-0F18-4036-B504-51D73BD81ABC}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Uninstall\EliteBar Internet Explorer Toolbar
- Exit the Registry Editor.
6. To reset the Internet Explorer home page
This step does not need to be taken, if the threat has not modified this setting.
- Start Microsoft Internet Explorer.
- Connect to the Internet, and then go to the page that you want to set as your home page.
- Click Tools > Internet Options.
- In the Home page section of the General tab, click Use Current > OK.
For additional information, or if this procedure does not work, read the Microsoft® Knowledge Base article, "
Home Page Setting Changes Unexpectedly, or You Cannot Change Your Home Page Setting, Article ID 320159."
7. To delete the Web sites added to the Internet Explorer Favorites menu
- Start Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Click Favorites > Organize Favorites
- Delete the Favorites added by the risk
8. To reset the Internet Explorer Search page
This step does not need to be taken, if the threat has not modified this setting.
Follow the instructions for your version of Windows.
Windows 98/Me/2000
- Start Microsoft Internet Explorer.
- Click the Search button on the toolbar.
- In the Search pane, click Customize.
- Click Reset.
- Click Autosearch Settings.
- Select a search site from the drop-down list, and then click OK.
- Click OK.
Windows XP
Because Windows XP is set by default to use animated characters in the search, how you do this can vary. Read all the instructions before you start.
- Start Microsoft Internet Explorer.
- Click the Search button on the toolbar.
- Do one of the following:
- If the pane that opens looks similar to this picture:

click the word Customize. Then skip to step h.
- If the pane that opens has the words "Search Companion" at the top, and the center looks similar to this picture:

click the Change preferences link as shown above. Proceed with step d.
- Click the Change Internet search behavior link.
- Under "Internet Search Behavior," click With Classic Internet Search.
- Click OK. Then close Internet Explorer. (Close the program for the change to take effect.)
- Start Internet Explorer. When the search pane opens, it should now look similar to this:

Click the word Customize, and then proceed with the next step.
- In the Search pane, click Customize.
- Click Reset.
- Click Autosearch Settings.
- Select a search site from the drop-down list, and then click OK.
- Click OK.
- Do one of the following:
- If you were using (or want to continue using) the "Classic Internet Search" panel, stop here (or proceed with the next section).
- If you want to go back to the "Search Companion" search (it usually has an animated character at the button), proceed with step n.
- Click the word Customize again.
- In the "Customize Search Settings" window, click Use Search Companion > OK.
- Close Internet Explorer. The next time you open it, it will again use the Search Companion.
Writeup By: Yousef Hazimee