Command Processor AutoRun - Registry Value

This section provides a tutorial example on how to review the HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Command Processor registry key. The registry value AutoRun = C:\WINDOWS\system32\sovhst.exe was removed.

While using the command window program, cmd.exe, I noticed a strange error:

Click Start > Run, enter "cmd" and press Enter, the following message shows up:

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.
'C:\WINDOWS\system32\sovhst.exe' is not recognized as an internal 
or external command, operable program or batch file.

My guess was that the PWS Trojan changed the AutoRun registry value. I browsed the registry tree with regedit.exe and found this:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Command Processor
   AutoRun   C:\WINDOWS\system32\sovhst.exe

I changed the value of AutoRun to blank, and tested "cmd" again. The problem went away.

Table of Contents

 About This Windows Security Book

 Windows 8: System Security Review

 Windows 8: System Security Protection

 Windows 8 System Recovery

 Windows 8 Defender for Real-Time Protection

 Windows 7: System Security Review

 Windows 7: System Security Protection

 Windows 7 System Recovery

 Windows 7 Forefront Client Security

 Norton Power Eraser - Anti-Virus Scan Tool

 McAfee Virus and Malware Protection Tools

 Spybot - Spyware Blocker, Detection and Removal

 Keeping Firefox Secure

 Keeping IE (Internet Explorer) Secure

 Malware (Adware, Spyware, Trojan, Worm, and Virus)

 HijackThis - Browser Hijacker Diagnosis Tool

 IE Add-on Program Listing and Removal

 "Conduit Search" - Malware Detection and Removal

 "Tube Dimmer", "Scorpion Saver" or "Adpeak" Malware

 Malware Manual Removal Experience

 Vundo (VirtuMonde/VirtuMundo) - vtsts.dll Removal

 Trojan and Malware "Puper" Description and Removal

 VSToolbar (VSAdd-in.dll) - Description and Removal

PWS (Password Stealer) Trojan Infection Removal

 What Is PWS (Password Stealer) Trojan?

 JS/Downloader.gen - JavaScript Downloader Malware

 PWS-Mmorpg.gen - A Password Stealer Trojan

 heb.exe - The Trojan Installer Program

 .exe and .dll Files Installed by the Trojan

 my.exe - A Second PWS Trojan Infection

 .exe and .dll Files of the Second Trojan

 Explorer.EXE Trying to Install a Trojan

 AccessProtectionLog.txt Log File Records

 ATF-Cleaner.exe - Temporary File Remover

 Trajon Files Left in the System Folder

 Removing PWS Trojan Files

 Removing PWS Trojan Startup Entries

Command Processor AutoRun - Registry Value

 UserInit - Winlogon Registry Key

 js.users.51.la - hosts File Entries

 Image File Execution Options - Registry Key

 regedit.exe Not Working

 MS08-001 Vulnerability on Windows Systems

 Antivirus System PRO

 References

 Full Version in PDF/ePUB