[nsao] Emailing: w32.novarg.a@mm.htm
- From: nsao@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- To: <nsao@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 13:31:07 -0500
Hello,
Sorry to bother everyone, but I wanted to notify as many people as
possible about a new virus that is spreading rapidly. Please take the
time to protect your system by running Windows Updates and reading the
following notice information from Symantec.
Thanks,
Adam Corder
Network Solutions And Optimization
Partner
5692 Pontiac Circle NW
North Canton, Ohio 44720
PH: 330.966.8097
Fax: 330.266.0247
www.nsao.com
adamc@xxxxxxxx
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W32.Novarg.A@mm
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/threat.severity.html#cate
gory>
Discovered on: January 26, 2004
Last Updated on: January 27, 2004 09:56:42 AM
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/pf/w32.novarg.a
@mm.html>
W32.Novarg.A@mm is a mass-mailing worm that arrives as an attachment
with the file extension .bat, .cmd, .exe, .pif, .scr, or .zip.
When a computer is infected, the worm will set up a backdoor into the
system by opening TCP ports 3127 through 3198, which can potentially
allow an attacker to connect to the computer and use it as a proxy to
gain access to its network resources.
In addition, the backdoor can download and execute arbitrary files.
The worm will perform a Denial of Service (DoS) starting on February 1,
2004. It also has a trigger date to stop spreading on February 12, 2004.
________________________________
Note:
* Symantec Consumer products that support Worm Blocking
functionality automatically detect this threat as it attempts to spread.
* Symantec Security Response has developed a removal tool
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.novarg.a@mm
.removal.tool.html> to clean the infections of W32.Novarg.A@mm
________________________________
Also Known As
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#aka> :
W32/Mydoom@MM [McAfee], WORM_MIMAIL.R [Trend]
Type: Worm
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#worm>
Infection Length
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#length> :
22,528 bytes
Systems Affected
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#systemsaffected
> : Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT,
Windows Server 2003, Windows XP
Systems Not Affected
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#systemsnotaffec
ted> : DOS, Linux, Macintosh, OS/2, UNIX, Windows 3.x
* Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater)
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#iudefs> *
January 26, 2004
* Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate(tm))
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#ludefs> **
January 26, 2004
*
Intelligent Updater definitions are released daily, but require manual
download and installation.
Click here
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/defs.download.html> to
download manually.
**
LiveUpdate virus definitions are usually released every Wednesday.
Click here
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/sharedtech.nsf/docid/1999121613163
206> for instructions on using LiveUpdate.
Wild <http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#Wild> :
* Number of infections
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#infect> : More
than 1000
* Number of sites
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#sites> : More
than 10
* Geographical distribution
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#geo_distributio
n> : Medium
* Threat containment
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#containment> :
Easy
* Removal
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#removal> :
Moderate
Threat Metrics
Wild <http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#Wild> :
High
Damage <http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#Damage>
:
Medium
Distribution
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#Distribution> :
High
Damage <http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#Damage>
* Payload Trigger
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#payload> : n/a
* Payload
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#payload> : n/a
* Large scale e-mailing
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#email> : Sends
to email addresses found in a specified set of files. It ignores email
addresses that end in .edu.
* Deletes files
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#files> : n/a
* Modifies files
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#modify> : n/a
* Degrades performance
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#performance> :
Performs DoS against www.sco.com.
* Causes system instability
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#unstable> : n/a
* Releases confidential info
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#information> :
n/a
* Compromises security settings
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#security> :
Allows unauthorized remote access.
Distribution
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#Distribution>
* Subject of email
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#subject> :
Varies
* Name of attachment
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#name> : Varies
with an extension of .pif, .scr, .exe, .cmd, .bat, or .zip.
* Size of attachment
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#size> : 22,258
bytes
* Time stamp of attachment
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#stamp> : n/a
* Ports
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#ports> : TCP
3127-3198
* Shared drives
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#shared> : n/a
* Target of infection
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#target> : n/a
When W32.Novarg.A@mm is executed, it does the following:
1. Creates the following files:
* %System%\Shimgapi.dll: Shimgapi.dll acts as a proxy
server, opening TCP listening ports in the range of 3127 to 3198. The
backdoor also has the ability to download and execute arbitrary files.
* %Temp%\Message: This file contains random letters and is
displayed using Notepad.
* %System%\Taskmon.exe: (If a copy of Taskmon.exe exists
in the %System% folder, this copy of the worm overwrites and replaces
it.)
________________________________
Notes:
* Taskmon.exe is a legitimate file in the Windows 95/98/Me
operating systems, but is in the %Windir% folder, not the %System%
folder. (By default, this is C:\Windows or C:\Winnt) Do not delete the
legitimate file that is in the %Windir% folder.
* %System% is a variable: The worm locates the System
folder and copies itself to that location. By default, this is
C:\Windows\System (Windows 95/98/Me), C:\Winnt\System32 (Windows
NT/2000), or C:\Windows\System32 (Windows XP).
* %Temp% is a variable: The worm locates the temporary
folder and copies itself to that location. By default, this is
C:\Windows\TEMP (Windows 95/98/Me), or C:\WINNT\Temp (Windows NT/2000),
or C:\Document and Settings\<UserName>\Local Settings\Temp (Windows XP).
________________________________
2. Adds the value:
"(Default)" = "%System%\shimgapi.dll"
to the registry key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{E6FB5E20-DE35-11CF-9C87-00AA005127ED}\InProcSer
ver32
so that Explorer.exe loads Shimgapi.dll.
3. Adds the value:
"TaskMon" = "%System%\taskmon.exe"
to the registry keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
so that TaskMon is run when you start Windows.
4. Attempts to perform a DoS attack against www.sco.com by creating
64 threads that send GET requests and use a direct connection to port
80.
________________________________
Note: The DoS is active between February 1, 2004 and February
12, 2004.
________________________________
5. Creates the following registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\ComDlg32\Version
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\ComDlg32\Version
6. Searches for email addresses in the files with the following
extensions.
* .htm
* .sht
* .php
* .asp
* .dbx
* .tbb
* .adb
* .pl
* .wab
* .txt
________________________________
Note: It ignores the addresses that end in .edu.
________________________________
7. Attempts to send email messages using its own SMTP engine. The
worm looks up the mail server that the recipient uses before sending the
email. If it is unsuccessful, it will use the local mail server instead.
8. The email will have the following characteristics:
From: May be a spoofed from address
Subject:
(one of the following)
* test
* hi
* hello
* Mail Delivery System
* Mail Transaction Failed
* Server Report
* Status
* Error
Message:
(one of the following)
* Mail transaction failed. Partial message is available.
* The message contains Unicode characters and has been
sent as a binary attachment.
* The message cannot be represented in 7-bit ASCII
encoding and has been sent as a binary attachment.
* Attachment:
(one of the following)
* document
* readme
* doc
* text
* file
* data
* test
* message
* body
________________________________
Notes:
* The attachment may have two suffixes. If so, the first
suffix will be one of the following:
* .htm
* .txt
* .doc
* The worm will always end with one of the following
suffixes:
* .pif
* .scr
* .exe
* .cmd
* .bat
* .zip
* The displayed icon will look like:
unless the worm has .exe or .scr for an extension, in
which case, the file will use the following icon:
________________________________
9. Copies itself to the Kazaa download folder as one of the following
files:
* winamp5
* icq2004-final
* activation_crack
* strip-girl-2.0bdcom_patches
* rootkitXP
* office_crack
* nuke2004
with a file extension of:
* .pif
* .scr
* .bat
* .exe
Intruder Alert
Symantec has released the Intruder Alert 3.6 W32_Novarg_Worm Policy
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/security/Content/2004.01.
26.html> .
Symantec ManHunt
Security Update 16
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/security/Content/2004.01.
26a.html> has been released to provide signatures specific to the
backdoor activity associated with the W32.Novarg.A@mm Worm.
In addition, Symantec ManHunt 2.2/3.0/3.01 customers can apply the
following signature to detect the attempted DoS against www.sco.com.
This DoS will start occurring on February 1,2004. On February 12, 2004
the worm has a trigger date to stop spreading. This signature will help
in determining from which machines the request is being made.
*******************start file********************
alert tcp any any -> any 80 (msg:"W32_Novarg_SCO_DOS"; content:"GET /
HTTP/1.1|0d0a|Host: www.sco.com|0d0a0d0a|"; offset:0; dsize:37;)
*************EOF*********************
For more information on creating custom signatures, refer to the
"Symantec ManHunt Administrative Guide: Appendix A Custom Signatures for
HYBRID Mode."
Symantec Security Response encourages all users and administrators to
adhere to the following basic security "best practices":
* Turn off and remove unneeded services. By default, many
operating systems install auxiliary services that are not critical, such
as an FTP server, telnet, and a Web server. These services are avenues
of attack. If they are removed, blended threats have less avenues of
attack and you have fewer services to maintain through patch updates.
* If a blended threat
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#blended_threat>
exploits one or more network services, disable, or block access to,
those services until a patch is applied.
* Always keep your patch levels up-to-date, especially on
computers that host public services and are accessible through the
firewall, such as HTTP, FTP, mail, and DNS services.
* Enforce a password policy. Complex passwords make it difficult
to crack password files on compromised computers. This helps to prevent
or limit damage when a computer is compromised.
* Configure your email server to block or remove email that
contains file attachments that are commonly used to spread viruses, such
as .vbs, .bat, .exe, .pif and .scr files.
* Isolate infected computers quickly to prevent further
compromising your organization. Perform a forensic analysis and restore
the computers using trusted media.
* Train employees not to open attachments unless they are
expecting them. Also, do not execute software that is downloaded from
the Internet unless it has been scanned for viruses. Simply visiting a
compromised Web site can cause infection if certain browser
vulnerabilities are not patched.
The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec
antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton
AntiVirus product lines.
1. Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
2. Update the virus definitions.
3. Restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode.
4. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as
W32.Novarg.A@mm.
5. Delete and modify the value that was added to the registry.
For specific details on each of these steps, read the following
instructions.
1. Disabling 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:
* "How to disable or enable Windows Me System Restore
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/20010125131222
39?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam> "
* "How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/20011119122740
39?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam> "
________________________________
Note: When you are completely finished with the removal procedure and
are satisfied that the threat has been removed, re-enable 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
<http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q263/4/55.ASP> ,"
Article ID: Q263455.
2. Updating 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 the Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate).
* Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The
Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted on U.S. business days
(Monday through Friday). 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 the Virus Definitions (Intelligent
Updater).
The Intelligent Updater virus definitions
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/defs.download.html> are
available:
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/defs.download.html> Read
"How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nav.nsf/docid/1998082013035306?Ope
nDocument&src=sec_doc_nam> " for detailed instructions.
3. Restarting the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode
Shut down the computer and turn off the power. Wait for at least 30
seconds, and then restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode.
* For Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, or XP users, restart the computer
in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document, "How to start the
computer in Safe Mode
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/20010524094204
06?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam> ."
* For Windows NT 4 users, restart the computer in VGA mode.
4. Scanning for and deleting the infected files
a. Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is
configured to scan all the files.
* For Norton AntiVirus consumer products: Read the
document, "How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nav.nsf/docid/1999110513272906?Ope
nDocument&src=sec_doc_nam> ."
* For Symantec AntiVirus Enterprise products: Read the
document, "How to verify that a Symantec Corporate antivirus product is
set to scan all files
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/ent-security.nsf/docid/20020522131
25148?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam> ."
b. Run a full system scan.
c. If any files are detected as infected with W32.Novarg.A@mm,
click Delete.
5. Deleting and modifying the value from the registry
________________________________
WARNING: 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
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/199762382617?O
penDocument&src=sec_doc_nam> ," for instructions.
________________________________
a. Click Start, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
b. Type regedit
Then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)
c. Navigate to each of these keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
d. In the right pane, delete the value:
"Taskmon"="%System%\taskmon.exe"
e. Delete the key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\ComDlg32\Version
f. Delete the key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\ComDlg32\Version
g. Navigate to the key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{E6FB5E20-DE35-11CF-9C87-00AA005127ED}\InProcSer
ver32
h. Do one of the following, depending on your operating system:
* Windows NT/2000/XP
* In the right pane, double-click (Default)
* In the Value data field, change the text to the
following:
%SystemRoot%\System32\webcheck.dll
* Click OK.
* Windows 95/98/Me
* In the right pane, double-click (Default)
* In the Value data field, change the text to the
following:
Windows\System\webcheck.dll
* Click OK.
i. Exit the Registry Editor.
Additional information:
When W32.Novarg.A@mm sends email, it avoids distributing to domains that
contain any of the following strings:
* avp
* syma
* icrosof
* msn.
* hotmail
* panda
* sopho
* borlan
* inpris
* example
* mydomai
* nodomai
* ruslis
* .gov
* gov.
* .mil
* foo.
* berkeley
* unix
* math
* bsd
* mit.e
* gnu
* fsf.
* ibm.com
* google
* kernel
* linux
* fido
* usenet
* iana
* ietf
* rfc-ed
* sendmail
* arin.
* ripe.
* isi.e
* isc.o
* secur
* acketst
* pgp
* tanford.e
* utgers.ed
* mozilla
accounts that match any of the following strings:
* root
* info
* samples
* postmaster
* webmaster
* noone
* nobody
* nothing
* anyone
* someone
* your
* you
* me
* bugs
* rating
* site
* contact
* soft
* no
* somebody
* privacy
* service
* help
* not
* submit
* feste
* ca
* gold-certs
* the.bat
* page
or accounts that contain any of the following strings:
* admin
* icrosoft
* support
* ntivi
* unix
* bsd
* linux
* listserv
* certific
* google
* accoun
Revision History:
January 27, 2004: Updated with link to removal tool for W32.Novarg.A@mm
Write-up by: Peter Ferrie and Tony Lee
Network Solutions And Optimization, LLC., 5692 Pontiac Circle N.W., North
Canton, Ohio, www.nsao.com
Other related posts:
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