W32.Spybot.Worm

W32.Spybot.Worm is a detection for a family of worms that spreads using the Kazaa file-sharing network and mIRC. This worm can also spread to computers that are compromised by common back door Trojan horses and on network shares protected by weak passwords.

W32.Spybot.Worm can perform various actions by connecting to a configurable IRC server and joining a specific channel to listen for instructions. Newer variants may also spread by exploiting the following vulnerabilities:

• The DCOM RPC Vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-026) using TCP port 135.
• The Microsoft Windows Local Security Authority Service Remote Buffer Overflow (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-011).
• The vulnerabilities in the Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or MSDE 2000 audit (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS02-061) using UDP port 1434.
• The WebDav Vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-007) using TCP port 80.
• The UPnP NOTIFY Buffer Overflow Vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS01-059).
• The Workstation Service Buffer Overrun Vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-049) using TCP port 445.
  Windows XP users are protected against this vulnerability if the patch in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-043 has been applied. Windows 2000 users must apply the patch in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-049.
• The Microsoft Windows SSL Library Denial of Service Vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-011).
• The VERITAS Backup Exec Agent Browser Remote Buffer Overflow Vulnerability (as described here).
• The Microsoft Windows Plug and Play Buffer Overflow Vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-039).
• The Microsoft Windows Server Service Remote Buffer Overflow Vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-040).
• Symantec Client Security and Symantec AntiVirus Elevation of privilege (as described in Symantec Advisory SYM06-010).
  
  Notes:
  
• Recent variants of the Spybot worm family exploit several known vulnerabilities, including a SAV 10/SCS 3 vulnerability (SYM06-010), reported in May 2006. A patch for this vulnerability was made available at that time. Symantec highly recommends that users of the affected products patch their systems as soon as they are able to help avoid the spread of this particular Sybot worm family. If systems are infected with any Spybot variant and this security patch has not been applied please read the document, Attempting to migrate from 10.x to a newer version fails after becoming infected with a worm which exploits SYM06-010.
• IPS signatures against all known and unknown exploits of SYM06-010 were released on May 26, 2006.
• Excessive network traffic caused by an infection may result in a significant degradation of network performance.
• Please note that this detection is modified on a daily basis and as such it is recommended that virus definitions be updated frequently.

Protection

• Initial Rapid Release version April 16, 2003
• Latest Rapid Release version July 5, 2008 revision 005
• Initial Daily Certified version April 16, 2003
• Latest Daily Certified version July 5, 2008 revision 018
• Initial Weekly Certified release date April 16, 2003

Click here for a more detailed description of Rapid Release and Daily Certified virus definitions.

Threat Assessment

Wild

• Wild Level: Low
• Number of Infections: 0 - 49
• Number of Sites: 0 - 2
• Geographical Distribution: Medium
• Threat Containment: Easy
• Removal: Moderate

Damage

• Damage Level: Medium
• Releases Confidential Info: Sends personal data to an IRC channel.
• Compromises Security Settings: Allows unauthorized commands to be executed on a compromised computer.

Distribution

• Distribution Level: High
• Shared Drives: Spreads using the KaZaA file-sharing network, as well as through mIRC.
• Target of Infection: Remotely exploitable vulnerabilities.