W32.Hairy.A

Risk Level 2: Low

Printer Friendly Page

Discovered: July 4, 2007
Updated: July 4, 2007 4:09:55 PM
Also Known As: W32/Hairy-A [Sophos], WORM_HAIRY.A [Trend], Worm:W32/Hairy.A [F-Secure]
Type: Worm
Infection Length: 224,340 bytes
Systems Affected: Windows 98, Windows 95, Windows XP, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000

When the worm is executed, it creates the following files:
  • %SystemDrive%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\HarryPotter-TheDeathlyHallows.exe
  • %Windir%\Cache\HarryPotter-TheDeathlyHallows.exe
  • %Windir%\Tempt\talk.bat
  • %SystemDrive%\harry potter.txt
  • %SystemDrive%\HarryPotter-TheDeathlyHallows.doc

The worm then creates the following registry entry, so that it starts when Windows starts:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\"talk" = "%Windir%\Tempt\talk.bat"

The worm also modifies the following registry entries, which change various settings in Windows Explorer:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\"Window Title" = "JK Rowling Owns You"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\"NoFolderOptions" = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\"NoViewContextMenu" = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\"NoShellSearchButton" = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\"NoFind" = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\"NoRun" = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\"HideClock" = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\"NoTrayContextMenu" = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\"NoTrayItemsDisplay" = "1"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer\"NoViewContextMenu" = "1"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden\SHOWALL\"CheckedValue" = "0"

It then modifies the following registry entries, which disable access to the Task Manager, System Restore, the Registry Editor, and the Windows Firewall:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system\"DisableTaskMgr" = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\"DisableTaskMgr" = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\"DisableRegistryTools" = "1"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Services\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\"EnableFirewall" = "0"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Services\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\"DoNotAllowExceptions" = "0"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SystemRestore\"DisableSR" = "1"

The worm modifies the following registry entries, which changes the home page in Internet Explorer:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\"Start Page" = "[http://]www.amazon.com/Putter-Chamber-Cheesecakes-Timothy-ODonnell/dp/1411606884/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2_s9_rk/104-50558[REMOVED]"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\"Start Page" = "[http://]www.amazon.com/Putter-Chamber-Cheesecakes-Timothy-ODonnell/dp/1411606884/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2_s9_rk/104-50558[REMOVED]"

It also modifies the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\"RegisteredOwner" = "Harry Potter"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Services\CurrentControlSet\Services\sr\"Start" = "4"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\"ProductId" = "HARRY-POT-TERHATE-SYOU1"

The worm then opens the %SystemDrive%\HarryPotter-TheDeathlyHallows.doc file, which contains the following text:
Harry Potter is dead.

The worm displays the following message in a command prompt when Windows starts:
Title:
read and repent

Message:
the end is near
repent from your evil ways O Ye folks
lest you burn in hell...JK Rowling especially

The worm copies itself to all local and removable drives from D through J as the following files:
  • [DRIVE LETTER]:\HarryPotter-TheDeathlyHallows.exe
  • [DRIVE LETTER]:\autorun.inf

The worm deletes all scheduled tasks and then schedules itself to run at the following times:
  • 8:30
  • 9:00
  • 10:30
  • 11:00
  • 12:30
  • 13:00
  • 14:30
  • 16:30
  • 17:00
  • 18:30
  • 19:00

It then creates the following user accounts:
  • Harry-Potter
  • Ron-Weasley
  • Hermione-Granger

These accounts all have the following password:
1254

The worm then restarts the computer.

Recommendations

Symantec Security Response encourages all users and administrators to adhere to the following basic security "best practices":

  • Use a firewall to block all incoming connections from the Internet to services that should not be publicly available. By default, you should deny all incoming connections and only allow services you explicitly want to offer to the outside world.
  • 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.
  • Ensure that programs and users of the computer use the lowest level of privileges necessary to complete a task. When prompted for a root or UAC password, ensure that the program asking for administration-level access is a legitimate application.
  • Disable AutoPlay to prevent the automatic launching of executable files on network and removable drives, and disconnect the drives when not required. If write access is not required, enable read-only mode if the option is available.
  • Turn off file sharing if not needed. If file sharing is required, use ACLs and password protection to limit access. Disable anonymous access to shared folders. Grant access only to user accounts with strong passwords to folders that must be shared.
  • Turn off and remove unnecessary services. By default, many operating systems install auxiliary services that are not critical. These services are avenues of attack. If they are removed, threats have less avenues of attack.
  • If a 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.
  • Configure your email server to block or remove email that contains file attachments that are commonly used to spread threats, such as .vbs, .bat, .exe, .pif and .scr files.
  • Isolate compromised computers quickly to prevent threats from spreading further. 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.
  • If Bluetooth is not required for mobile devices, it should be turned off. If you require its use, ensure that the device's visibility is set to "Hidden" so that it cannot be scanned by other Bluetooth devices. If device pairing must be used, ensure that all devices are set to "Unauthorized", requiring authorization for each connection request. Do not accept applications that are unsigned or sent from unknown sources.
  • For further information on the terms used in this document, please refer to the Security Response glossary.

Writeup By: Stephen Doherty
Search by name
Example: W32.Beagle.AG@mm
Symantec DeepSight Screensaver