WM.Concept

All of the macros are easily visible from the Macro command of the Tools pulldown menu within Microsoft Word. Upon infection, WM.Concept looks for the PayLoad and FileSaveAs macros. If it finds either macro, WM.Concept aborts infection. If it does not find either macro, WM.Concept begins the infection process.

The first stage of infection that users see is a dialog box displaying the number "1" and an OK button. Once users press the OK button, WM.Concept gains control. The virus replaces the Save As command in the File pulldown menu with its own command, which forces the user to save all documents as new templates. Without notice, WM.Concept takes the contents of the AAAZAO macro and places it in another macro, called AutoOpen, in the new templates, and copies the AAAZFS, AAAZAO, and PayLoad macros to the new file. The AutoOpen macro is automatically started each time a template is opened, allowing the virus to replicate in the new documents.

Other than the number "1" displayed during initial residency, WM.Concept displays no message. However, the Pay Load macro contains the following message:

That’s enough to prove my point

Concept.FR.B

This is a variant of the original Concept virus. It is identical in nature and function, however it has been modified and translated to work with French language versions of Microsoft Word.

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.

Summary