Digispid.B.Worm

Digispid.B.Worm is a worm which spreads to computers that are running Microsoft SQL Server and which have a blank SQL administrator password. It copies files to the infected computer and changes the SQL administrator password to a string of four random characters.

The worm is unlikely to propagate in a production environment using SQL server because it relies upon the following assumptions to spread:

• "sa" SQL server account has no password
• SQL is running with Administrative access. By default, the SQL Server runs in the security context of a domain user.

An infected computer can be identified by the presence following characteristics:

• The presence of some or all of these files:
  • %System32%\Drivers\Services.exe
  • %System32%\Sqlexec.js
  • %System32%\Clemail.exe
  • %System32%\Sqlprocess.js
  • %System32%\Sqlinstall.bat
  • %System32%\Sqldir.js
  • %System32%\Run.js
  • %System32%\Timer.dll
  • %System32%\Samdump.dll
  • %System32%\Pwdump2.exe
• Many outgoing port 1433 requests
• Increased internet traffic
• Emails the Operating System user password and SQL server data information to "ixltd@postone.com"
• SQL server "sa" password will be changed

When systems have been infected, you should do the following:

• Update Norton AntiVirus definitions and perform a full system scan.
• Reset all operating system and SQL Server passwords.

Read the additional information section at the bottom of this document for more general actions that you should perform to protect your systems from unknown threats. Also, for general information regarding security best practices, read the Recommendations section of this document.




Symantec recommends taking the following actions to protect against Digispid.B.Worm:

• Filter outgoing email messages to "ixltd@postone.com"
• Filter outgoing email messages that have subjects beginning with "SystemData-"
• Verify that all SQL server "sa" accounts have passwords

To protect your environment from future unknown threats similar to Digispid.B.Worm, Symantec recommends the following:

• Do not use default ports when installing applications, for example, do not use the default 1433. Instead, use an unused high level port.
• Create an alternate administrator account and disable any default administrator accounts such as sa.

The following Microsoft Knowledge Base article contains information about the SA password in Microsoft SQL Server

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q313418

Protection

• Initial Rapid Release version May 21, 2002
• Latest Rapid Release version August 20, 2008 revision 017
• Initial Daily Certified version May 21, 2002
• Latest Daily Certified version August 20, 2008 revision 016
• Initial Weekly Certified release date May 21, 2002

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

Threat Assessment

Wild

• Wild Level: Medium
• Number of Infections: 50 - 999
• Number of Sites: 3 - 9
• Geographical Distribution: Medium
• Threat Containment: Easy
• Removal: Easy

Damage

• Damage Level: Low

Distribution

• Distribution Level: Medium