Discovered: January 8, 2003
Updated: February 13, 2007 11:42:11 AM
Also Known As: Win32.Lirva.B [CA], W32/Avril-B [Sophos], WORM_LIRVA.C [Trend], I-Worm.Avron.b [KAV], W32/Lirva.c@MM [McAfee]
Type: Worm
Systems Affected: Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows XP
NOTE: Due to a decreased rate of submissions, Symantec Security Response has downgraded this threat from a Category 3 to a Category 2 as of February 28, 2003.
W32.Lirva.C@mm is a mass-mailing worm that also spreads by IRC, ICQ, KaZaA, and open network shares. It is a variant of
W32.Lirva.A@mm. This worm attempts to terminate antivirus and firewall products. It also emails the cached Windows 95/98/Me dial-up networking passwords to the virus writer.
The worm connects to a Web site on web.host.kz/ and downloads
BackOrifice, which it executes. W32.Lirva.C@mm also attempts to download another file, which is currently not present on the Web site.
When Microsoft Outlook receives the worm, it takes advantage of a vulnerability that allows the attachment to auto-execute when you read or preview the email. Information on this vulnerability and a patch can be found at
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS01-020.asp.
If the day of the month is the 7th, 11th, or 24th, the worm will launch your Web browser to www.avril-lavigne.com and display a graphic animation on the Windows desktop.
As with many other worms, this worm takes advantage of a vulnerability that allows the attachment to auto-execute when you read or preview the email. Information on this vulnerability and a patch can be found at
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS01-020.asp.
Protection
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Initial Rapid Release version January 8, 2003
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Latest Rapid Release version February 21, 2009 revision 038
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Initial Daily Certified version January 8, 2003
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Latest Daily Certified version February 22, 2009 revision 003
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Initial Weekly Certified release date January 9, 2003
Click for a more detailed description of Rapid Release and Daily Certified virus definitions.
Threat Assessment
Wild
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Wild Level: Medium
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Number of Infections: More than 1000
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Number of Sites: More than 10
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Geographical Distribution: High
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Threat Containment: Easy
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Removal: Moderate
Damage
Distribution
Writeup By: Eric Chien