W32.HLLW.Warpigs.B

1. Copies itself as %System%\Winupdate.exe.
   
   
2. Creates the file, %System%\Pgonwe.exe, which is a copy of the SysInternals psexec utility. The worm uses this file to attempt to copy and run itself on machines that have weak administrator passwords.
   
   
3. Attempts to connect to computers that have weak administrator passwords. Some of the passwords that it attempts are:
   <null>
   aerobics
   adult
   adrianna
   adrian
   adam
   action
   account
   accept
   academic
   academia
   000000
   00000
   0000
   testing
   death
   xxxxxxxxx
   xxxxxxxx
   xxxxxxx
   xxxxxx
   xxxxx
   xxxx
   guessme
   youwontguessme
   uwontguessme
   mirc
   kiddie
   scriptkiddie
   script
   hax0r
   hacker
   
   
4. Adds the value:
   
   "windowsupdate"="winupdate.exe"
   
   to the registry keys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
   
   so that the worm runs when you start Windows.
   
   
5. Adds the value:
   
   "windowupdate"=<value>
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\windowsupdate
   
   so that the worm keeps track of when it last updated itself.
   
   .
6. Modifies the System.ini file by changing the line:
   
   "shell"="explorer.exe"
   
   to:
   
   "shell"="explorer.exe winupdate.exe"
   
   
7. Modifies the Value data of: Shell
   
   to:
   
   "explorer.exe winupdate.exe"
   
   in the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
   
   so that the worm runs when you start Windows.
   
   
8. Connects to a specific mIRC server to receive instructions. Some of the instructions allow for:
   • Listing/terminating currently active processes
   • Performing a Denial of Service (DoS) attack
   • Deleting or creating files and folders
   • Restarting the computer
   • Executing programs
     

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.