Discovered: September 3, 2003
Updated: February 13, 2007 12:06:45 PM
Also Known As: Backdoor.Graybird.e [KAV], Backdoor-ARR [McAfee]
Type: Trojan Horse
Systems Affected: Windows 2000, Windows XP
The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.
- Disable System Restore (Windows XP).
- Update the virus definitions.
- End the Trojan process.
- Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Backdoor.Graybird.F.
- Reverse the changes that the Trojan made to the registry.
For details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.
1. Disabling System Restore (Windows XP)
If you are running Windows XP, we recommend that you temporarily turn off System Restore. Windows XP uses this feature, which is enabled by default, to restore the files on your computer in case they become damaged. If a virus, worm, or Trojan infects a computer, System Restore may back up the virus, worm, or Trojan on the computer.
Windows prevents outside programs, including antivirus programs, from modifying System Restore. Therefore, antivirus programs or tools cannot remove threats in the System Restore folder. As a result, System Restore has the potential of restoring an infected file on your computer, even after you have cleaned the infected files from all the other locations.
Also, a virus scan may detect a threat in the System Restore folder even though you have removed the threat.
For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows documentation, or "
How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore"
2. Updating the virus definitions
Symantec Security Response fully tests all the virus definitions for quality assurance before they are posted to our servers. There are two ways to obtain the most recent virus definitions:
- Running LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions: These virus definitions are posted to the LiveUpdate servers once each week (usually on Wednesdays), unless there is a major virus outbreak. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by LiveUpdate, refer to the Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate).
- Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted on U.S. business days (Monday through Friday). You should download the definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site and manually install them. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, refer to the Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater).
The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are available: Read "How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater" for detailed instructions.
3. Ending the Trojan process
- Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete once.
- Click Task Manager.
- Click the Processes tab.
- Double-click the Image Name column header to alphabetically sort the processes.
- Scroll through the list and look for Sp00lsv.exe.
- If you find the file, click it, and then click End Process.
- Exit the Task Manager.
4. Scanning for and deleting the infected files
- Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
- Run a full system scan.
- If any files are detected as infected with Backdoor.Graybird.F, click Delete.
5. Reversing the changes made to the registry
CAUTION: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before making any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify the specified keys only. Read the document, "
How to make a backup of the Windows registry," for instructions.
- Click Start, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
- Type regedit
Then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)
- Navigate to each of these keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- For each key, in the right pane, delete the value:
"internct"="%System%\WinSocks5.exe"
- Exit the Registry Editor.
Writeup By: Scott Gettis