W32.HLLW.Moega.D

Risk Level 1: Very Low

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Discovered: October 9, 2003
Updated: February 13, 2007 12:08:51 PM
Also Known As: Backdoor.Sdbot.gen [KAV], W32/Sdbot.worm.gen [McAfee]
Type: Worm
Systems Affected: Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows XP


The W32.HLLW.Moega.D executable may appear as the following icon:




When W32.HLLW.Moega.D is executed, it does the following:
  1. Copies itself as %System%\https.exe.


    Note: %System% is a variable. The worm locates the System folder and copies itself to that location. By default, this is C:\Windows\System (Windows 95/98/Me), C:\Winnt\System32 (Windows NT/2000), or C:\Windows\System32 (Windows XP).


  2. Adds the value:

    "https-ssl" = "https.exe"

    to the registry keys:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

  3. Obtains the infected computer's IP address, then attempts to connect to any computers on the same subnet.

    For example, if the infected computer's IP address is A.B.C.D, it will try to connect to all the systems on the local area network, A.B.C.0 through A.B.C.255.

  4. Attempts to log on to computers that it discovered on the local area network, using the following strings:

    Username:
    • wwwadmin
    • user
    • system
    • sqlagent
    • sql
    • root
    • owner
    • guest
    • database
    • administrator
    • admin

      Password:
    • !@#$%^&*
    • !@#$%^&
    • !@#$%
    • !@#$
    • 654321
    • 123456
    • 1234
    • 123
    • 111
    • 1
    • wwwadmin
    • user
    • system
    • sqlagent
    • sql
    • server
    • secret
    • root
    • password
    • password123
    • pass
    • pass123
    • owner
    • hidden
    • guest
    • database
    • asdfgh
    • asdf
    • administrator
    • admin

  5. If successful, the worm will copy itself to the remote computer.

  6. Opens ports 139 and 445.

  7. Steals the CD key of the following games:
    • Red Alert 2
    • IGI 2
    • Command & Conquer Generals
    • FIFA 2003
    • Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2
    • The Gladiators
    • Soldier of Fortune II
    • Rainbow Six III RavenShield
    • Battlefield 1942 Road To Rome
    • Battlefield 1942
    • Counter-Strike
    • Unreal Tournament 2003
    • Half-Life
    • Neverwinter Nights

  8. Obtains system information about the computer, such as the operating system, amount of memory, and the type of hardware installed.

  9. Connects to an IRC server whose name is hard-coded in the worm and can download the files of the hacker's choosing.

  10. Can be used in a Denial of Service (DoS) attack on a Web site of the hacker's choosing.


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.

Writeup By: Fergal Ladley
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