W32.Darker.Worm

Risk Level 1: Very Low

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Discovered: November 4, 2003

Updated: February 13, 2007 12:13:20 PM

Also Known As: Worm.P2P.Darker.b [Kaspersky]

Type: Worm

Systems Affected: Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows XP

When W32.Darker.Worm is executed, it does the following:

Copies itself to the %Windir% folder as SVCHOST.EXE.
Adds the value:

"Service Process"="%Windir%\SVCHOST.EXE"
to the registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Attempts to spread through the KaZaA, Morpheus, and Grogster file-sharing networks by coping itself as the following file names:
- C:\Program Files\Morpheus\My Shared Folder\Adobe_crack_.exe
- C:\Program Files\Morpheus\My Shared Folder\live_fuck_tv(v2).exe
- C:\Program Files\Morpheus\My Shared Folder\Teen sex Having her breasts fucked and blowjob.exe
- C:\Program Files\Morpheus\My Shared Folder\XP crack setup.exe
- C:\Program Files\Morpheus\My Shared Folder\Xmusic Ultimate porn , games , movies Search engine.exe
- C:\Program Files\Morpheus\My Shared Folder\Porn_Search_engine.exe
- C:\Program Files\Morpheus\My Shared Folder\crack_database(1000scracks).exe
- C:\Program Files\Morpheus\My Shared Folder\Mp3_Mixer(v3).exe
- C:\Program Files\Morpheus\My Shared Folder\Jay z - crazy in love.mov.exe
- C:\Program Files\Morpheus\My Shared Folder\PasswordCracker.exe
- C:\Program Files\Morpheus\My Shared Folder\SlimShady Game.exe
- C:\Program Files\Morpheus\My Shared Folder\Dmx - Who the let the dogs out(funny).exe
- C:\Program Files\Morpheus\My Shared Folder\HotMail_password_hack(NEW!!!).exe
- C:\Program Files\Morpheus\My Shared Folder\PornWebsite_Pass_crack_v1.23beta.exe
- C:\Program Files\Morpheus\My Shared Folder\Msn_instant_messager_pass_crack.exe
- C:\Program Files\Morpheus\My Shared Folder\Password_cracker(doesnt_work_on_nt).exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA\My Shared Folder\HotMail_password_hacker.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA\My Shared Folder\Crackdatabase(1000scracks).exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA\My Shared Folder\Porn_Search_engine.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA\My Shared Folder\Adobe_crack_.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA\My Shared Folder\Tit_test(Porn_game).exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA\My Shared Folder\Kill backstreet boys(Eminem game).exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA\My Shared Folder\Jenna jameson Tit Fuck Sex Ultimate porn movie.mpeg.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA\My Shared Folder\Mp3_Mixer.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA\My Shared Folder\PassWordCracker.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA\My Shared Folder\Hotmail_Hacker.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA\My Shared Folder\DjSoftware.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA\My Shared Folder\Hot Pink Pussy Very tight chick fucking her boyfriend on the bed. Great sex clip.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA\My Shared Folder\Windows Xp Crack.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA\My Shared Folder\Teen fucking hard.avi.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA\My Shared Folder\Mp3Mixer(good).exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA\My Shared Folder\PornWebsite_Pass_crack_v1.23beta.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA\My Shared Folder\Msn_instant_messager_pass_crack.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA\My Shared Folder\Password_cracker(doesnt_work_on_nt).exe
- C:\Program Files\Grokster\My Grokster\HotMail_password_hacker(NEW!!!).exe
- C:\Program Files\Grokster\My Grokster\Porn_search_engine(2003edition).exe
- C:\Program Files\Grokster\My Grokster\Crack_hack_database(1000sCracksHacks).exe
- C:\Program Files\Grokster\My Grokster\Adobe_crack_.exe
- C:\Program Files\Grokster\My Grokster\Half_life_walk_through_walls_proxy.exe
- C:\Program Files\Grokster\My Grokster\Mp3_Mixer_.exe
- C:\Program Files\Grokster\My Grokster\HalfLife.exe
- C:\Program Files\Grokster\My Grokster\Windows Xp crack.exe
- C:\Program Files\Grokster\My Grokster\PornWebsite_Pass_crack_v1.23beta.exe
- C:\Program Files\Grokster\My Grokster\Msn_instant_messager_pass_crack.exe
- C:\Program Files\Grokster\My Grokster\Password_cracker(doesnt_work_on_nt).exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA Lite\My Shared Folder\HotMail_password_hacker(NEW!!!).exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA Lite\My Shared Folder\Crackdatabase(1000scracks).exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA Lite\My Shared Folder\Porn_Search_engine.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA Lite\My Shared Folder\Adobe_crack_.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA Lite\My Shared Folder\Jenna jameson Tit Fuck Sex Ultimate porn movie.mpeg.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA Lite\My Shared Folder\Mp3_Mixer.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA Lite\My Shared Folder\dr dre & nwa - fuck the police.mp3.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA Lite\My Shared Folder\britney spears tit game (funny as hell).exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA Lite\My Shared Folder\Windows Xp Crack.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA Lite\My Shared Folder\Asian-porn-finder.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA Lite\My Shared Folder\PassWordCracker.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA Lite\My Shared Folder\Hotmail_Hacker.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA Lite\My Shared Folder\Xscan setup(Windows Hacker).exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA Lite\My Shared Folder\DjSoftware.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA Lite\My Shared Folder\HalfLife Counter strike Auto Aim-v4.3.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA Lite\My Shared Folder\Mp3Mixer(good).exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA Lite\My Shared Folder\Great Sex Movie Viewier NO Credit Cards (LESBIAN , HARDCORE , TEENSEX , FUCK ,BLOWJOB).exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA Lite\My Shared Folder\PornWebsite_Pass_crack_v1.23beta.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA Lite\My Shared Folder\Msn_instant_messager_pass_crack.exe
- C:\Program Files\KaZaA Lite\My Shared Folder\Password_cracker(doesnt_work_on_nt).exe
Attempts to contact a predetermined IRC server and waits for commands from a hacker. The commands include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Downloading and executing files on the remote machine
- Sending system information back to a hacker
- Logging keystrokes
- Terminating antivirus software
- Sending itself through email
The hacker can terminate any processes that have these names:
- ACKWIN32.EXE
- ADVXDWIN.EXE
- AGENTSVR.EXE
- AHNSD.EXE
- ALERTSVC.EXE
- ALOGSERV.EXE
- AMON9X.EXE
- ANTI-TROJAN.EXE
- ANTIVIRUS.EXE
- ANTS.EXE
- APIMONITOR.EXE
- APLICA32.EXE
- APVXDWIN.EXE
- ATCON.EXE
- ATGUARD.EXE
- ATRO55EN.EXE
- ATUPDATER.EXE
- ATWATCH.EXE
- AUPDATE.EXE
- AUTODOWN.EXE
- AUTODOWN.exe
- AUTOTRACE.EXE
- AUTOUPDATE.EXE
- AVCONSOL.EXE
- AVGCC32.EXE
- AVGCTRL.EXE
- AVGSERV.EXE
- AVGSERV9.EXE
- AVGW.EXE
- AVKPOP.EXE
- AVKSERV.EXE
- AVKSERVICE.EXE
- AVKWCL9.EXE
- AVKWCTL9.EXE
- AVP.EXE
- AVP32.EXE
- AVPCC.EXE
- AVPEXEC.EXE
- AVPINST.EXE
- AVPM.EXE
- AVPUPD.EXE
- AVRESCUE.EXE
- AVSYNMGR.EXE
- AVSYNMGR.exe
- AVWINNT.EXE
- AVXMONITOR9X.EXE
- AVXMONITORNT.EXE
- AVXQUAR.EXE
- AVXQUAR.EXE.EXE
- AVXW.EXE
- AckWin32.exe
- Alerter
- AutoDown.exe
- AutoTrace.exe
- AvSynMgr
- AvgServ
- Avgctrl.exe
- AvkServ.exe
- Avsched32.exe
- BD_PROFESSIONAL.EXE
- BIDEF.EXE
- BIDSERVER.EXE
- BIPCP.EXE
- BIPCPEVALSETUP.EXE
- BISP.EXE
- BLACKD.EXE
- BLACKICE.EXE
- BOOTWARN.EXE
- BORG2.EXE
- BS120.EXE
- BlackICE.exe
- CDP.EXE
- CFGWIZ.EXE
- CFIADMIN.EXE
- CFIAUDIT.EXE
- CFINET.EXE
- CFINET32.EXE
- CLAW95.EXE
- CLAW95CF.EXE
- CLEAN.EXE
- CLEANER.EXE
- CLEANER3.EXE
- CLEANPC.EXE
- CMGRDIAN.EXE
- CMON016.EXE
- CONNECTIONMONITOR.EXE
- CPD.EXE
- CPDCLNT.EXE
- CPDClnt.exe
- CPF9X206.EXE
- CPFNT206.EXE
- CSINJECT.EXE
- CSINSM32
- CSS1631.EXE
- CTRL.EXE
- CV.EXE
- CWNB181.EXE
- CWNTDWMO.EXE
- Claw95.exe
- Claw95cf.exe
- DEFSCANGUI.EXE
- DEFWATCH.EXE
- DEPUTY.EXE
- DOORS.EXE
- DPF.EXE
- DRWATSON.EXE
- DRWEB32.EXE
- DVP95.EXE
- DVP95_0.EXE
- EFPEADM.EXE
- EFPEADM.exe
- ENT.EXE
- ESCANH95.EXE
- ESCANHNT.EXE
- ESCANV95.EXE
- ETRUSTCIPE.EXE
- ETRUSTCIPE.exe
- EVPN.EXE
- EVPN.exe
- EXANTIVIRUS-CNET.EXE
- EXPERT.EXE
- F-AGNT95.EXE
- F-PROT.EXE
- F-PROT95.EXE
- F-STOPW.EXE
- FAMEH32.EXE
- FAST.EXE
- FCH32.EXE
- FIH32.EXE
- FIREWALL.EXE
- FIX-IT.EXE
- FLOWPROTECTOR.EXE
- FNRB32.EXE
- FP-WIN.EXE
- FP-WIN_TRIAL.EXE
- FRW.EXE
- FSAA.EXE
- FSAV.EXE
- FSAV32.EXE
- FSAV530STBYB.EXE
- FSAV530WTBYB.EXE
- FSAV95.EXE
- FSAVE32.EXE
- FSGK32.EXE
- FSM32.EXE
- FSMA32.EXE
- FSMB32.EXE
- FWENC.EXE
- GBMENU.EXE
- GBPOLL.EXE
- GENERICS.EXE
- GUARD.EXE
- GUARDDOG.EXE
- HACKTRACERSETUP.EXE
- HTLOG.EXE
- HWPE.EXE
- IAMAPP.EXE
- IAMSERV.EXE
- IAMSTATS.EXE
- ICLOAD95.EXE
- ICLOADNT.EXE
- ICMON.EXE
- ICSUPP95.EXE
- ICSUPPNT.EXE
- IFACE.EXE
- IFW2000.EXE
- IOMON98.EXE
- IPARMOR.EXE
- IRIS.EXE
- ISRV95.EXE
- JAMMER.EXE
- JEDI.EXE
- KAVLITE40ENG.EXE
- KAVPERS40ENG.EXE
- KERIO-PF-213-EN-WIN.EXE
- KERIO-WRL-421-EN-WIN.EXE
- KERIO-WRP-421-EN-WIN.EXE
- KILLPROCESSSETUP161.EXE
- LDNETMON.EXE
- LDPRO.EXE
- LDPROMENU.EXE
- LDSCAN.EXE
- LOCALNET.EXE
- LOCKDOWN.EXE
- LOCKDOWN2000.EXE
- LSETUP.EXE
- LUALL.EXE
- LUAU.EXE
- LUCOMSERVER.EXE
- LUINIT.EXE
- LUSPT.exe
- MCAGENT.EXE
- MCMNHDLR.EXE
- MCSHIELD.EXE
- MCTOOL.EXE
- MCUPDATE.EXE
- MCVSRTE.EXE
- MCVSSHLD.EXE
- MFW2EN.EXE
- MFWENG3.02D30.EXE
- MGAVRTCL.EXE
- MGAVRTE.EXE
- MGHTML.EXE
- MGUI.EXE
- MINILOG.EXE
- MONITOR.EXE
- MONSYS32.EXE
- MONSYSNT.EXE
- MONWOW.EXE
- MOOLIVE.EXE
- MPFAGENT.EXE
- MPFSERVICE.exe
- MPFTRAY.EXE
- MRFLUX.EXE
- MSINFO32.EXE
- MSSMMC32.EXE
- MU0311AD.EXE
- MWATCH.EXE
- MWATCH.exe
- MXTASK.EXE
- Mcshield.exe
- Monitor.exe
- NAVAuto-Protect
- NAV80TRY.EXE
- NAVAP
- NAVAPSVC.EXE
- NAVAPW32.EXE
- NAVDX.EXE
- NAVENG
- NAVENGNAVEX15
- NAVEX15
- NAVLU32.EXE
- NAVRUNR.EXE
- NAVSTUB.EXE
- NAVW32.EXE
- NAVWNT.EXE
- NC2000.EXE
- NCINST4.EXE
- NDD32.EXE
- NEOMONITOR.EXE
- NEOWATCHLOG.EXE
- NETARMOR.EXE
- NETINFO.EXE
- NETMON.EXE
- NETSCANPRO.EXE
- NETSPYHUNTER-1.2.EXE
- NETSTAT.EXE
- NETUTILS.EXE
- NISSERV.EXE
- NISUM.EXE
- NMAIN.EXE
- NORMIST.EXE
- NORTON_INTERNET_SECU_3.0_407.EXE
- NPF40_TW_98_NT_ME_2K.EXE
- NPFMESSENGER.EXE
- NPROTECT.EXE
- NPSSVC.EXE
- NSCHED32.EXE
- NTVDM.EXE
- NTXCONFIG.EXE
- NTXconfig.exe
- NUI.EXE
- NVARCH16.EXE
- NVC95.EXE
- NVLAUNCH.EXE
- NVSVC32
- NWINST4.EXE
- NWSERVICE.EXE
- NWService.exe
- NWTOOL16.EXE
- Navw32.exe
- NeoWatchLog.exe
- Nui.EXE
- Nupgrade.exe
- OFFGUARD.EXE
- OSTRONET.EXE
- OUTPOST.EXE
- OUTPOSTINSTALL.EXE
- OUTPOSTPROINSTALL.EXE
- PADMIN.EXE
- PANIXK.EXE
- PAVPROXY.EXE
- PCC2002S902.EXE
- PCC2K_76_1436.EXE
- PCCCLIENT.EXE
- PCCGUIDE.EXE
- PCCIOMON.EXE
- PCCNTMON.EXE
- PCCPFW
- PCCWIN97.EXE
- PCCWIN98.EXE
- PCDSETUP.EXE
- PCFWALLICON.EXE
- PCIP10117_0.EXE
- PCSCAN.EXEPDSETUP.EXE
- PERISCOPE.EXE
- PERSFW.EXE
- PERSWF.EXE
- PF2.EXE
- PFWADMIN.EXE
- PINGSCAN.EXE
- PLATIN.EXE
- POP3TRAP.EXE
- POPROXY.EXE
- POPSCAN.EXE
- PORTDETECTIVE.EXE
- PORTMONITOR.EXE
- PPINUPDT.EXE
- PPTBC.EXE
- PPVSTOP.EXE
- PROCESSMONITOR.EXE
- PROCEXPLORERV1.0.EXE
- PROGRAMAUDITOR.EXE
- PROPORT.EXE
- PROTECTX.EXE
- PSPF.EXE
- PURGE.EXE
- PVIEW95.EXE
- QCONSOLE.EXE
- QSERVER.EXE
- RAV7.EXE
- RAV7WIN.EXE
- RAV8WIN32ENG.EXE
- REALMON.EXE
- RESCUE.EXE
- RESCUE32.EXE
- RRGUARD.EXE
- RSHELL.EXE
- RTVSCN95.EXE
- RULAUNCH.EXE
- Rescue.exe
- SAFEWEB.EXE
- SBSERV.EXE
- SCAN32.EXE
- SCHEDAPP.EXE
- SCRSCAN.EXE
- SD.EXE
- SETUPVAMEEVAL.EXE
- SETUP_FLOWPROTECTOR_US.EXE
- SFC.EXE
- SGSSFW32.EXE
- SH.EXE
- SHELLSPYINSTALL.EXE
- SHN.EXE
- SMC.EXE
- SOFI.EXE
- SPF.EXE
- SPHINX.EXE
- SPYXX.EXE
- SRWATCH.EXE
- SS3EDIT.EXE
- ST2.EXE
- SUPFTRL.EXE
- SUPPORTER5.EXE
- SWEEP95.EXE
- SWEEPSRV.SYS
- SWNETSUP.EXE
- SYMPROXYSVC.EXE
- SYMTRAY.EXE
- SYSDOC32.EXE
- SYSEDIT.EXE
- Sphinx.exe
- SweepNet
- SymProxySvc.exe
- TASKMON.EXE
- TAUMON.EXE
- TAUSCAN.EXE
- TC.EXE
- TCA.EXE
- TCM.EXE
- TDS-3.EXE
- TDS2-98.EXE
- TDS2-NT.EXE
- TFAK.EXE
- TFAK5.EXE
- TGBOB.EXE
- TITANIN.EXE
- TITANINXP.EXE
- TRACERT.EXE
- TRJSCAN.EXE
- TRJSETUP.EXE
- TROJANTRAP3.EXE
- Tmntsrv
- UNDOBOOT.EXE
- UPDATE.EXE
- Uh`S@d
- VBCMSERV.EXE
- VBCONS.EXE
- VBUST.EXE
- VBWIN9X.EXE
- VBWINNTW.EXE
- VCCMSERV.EXE
- VCSETUP.EXE
- VET32.EXE
- VET32.exe
- VET95.EXE
- VETTRAY.EXE
- VFSETUP.EXE
- VIR-HELP.EXE
- VIRUSMDPERSONALFIREWALL.EXE
- VNLAN300.EXE
- VNPC3000.EXE
- VPC32.EXE
- VPC42.EXE
- VPFW30S.EXE
- VPTRAY.EXE
- VSCENU6.02D30.EXE
- VSCHED.EXE
- VSECOMR.EXE
- VSHWIN32.EXE
- VSISETUP.EXE
- VSMAIN.EXE
- VSMON.EXE
- VSSTAT.EXE
- VSWIN9XE.EXE
- VSWINNTSE.EXE
- VSWINPERSE.EXE
- VVSTAT.EXE
- VbCons.exe
- Vet95.exe
- VetTray.exe
- W32DSM89.EXE
- W9X.EXE
- WATCHDOG.EXE
- WEBSCANX.EXE
- WEBTRAP.EXE
- WGFE95.EXE
- WHOSWATCHINGME.EXE
- WIMMUN32.EXE
- WINRECON.EXE
- WINROUTE
- WINSFCM.EXE
- WNT.EXE
- WRADMIN.EXE
- WRCTRL.EXE
- WSBGATE.EXE
- WYVERNWORKSFIREWALL.EXE
- WrAdmin.exe
- WrCtrl.exe
- XPF202EN.EXE
- ZAPRO.EXE
- ZAPSETUP3001.EXE
- ZATUTOR.EXE
- ZAUINST.EXE
- ZONALM2601.EXE
- ZONEALARM.EXE
- _AVP32.EXE
- _AVPCC.EXE
- _AVPM.EXE
- agentw.exe
- alogserv.exe
- apvxdwin.exe
- avkpop.exe
- avkservice.exe
- avkwctl9.exe
- avpm.exe
- blackd.exe
- ccApp.exe
- ccEvtMgr.exe
- ccPxySvc.exe
- cfgWiz.exe
- cleaner.EXE
- cleaner3.EXE
- cpd.exe
- defalert.exe
- defscangui.exe
- f-stopw.exe
- fameh32.exe
- fch32.exe
- fih32.exe
- fnrb32.exe
- fsaa.exe
- fsav32.exe
- fsgk32.exe
- fsm32.exe
- fsma32.exe
- fsmb32.exe
- gbmenu.exe
- gbpoll.exe
- iamapp.exe
- iamserv.exe
- lockdown2000.exe
- navapsvc
- navapsvc.exe
- netstat.exe
- notstart.exe
- npscheck.exe
- ntrtscan.EXE
- nvapsvc
- pathping.exe
- pavproxy.exe
- pccntmon.EXE
- pccwin97.EXE
- pcscan.EXE
- ping.exe
- rapapp.exe
- route.exe
- routemon.exe
- sbserv.exe
- sharedaccess
- tracerpt.exe
- tracert.exe
- vbcmserv.exe
- vsmon.exe
- zapro.exe
- zonealarm.exe
A hacker can also use MAPI to email itself to all the contacts in the Windows address book. The email has the following characteristics:

Subject: Microsoft Windows OutLook Express urgent updates
Body: There is a new virus spreading called Win32.darkirc virus. This email was sent to you as a precaution as ur version of OutLook Express has not been updated. Patch available attached to the email
Attachment: Svchost.exe

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: Scott Gettis

Removal

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