W32.HLLW.Gaobot.FQ

1. Copies itself as %System%\Sysinfo.exe and %System%\Winhlpp32.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:
   
   "Configuration Loader"="%System%\sysinfo.exe"
   
   to the registry keys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
   RunServices
   
   so that the worm runs when you start Windows.
   
   
3. Connects to a predefined IRC channel, using its own IRC client, and listens for the commands from the attacker.
   
   
4. Allows an attacker to remotely control your computer and perform any of the following actions:
   • Manage the installation of the worm
   • Dynamically update the installed worm
   • Download and execute files
   • Steal system information
   • Send the worm to other IRC users
   • Add new accounts
     
     
5. Performs Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks against targeted systems. The IP addresses of the targets are randomly calculated.
   
   
6. Acts as a proxy server to direct attacks to another computer.
   
   
7. Sends data to TCP port 135, which exploits the DCOM RPC vulnerability, or sends data to TCP port 445 to exploit the RPC locator vulnerability.
   
   
8. Probes the following shares:
   admin$
   c$
   d$
   e$
   print$
   c
   
   using the following user names and passwords, as well as any user names found using NetUserEnum():
   
   
   User names
   a
   aaa
   abc
   admin
   Administrador
   Administrateur
   Administrator
   administrator
   asdf
   Convidado
   Coordinatore
   Default
   Dell
   Gast
   Guest
   home
   Inviter
   login
   mgmt
   Ospite
   Owner
   pc
   qwer
   Standard
   temp
   Test
   test
   User
   win
   x
   xyz
   
   
   Passwords
   Admin
   password
   Password
   1
   12
   123
   1234
   12345
   123456
   1234567
   12345678
   123456789
   654321
   54321
   111
   000000
   00000000
   11111111
   88888888
   pass
   passwd
   database
   abcd
   oracle
   sybase
   123qwe
   server
   computer
   Internet
   super
   123asd
   ihavenopass
   godblessyou
   enable
   xp
   2002
   2003
   2600
   0
   110
   111111
   121212
   123123
   1234qwer
   123abc
   007
   alpha
   patrick
   pat
   administrator
   root
   sex
   god
   foobar
   a
   aaa
   abc
   test
   temp
   win
   pc
   asdf
   secret
   qwer
   yxcv
   zxcv
   home
   xxx
   owner
   login
   Login
   pwd
   pass
   lovemypc
   mypass
   pw
   
   
9. Copies itself to any systems it compromised using the aforementioned exploits.
   
   
10. Steals the CD keys/Product ID of the following programs:
    • Windows Product ID
    • Hidden and Dangerous 2
    • Chrome
    • Soldier of Fortune II
    • Neverwinter Nights
    • Nox
    • Tiberian Sun
    • Red Alert 2
    • Red Alert
    • Project IGI 2
    • Command & Conquer Generals
    • Battlefield 1942 Secret Weapons of WWII
    • Battlefield 1942 The Road to Rome
    • Battlefield 1942
    • Rainbow Six III RavenShield
    • Nascar Racing 2003
    • Nascar Racing 2002
    • NHL 2003
    • NHL 2002
    • FIFA 2003
    • FIFA 2002
    • Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2
    • The Gladiators
    • Unreal Tournament 2003
    • Legends of Might and Magic
    • Counter-Strike
    • Half-Life
      
      
11. Ends the following processes associated with antivirus and firewall software:
    • ZONEALARM.EXE
    • WFINDV32.EXE
    • WEBSCANX.EXE
    • VSSTAT.EXE
    • VSHWIN32.EXE
    • VSECOMR.EXE
    • VSCAN40.EXE
    • VETTRAY.EXE
    • VET95.EXE
    • TDS2-NT.EXE
    • TDS2-98.EXE
    • TCA.EXE
    • TBSCAN.EXE
    • SWEEP95.EXE
    • SPHINX.EXE
    • SMC.EXE
    • SERV95.EXE
    • SCRSCAN.EXE
    • SCANPM.EXE
    • SCAN95.EXE
    • SCAN32.EXE
    • SAFEWEB.EXE
    • RESCUE.EXE
    • RAV7WIN.EXE
    • RAV7.EXE
    • PERSFW.EXE
    • PCFWALLICON.EXE
    • PCCWIN98.EXE
    • PAVW.EXE
    • PAVSCHED.EXE
    • PAVCL.EXE
    • PADMIN.EXE
    • OUTPOST.EXE
    • NVC95.EXE
    • NUPGRADE.EXE
    • NORMIST.EXE
    • NMAIN.EXE
    • NISUM.EXE
    • NAVWNT.EXE
    • NAVW32.EXE
    • NAVNT.EXE
    • NAVLU32.EXE
    • NAVAPW32.EXE
    • N32SCANW.EXE
    • MPFTRAY.EXE
    • MOOLIVE.EXE
    • LUALL.EXE
    • LOOKOUT.EXE
    • LOCKDOWN2000.EXE
    • JEDI.EXE
    • IOMON98.EXE
    • IFACE.EXE
    • ICSUPPNT.EXE
    • ICSUPP95.EXE
    • ICMON.EXE
    • ICLOADNT.EXE
    • ICLOAD95.EXE
    • IBMAVSP.EXE
    • IBMASN.EXE
    • IAMSERV.EXE
    • IAMAPP.EXE
    • FRW.EXE
    • FPROT.EXE
    • FP-WIN.EXE
    • FINDVIRU.EXE
    • F-STOPW.EXE
    • F-PROT95.EXE
    • F-PROT.EXE
    • F-AGNT95.EXE
    • ESPWATCH.EXE
    • ESAFE.EXE
    • ECENGINE.EXE
    • DVP95_0.EXE
    • DVP95.EXE
    • CLEANER3.EXE
    • CLEANER.EXE
    • CLAW95CF.EXE
    • CLAW95.EXE
    • CFINET32.EXE
    • CFINET.EXE
    • CFIAUDIT.EXE
    • CFIADMIN.EXE
    • BLACKICE.EXE
    • BLACKD.EXE
    • AVWUPD32.EXE
    • AVWIN95.EXE
    • AVSCHED32.EXE
    • AVPUPD.EXE
    • AVPTC32.EXE
    • AVPM.EXE
    • AVPDOS32.EXE
    • AVPCC.EXE
    • AVP32.EXE
    • AVP.EXE
    • AVNT.EXE
    • AVKSERV.EXE
    • AVGCTRL.EXE
    • AVE32.EXE
    • AVCONSOL.EXE
    • AUTODOWN.EXE
    • APVXDWIN.EXE
    • ANTI-TROJAN.EXE
    • ACKWIN32.EXE
    • _AVPM.EXE
    • _AVPCC.EXE
    • _AVP32.EXE
      
      
12. Attemps to kill some processes associated with other worms:
    • winhlpp32.exe
    • tftpd.exe
    • dllhost.exe
    • winppr32.exe
    • mspatch.exe
    • penis32.exe
    • msblast.exe
      
      
13. Listens on randomly calculated ports, and waits for other computers to download the worm.

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.