W32.Gaobot.SY

W32.Gaobot.SY is a worm that attempts to spread through network shares that have weak passwords and allows attackers to access an infected computer using a predetermined IRC channel.

The worm uses multiple vulnerabilities to spread, including:

• The DCOM RPC vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-026) using TCP port 135.
• The WebDav vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-007) using TCP port 80.
• The Workstation service buffer overrun vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-049) using TCP port 445. Windows XP users are protected against this vulnerability if Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-043 has been applied. Windows 2000 users must apply MS03-049.
• The Microsoft Messenger Service Buffer Overrun Vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-043)
• The Locator service vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-001) using TCP port 445. The worm specifically targets Windows 2000 machines using this exploit.
• The UPnP vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS01-059).
• The vulnerabilities in Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or MSDE 2000 audit (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS02-061) using UDP port 1434.
• Sending itself to the backdoor port, which the Beagle family of worms opens.
• Sending itself to the backdoor port, which the Mydoom family of worms opens.

This threat may be compressed with PE Diminisher.

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Note: Virus definitions dated prior April 1, 2004 detect this threat as W32.HLLW.Gaobot.gen.

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Protection

• Initial Rapid Release version March 27, 2004
• Latest Rapid Release version August 20, 2008 revision 017
• Initial Daily Certified version March 27, 2004
• Latest Daily Certified version January 20, 2009 revision 048
• Initial Weekly Certified release date March 28, 2004

Click here for a more detailed description of Rapid Release and Daily Certified virus definitions.

Threat Assessment

Wild

• Wild Level: Low
• Number of Infections: 0 - 49
• Number of Sites: 0 - 2
• Geographical Distribution: Low
• Threat Containment: Easy
• Removal: Moderate

Damage

• Damage Level: Low

Distribution

• Distribution Level: Medium