W32.Gaobot.ALU

1. Copies itself as %System%\svhost.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 string value:
   
   "Windows Security Manager"="%System%\svhost.exe"
   
   to the following 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. Attempts to terminate the processes of a large number of antivirus and security applications. See the Processes section for a complete list.
   
   
4. Creates three threads and attempts to contact various Web sites, such as servecounterstrike.com.
   
   
5. Opens approximately 100 randomly selected TCP ports and sends a copy of itself to any process connecting to those ports.
   
   
6. Connects to a remote IRC server and awaits commands from the remote attacker.
   
   The back door allows the attacker to perform the following actions on the compromised system:
   
   • Kill a particular process
   • List the processes
   • Perform HTTP, ICMP, SYN, and UDP floods
   • Restart the computer
   • Retrieve a given URL
   • Retrieve a list of email addresses through HTTP
   • Retrieve data from the registry
   • Retrieve files through FTP and HTTP
   • Retrieve the email addresses stored on the computer
   • Run commands
   • Sniff HTTP, FTP, and IRC traffic
   • Steal the Windows product ID, AOL passwords, and the CD keys of various video games
   • Terminate Windows services
     
     
7. Generates IP addresses using the IP of the system and randomizing the last two octets.
   
   For example, if the IP on the system is 10.11.12.13, the worm attempts to connect to any IP starting with 10.11.x.x. The worm then attempts to propagate to other IP addresses using the following methods:
   
   • Exploits the Microsoft Windows DCOM RPC Interface Buffer Overrun Vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-026) using TCP port 135.
   • Exploits the Microsoft Windows Workstation Service Remote Buffer Overflow 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.
   • Exploits the Microsoft Windows WebDAV Buffer Overflow Vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-007) using TCP port 80.
   • Exploits the Microsoft Windows Local Security Authority Service Remote Buffer Overflow (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-011).
     
     
8. Attempts to authenticate itself to remote network shares by guessing user names and passwords as follows:
   
   Shares:
   • admin$
   • print$
   • ipc$
   • e$
   • d$
   • c$
   • c
     
     User names:
   • aaa
   • abc
   • Admin
   • admin
   • administrador
   • Administrador
   • Administrat
   • Administrateur
   • administrator
   • Administrator
   • admins
   • asdf
   • computer
   • Convidado
   • Coordinatore
   • database
   • Default
   • Dell
   • Gast
   • Guest
   • home
   • Inviter
   • kanri
   • kanri-sha
   • mary
   • mgmt
   • mysql
   • OEM
   • Ospite
   • OWNER
   • owner
   • Owner
   • qwer
   • root
   • server
   • Standard
   • student
   • teacher
   • temp
   • Test
   • user
   • User
   • Verwalter
   • win
   • wwwadmin
   • xyz
     
     Passwords:
   • 000000
   • 00000000
   • 007
   • 110
   • 111
   • 111111
   • 11111111
   • 121212
   • 123
   • 123123
   • 1234
   • 12345
   • 123456
   • 1234567
   • 12345678
   • 123456789
   • 1234qwer
   • 123abc
   • 123asd
   • 123qwe
   • 2002
   • 2600
   • 54321
   • 654321
   • 88888888
   • abc123
   • abcd
   • admin123
   • alpha
   • asdfghjkl
   • baby
   • box
   • changeme
   • enable
   • foobar
   • god
   • godblessyou
   • homework
   • ihavenopass
   • Internet
   • kids
   • leet
   • Login
   • love
   • metal
   • mybaby
   • mybox
   • mypass
   • mypc
   • oracle
   • pass
   • passwd
   • Password
   • password
   • password123
   • pat
   • patrick
   • penis
   • poiuytrewq
   • porn
   • private
   • pussy
   • pwd
   • qwerty
   • qwertyuiop
   • red123
   • school
   • secret
   • secrets
   • sex
   • super
   • superman
   • supersecret
   • sybase
   • test123
   • vagina
   • werty
   • work
   • xxx
   • xxyyzz
   • yxcv
   • zxcv
   • zxcvbnm
     
     The worm copies itself to any remote shares to which it successfully authenticates, and schedules a network job to run the worm on the remote system.

• _AVP32.EXE
• _AVPCC.EXE
• _AVPM.EXE
• AckWin32.EXE
• agentw.EXE
• APIMONITOR.EXE
• APLICA32.EXE
• apvxdwin.EXE
• APVXDWIN.EXE
• ATCON.EXE
• ATGUARD.EXE
• ATRO55EN.EXE
• ATUPDATER.EXE
• ATWATCH.EXE
• AUPDATE.EXE
• AUTODOWN.EXE
• AutoTrace.EXE
• AUTOUPDATE.EXE
• AVCONSOL.EXE
• AVE32.EXE
• AVGCC32.EXE
• Avgctrl.EXE
• AVGCTRL.EXE
• AVGNT.EXE
• AvgServ.EXE
• AVGSERV.EXE
• AVGSERV9.EXE
• AVGUARD.EXE
• AVGW.EXE
• avkpop.EXE
• AvkServ.EXE
• avkservice.EXE
• avkwctl9.EXE
• AVNT.EXE
• AVP.EXE
• AVP32.EXE
• AVPCC.EXE
• AVPDOS32.EXE
• avpm.EXE
• AVPM.EXE
• AVPTC32.EXE
• AVPUPD.EXE
• Avsched32.EXE
• AvSynMgr.AVSYNMGR.EXE
• AVWIN95.EXE
• AVWINNT.EXE
• AVWUPD32.EXE
• AVWUPSRV.EXE
• AVXMONITOR9X.EXE
• AVXMONITORNT.EXE
• AVXQUAR.EXE
• BD_PROFESSIONAL.EXE
• BIDEF.EXE
• BIDSERVER.EXE
• BIPCP.EXE
• BIPCPEVALSETUP.EXE
• BISP.EXE
• blackd.EXE
• BLACKD.EXE
• BlackICE.EXE
• BLACKICE.EXE
• BOOTWARN.EXE
• BORG2.EXE
• BS120.EXE
• ccApp.EXE
• ccEvtMgr.EXE
• ccPxySvc.EXE
• CDP.EXE
• CFGWIZ.EXE
• CFIADMIN.EXE
• CFIAUDIT.EXE
• CFINET.EXE
• CFINET32.EXE
• Claw95.EXE
• Claw95cf.EXE
• CLAW95CF.EXE
• CLEAN.EXE
• cleaner.EXE
• CLEANER.EXE
• cleaner3.EXE
• CLEANER3.EXE
• CLEANPC.EXE
• CMGRDIAN.EXE
• CMON016.EXE
• CONNECTIONMONITOR.EXE
• cpd.EXE
• CPD.EXE
• CPF9X206.EXE
• CPFNT206.EXE
• CTRL.EXE
• CV.EXE
• CWNB181.EXE
• CWNTDWMO.EXE
• defalert.EXE
• defscangui.EXE
• DEFWATCH.EXE
• DEPUTY.EXE
• DOORS.EXE
• DPF.EXE
• DPFSETUP.EXE
• DRWATSON.EXE
• DRWEB32.EXE
• DVP95.EXE
• DVP95_0.EXE
• ECENGINE.EXE
• EFPEADM.EXE
• ENT.EXE
• ESAFE.EXE
• ESCANH95.EXE
• ESCANHNT.EXE
• ESCANV95.EXE
• ESPWATCH.EXE
• ETRUSTCIPE.EXE
• EVPN.EXE
• EXANTIVIRUS-CNET.EXE
• EXE.AVXW.EXE
• EXPERT.EXE
• F-AGNT95.EXE
• fameh32.EXE
• FAST.EXE
• fch32.EXE
• fih32.EXE
• FINDVIRU.EXE
• FIREWALL.EXE
• FLOWPROTECTOR.EXE
• fnrb32.EXE
• FPROT.EXE
• F-PROT.EXE
• F-PROT95.EXE
• FP-WIN.EXE
• FP-WIN_TRIAL.EXE
• FRW.EXE
• fsaa.EXE
• FSAV.EXE
• fsav32.EXE
• FSAV530STBYB.EXE
• FSAV530WTBYB.EXE
• FSAV95.EXE
• fsgk32.EXE
• fsm32.EXE
• fsma32.EXE
• fsmb32.EXE
• f-stopw.EXE
• F-STOPW.EXE
• gbmenu.EXE
• GBMENU.EXE
• gbpoll.EXE
• GBPOLL.EXE
• GENERICS.EXE
• GUARD.EXE
• GUARDDOG.EXE
• HACKTRACERSETUP.EXE
• HTLOG.EXE
• HWPE.EXE
• iamapp.EXE
• IAMAPP.EXE
• iamserv.EXE
• IAMSERV.EXE
• IAMSTATS.EXE
• IBMASN.EXE
• IBMAVSP.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
• KAVPF.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
• LOCKDOWN2000.EXE
• LOOKOUT.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
• MONITOR.EXE
• MOOLIVE.EXE
• MPFAGENT.EXE
• MPFSERVICE.EXE
• MPFTRAY.EXE
• MRFLUX.EXE
• MSCONFIG.EXE
• MSINFO32.EXE
• MSSMMC32.EXE
• MU0311AD.EXE
• MWATCH.EXE
• N32SCANW.EXE
• NAV Auto-Protect.NAV80TRY.EXE
• NAVAP.navapsvc.EXE
• NAVAPSVC.EXE
• NAVAPW32.EXE
• NAVDX.EXE
• NAVENGNAVEX15.NAVLU32.EXE
• NAVLU32.EXE
• NAVNT.EXE
• NAVSTUB.EXE
• Navw32.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
• NOD32.EXE
• NORMIST.EXE
• NORTON_INTERNET_SECU_3.0_407.EXE
• notstart.EXE
• NPF40_TW_98_NT_ME_2K.EXE
• NPFMESSENGER.EXE
• NPROTECT.EXE
• npscheck.EXE
• NPSSVC.EXE
• NSCHED32.EXE
• ntrtscan.EXE
• NTVDM.EXE
• NTXconfig.EXE
• Nui.EXE
• Nupgrade.EXE
• NVARCH16.EXE
• NVC95.EXE
• nvsvc32.EXE
• NWINST4.EXE
• NWService.EXE
• NWTOOL16.EXE
• OSTRONET.EXE
• OUTPOST.EXE
• OUTPOSTINSTALL.EXE
• OUTPOSTPROINSTALL.EXE
• PADMIN.EXE
• PANIXK.EXE
• PAVCL.EXE
• pavproxy.EXE
• PAVPROXY.EXE
• PAVSCHED.EXE
• PAVW.EXE
• PCC2002S902.EXE
• PCC2K_76_1436.EXE
• PCCIOMON.EXE
• pccntmon.EXE
• pccwin97.EXE
• PCCWIN98.EXE
• PCDSETUP.EXE
• PCFWALLICON.EXE
• PCIP10117_0.EXE
• pcscan.EXE
• PDSETUP.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
• rapapp.EXE
• RAV7.EXE
• RAV7WIN.EXE
• RAV8WIN32ENG.EXE
• REALMON.EXE
• REGEDIT.EXE
• REGEDT32.EXE
• RESCUE.EXE
• RESCUE32.EXE
• RRGUARD.EXE
• RSHELL.EXE
• rtvscan.EXE
• RTVSCN95.EXE
• RULAUNCH.EXE
• SAFEWEB.EXE
• sbserv.EXE
• SBSERV.EXE
• SCAN32.EXE
• SCAN95.EXE
• SCANPM.EXE
• SCRSCAN.EXE
• SD.EXE
• SERV95.EXE
• SETUP_FLOWPROTECTOR_US.EXE
• SETUPVAMEEVAL.EXE
• SFC.EXE
• SGSSFW32.EXE
• SH.EXE
• SHELLSPYINSTALL.EXE
• SHN.EXE
• SMC.EXE
• SOFI.EXE
• SPF.EXE
• Sphinx.EXE
• SPHINX.EXE
• SPYXX.EXE
• SS3EDIT.EXE
• ST2.EXE
• SUPFTRL.EXE
• SUPPORTER5.EXE
• SWEEP95.EXE
• SweepNet.SWEEPSRV.SYS.SWNETSUP.EXE
• SymProxySvc.EXE
• SYMPROXYSVC.EXE
• SYMTRAY.EXE
• SYSEDIT.EXE
• TASKMON.EXE
• TAUMON.EXE
• TBSCAN.EXE
• TC.EXE
• TCA.EXE
• TCM.EXE
• TDS2-98.EXE
• TDS2-NT.EXE
• TDS-3.EXE
• TFAK.EXE
• TFAK5.EXE
• TGBOB.EXE
• TITANIN.EXE
• TITANINXP.EXE
• TRACERT.EXE
• TRJSCAN.EXE
• TRJSETUP.EXE
• TROJANTRAP3.EXE
• UNDOBOOT.EXE
• UPDATE.EXE
• vbcmserv.EXE
• VBCMSERV.EXE
• VbCons.EXE
• VBCONS.EXE
• VBUST.EXE
• VBWIN9X.EXE
• VBWINNTW.EXE
• VCSETUP.EXE
• VET32.EXE
• Vet95.EXE
• VET95.EXE
• VetTray.EXE
• VETTRAY.EXE
• VFSETUP.EXE
• VIR-HELP.EXE
• VIRUSMDPERSONALFIREWALL.EXE
• VNLAN300.EXE
• VNPC3000.EXE
• VPC32.EXE
• VPC42.EXE
• VPFW30S.EXE
• VPTRAY.EXE
• VSCAN40.EXE
• VSCENU6.02D30.EXE
• VSCHED.EXE
• VSECOMR.EXE
• vshwin32.EXE
• VSISETUP.EXE
• VSMAIN.EXE
• vsmon.EXE
• VSMON.EXE
• VSSTAT.EXE
• VSWIN9XE.EXE
• VSWINNTSE.EXE
• VSWINPERSE.EXE
• W32DSM89.EXE
• W9X.EXE
• WATCHDOG.EXE
• WEBSCANX.EXE
• WEBTRAP.EXE
• WFINDV32.EXE
• WGFE95.EXE
• WHOSWATCHINGME.EXE
• WIMMUN32.EXE
• WINRECON.EXE
• WNT.EXE
• WrAdmin.EXE
• WRADMIN.EXE
• WrCtrl.EXE
• WRCTRL.EXE
• WSBGATE.EXE
• WYVERNWORKSFIREWALL.EXE
• XPF202EN.EXE
• zapro.EXE
• ZAPRO.EXE
• ZAPSETUP3001.EXE
• ZATUTOR.EXE
• ZAUINST.EXE
• ZONALM2601.EXE
• zonealarm.EXE
• ZONEALARM.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.