W32.Gaobot.BIA

1. Copies itself as %System%\winupdate.exe.
   
   
2. Adds the following value:
   
   "blah service" = "winupdate.exe"
   
   to the registry entries:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices\
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OLE\
   
   so that it executes every time Windows starts.
   
   
3. Opens a backdoor by connecting to a remote IRC server and awaits commands from a remote attacker. The backdoor allows the attacker to perform the following actions on the compromised system:
   
   • Download and execute files
   • Scan the network
   • List, stop, and start processes
   • Control the file system (Delete, create, and list files)
   • Launch Denial of Service (DoS) attacks
   • Perform port redirection
   • Start a SOCKS proxy
   • Log all keystrokes
   • Steal system information and send it to the attacker
     
     
4. Scans for other systems on the network and attempts to connect to shared resources using a predefined list of usernames and passwords. If it is successful, the worm attempts to copy itself to the remote system.
   
   
5. Exploits the following vulnerabilities in order to spread to other computers:
   
   • The DCOM RPC vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-026) using TCP port 135.
   • The Microsoft Windows Local Security Authority Service Remote Buffer Overflow (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-011).
   • The vulnerabilities in the Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or MSDE 2000 audit (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS02-061) using UDP port 1434.
   • The WebDav vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-007) using TCP port 80.
   • The UPnP NOTIFY Buffer Overflow vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS01-059).
   • 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 DameWare Mini Remote Control Server Pre-Authentication Buffer Overflow vulnerability (described in CAN-2003-0960.)
     
     
6. Copies itself to other systems which are infected with one of the following backdoor Trojan horse programs:
   
   • W32.Beagle
   • W32.Mydoom
   • Backdoor.Optix
   • Backdoor.Netdevil
   • Backdoor.Dameware
   • Backdoor.Kuang2
   • Backdoor.SubSeven
     
     
7. Steals CD keys for the following games:
   
   • Neverwinter Nights (Hordes of the Underdark)
   • Neverwinter Nights (Shadows of Undrentide)
   • Neverwinter Nights
   • Soldier of Fortune II - Double Helix
   • Hidden & Dangerous 2
   • Chrome
   • NOX
   • Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2
   • Command and Conquer: Red Alert
   • Command and Conquer: Tiberian Sun
   • Rainbow Six III RavenShield
   • Nascar Racing 2003
   • Nascar Racing 2002
   • NHL 2003
   • NHL 2002
   • FIFA 2003
   • FIFA 2002
   • Shogun: Total War: Warlord Edition
   • Need For Speed: Underground
   • Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2
   • Medal of Honor: Allied Assault: Spearhead
   • Medal of Honor: Allied Assault: Breakthrough
   • Medal of Honor: Allied Assault
   • Global Operations
   • Command and Conquer: Generals
   • James Bond 007: Nightfire
   • Command and Conquer: Generals (Zero Hour)
   • Black and White
   • Battlefield Vietnam
   • Battlefield 1942 (Secret Weapons of WWII)
   • Battlefield 1942 (Road To Rome)
   • Battlefield 1942
   • Freedom Force
   • IGI 2: Covert Strike
   • Unreal Tournament 2004
   • Unreal Tournament 2003
   • Soldiers Of Anarchy
   • Legends of Might and Magic
   • Industry Giant 2
   • Half-Life
   • Gunman Chronicles
   • The Gladiators
   • Counter-Strike (Retail)
     

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.