W32.Spybot.DNC

Risk Level 2: Low

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Discovered: September 13, 2004
Updated: February 13, 2007 12:27:27 PM
Type: Worm
Systems Affected: Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows XP


When W32.Spybot.DNC is executed, it will perform the following actions:
  1. Creates the following copy of itself:

    %System%\TimeSRV.exe

    Note: %System% is a variable that refers to the System folder. 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:

    "Windows Time Server" = "TimeSRV.exe"

    to the following registry keys

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OLE


    so that the worm is executed every time Windows starts.

  3. Connects to an IRC channel on TCP port 6667 and listens for commands from a remote attacker. These commands may allow the attacker to perform some of the following actions on the infected computer:
    • Download and execute files.
    • Scan the network for servers running backdoor Trojan horses.
    • List, stop, and start processes.
    • Launch Denial of Service (DoS) attacks.
    • Steal system information and send it to the attacker.
    • Log keystrokes and saves them to a file in the %System% folder.
    • Open a backdoor port.
    • Delete, create, and list files.
    • Perform port redirection.
    • Flush local DNS cache.
    • Start a socks proxy.

  4. Spreads to shared resources using a predefined list of user names and passwords. If successful, the worm will attempt to copy itself to the remote computer.

  5. Scans for computers and tries to exploit one of the following vulnerabilities:
  6. Steals passwords and CD keys for the following games:
    • Counter-Strike
    • The Gladiators
    • Gunman Chronicles
    • Half-Life
    • Industry Giant 2
    • Legends of Might and Magic
    • Soldiers Of Anarchy
    • Unreal Tournament 2003
    • Unreal Tournament 2004
    • IGI 2: Covert Strike
    • Freedom Force
    • Battlefield 1942
    • Battlefield 1942 (Road To Rome)
    • Battlefield 1942 (Secret Weapons of WWII)
    • Battlfield Vietnam
    • Black and White
    • James Bond 007: Nightfire
    • Global Operations
    • Medal of Honor: Allied Assault
    • Medal of Honor: Allied Assault: Breakthrough
    • Medal of Honor: Allied Assault: Spearhead
    • Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2
    • Need For Speed: Underground
    • Shogun: Total War: Warlord Edition
    • FIFA 2002
    • FIFA 2003
    • NHL 2002
    • NHL 2003
    • Nascar Racing 2002
    • Nascar Racing 2003
    • Rainbow Six III RavenShield
    • Command and Conquer: Generals
    • Command and Conquer: Tiberian Sun
    • Command and Conquer: Red Alert
    • Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2
    • NOX
    • Chrome
    • Hidden & Dangerous 2
    • Soldier of Fortune II - Double Helix
    • Neverwinter Nights
    • Neverwinter Nights (Shadows of Undrentide)
    • Neverwinter Nights (Hordes of the Underdark)


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: Candid Wueest
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