W32.Spybot.EAS

1. Creates the following copy of itself:
   
   %System%\winupdate.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:
   
   "winupdate.reg" = "winupdate.exe"
   
   to the registry keys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
   
   so that the worm is executed every time Windows starts.
   
   
3. Adds the value:
   
   "con.exe"
   
   to the following registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services
   
   
4. Deletes the following local network shares:
   
   • $ipc
   • $admin
   • $c
   • $d
     
     
5. Attempts to open a backdoor by connecting to an IRC channel on latina.a.la using TCP port 6667. The worm will listen for commands that allow the attacker to perform the following actions:
   
   • Download and execute files.
   • Scan the network for servers running backdoor Trojans.
   • List, stop, and start processes.
   • Launch Denial of Service (DoS) attacks.
   • Steal system information and send it to the attacker.
   • Perform port redirection.
   • Start a socks4/5 proxy.
     
     
6. May scan for computers and try to exploit one of the following vulnerabilities:
   
   • The UPnP NOTIFY Buffer Overflow Vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS01-059).
   • The Microsoft Windows Local Security Authority Service Remote Buffer Overflow (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-011).
     
     
7. Attempts to steal passwords and CD keys for the following games:
   
   • Black and White
   • Battlefield 1942: Vietnam
   • Battlefield 1942: The Road To Rome
   • Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons Of WWII
   • Battlefield 1942
   • Counter-Strike
   • Command and Conquer: Tiberian Sun
   • Command and Conquer: Red Alert2
   • Command and Conquer: Generals: Zero Hour
   • Command and Conquer: Generals
   • Call of Duty
   • Unreal Tournament 2004
   • Unreal Tournament 2003
   • The Gladiators
   • Soldier of Fortune II - Double Helix
   • Soldiers Of Anarchy
   • Shogun: Total War: Warlord Edition
   • Ravenshield
   • Neverwinter Nights
   • Need For Speed: Underground
   • Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
   • NHL 2003
   • NHL 2002
   • Nascar Racing 2003
   • Nascar Racing 2002
   • Medal of Honor: Allied Assault: Spearhead
   • Medal of Honor: Allied Assault: Breakthrough
   • Medal of Honor: Allied Assault:
   • James Bond 007: Nightfire
   • Industry Giant 2
   • IGI2: Covert Strike
   • Hidden and Dangerous 2
   • Gunman Chronicles
   • Global Operations
   • Freedom Force
   • FIFA 2003
   • FIFA 2002
     
     
8. Attempts to steal user information and IDs from the following software:
   
   • Microsoft Messenger service (MSN)
   • Product IDs for Microsoft Windows
   • Yahoo messenger
   • AOL instant messenger (AIM)

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.