W32.Maslan.A@mm

1. Creates some of the following files:
   
   • %System%\___j.dll (the part of the worm that is injected into svchost.exe)
   • %System%\___r.exe (the main worm executable)
   • %System%\___synmgr.exe (detected as W32.IRCBot)
   • %System%\___n.exe (detected as W32.IRCBot)
   • %System%\___e (contains a MIME encoder version of the worm)
   • %System%\___u (contains a dropper for the worm)
     
     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. Injects ___j.dll into the svchost.exe process.
   
   
3. Deletes and recreates the files:
   • %System%\Alaftp
   • %System%\AlaMail
   • %System%\AlaScan
   • %System%\AlaDdos
   • %System%\___prior
   • %System%\___m
   • %System%\___t
     
     The worm uses these to store data gathered from the infected computer.
     
     
4. Adds the values:
   
   "Microsoft Synchronization Manager" = "___synmgr.exe"
   "Microsoft Windows DHCP" = "___r.exe"
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   
   so that the worm runs every time Windows starts.
   
   
5. Adds the value:
   
   "Microsoft Synchronization Manager" = "___synmgr.exe"
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
   
   so that the worm runs every time Windows starts.
   
   
6. Starts ___r.exe.
   
   Note: The original file that was executed writes to its own memory space, causing it to crash. The other processes that the worm started continue running.
   
   
7. Terminates the following processes:
   
   • _AVPM.EXE
   • _AVPCC.EXE
   • _AVP32.EXE
   • ZONEALARM.EXE
   • ZAPSETUP3001.EXE
   • ZONALM2601.EXE
   • ZAPRO.EXE
   • VIRUSMDPERSONALFIREWALL.EXE
   • VIR-HELP.EXE
   • VFSETUP.EXE
   • TAUMON.EXE
   • TASKMON.EXE
   • TASKMGR.EXE
   • TASKMG.EXE
   • RESCUE32.EXE
   • PROCESSMONITOR.EXE
   • PADMIN.EXE
   • OUTPOSTINSTALL.EXE
   • OUTPOST.EXE
   • NPROTECT.EXE
   • NORTON_INTERNET_SECU_3.0_407.EXE
   • NETUTILS.EXE
   • NETMON.EXE
   • NC2000.EXE
   • NAVWNT.EXE
   • NAVW32.EXE
   • NAVDX.EXE
   • AUTO-PROTECT.NAV80TRY.EXE
   • NAV.EXE
   • KILLPROCESSSETUP161.EXE
   • KERIO-WRP-421-EN-WIN.EXE
   • KERIO-WRL-421-EN-WIN.EXE
   • KERIO-PF-213-EN-WIN.EXE
   • KAVPF.EXE
   • KAVPERS40ENG.EXE
   • KAVLITE40ENG.EXE
   • JAMMER.EXE
   • GUARDDOG.EXE
   • GUARD.EXE
   • DRWEBUPW.EXE
   • DRWEB32.EXE
   • DRWATSON.EXE
   • CLICK.EXE
   • CLEANPC.EXE
   • CLEANER3.EXE
   • CLEANER.EXE
   • AVPUPD.EXE
   • AVPTC32.EXE
   • AVPM.EXE
   • AVPDOS32.EXE
   • AVPCC.EXE
   • AVP32.EXE
   • AVP.EXE
   • AVKWCTl9.EXE
   • AVKSERVICE.EXE
   • AVKSERV.EXE
   • AVKPOP.EXE
   • AVGUARD.EXE
   • AUTOUPDATE.EXE
   • AUPDATE.EXE
   • ATGUARD.EXE
   • ANTIVIRUS.EXE
   • ANTI-TROJAN.EXE
     
     
8. Uses rootkit techniques to prevent the files and processes whose names start with ___ (three underscore characters) from being visible to users. This may also cause the Task Manager to fail to start.
   
   
9. Scans for computers and tries to exploit the DCOM RPC Vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-026) using TCP port 135.
   
   
10. Opens a back door by connecting to a remote IRC server to receive instructions from a remote attacker.
    
    
11. Monitors Internet Explorer windows that contain one of the following strings:
    
    • evocash
    • e-bullion
    • e-gold
    • mail
    • bank
    • trade
    • paypal
      
      When the worm detects a window containing one of the above strings, it logs keystrokes and sends this information to a remote web site.
      
      
12. Searches the hard drive for the files that contain the following substrings in their paths:
    
    • distr
    • download
    • setup
    • share
      
      
      and have one of the following extensions:
      
    • rar
    • zip
    • pif
    • exe
      
      
      The worm searches for files that meet the above criteria and are greater in size than %System%\___u. The worm then creates a back up copy of the file in the subfolder \___b, with the same file name and a similar file path.
      
      The worm then overwrites the original file with a copy of %System%\___u. This file will have the same file name, file path, file size, and icon as the original file, but with a .exe extension.
      
      Example:
      
      If the worm finds the following file:
      
      C:\test\share\example.zip
      
      it overwrites the above file with the following file:
      
      C:\test\share\example.exe (a copy of %System%\___u)
      
      and creates the file:
      
      C:\___b\test\share\example.zip (a back up of the original file)
      
      
13. Collects email addresses from the files with the following extensions:
    
    • xml
    • xls
    • wsh
    • wab
    • uin
    • txt
    • tbb
    • stm
    • shtm
    • sht
    • php
    • oft
    • ods
    • nch
    • msg
    • mm
    • f
    • mht
    • mdx
    • mbx
    • jsp
    • htm
    • eml
    • dhtm
    • dbx
    • cgi
    • cfg
    • asp
    • adb
      
      Avoids email addresses that contain the following substrings:
      
    • mail.com
    • freemail.com
    • hotmail.com
    • yahoo.com
    • msn.com
    • aol.com
    • subscribe
    • accoun
    • certific
    • listserv
    • ntivi
    • admin
    • mozilla
    • utgers.ed
    • tanford.e
    • pgp
    • acketst
    • secur
    • isc.o
    • isi.e
    • ripe.
    • arin.
    • sendmail
    • rfc-ed
    • ietf
    • iana
    • usenet
    • fido
    • linux
    • kernel
    • google
    • ibm.com
    • fsf.
    • gnu
    • mit.e
    • bsd
    • math
    • unix
    • berkeley
    • foo.
    • mysqlruslis
    • nodomai
    • mydomai
    • example
    • inpris
    • borlan
    • sopho
    • panda
    • syma
    • avp
    • abuse
    • www
    • spam
    • spm
    • test
    • page
    • the.bat
    • gold-certs
    • feste
    • submit
    • not
    • help
    • service
    • privacy
    • somebody
    • soft
    • contact
    • site
    • rating
    • bugs
    • you
    • your
    • someone
    • anyone
    • nothing
    • nobody
    • noone
    • webmaster
    • postmaster
    • samples
    • info
    • root
      
      
14. Sends itself to email addresses gathered from the infected computer. The email has the following characteristics:
    
    From: (Spoofed)
    
    Subject: 123
    
    Attachment: PlayGirls2.exe
    
    Message Body:
    
    Hello [Random name]
    --
    Best regards,
    [Random name]
    

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.