W32.Nodmin@mm

Risk Level 2: Low

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Discovered:: January 21, 2005
Updated:: February 13, 2007 12:32:14 PM
Also Known As:: Worm.Win32.VB.u [Kaspersky Lab, W32/Nodmin-A [Sophos], WORM_NODMIN.A [Trend Micro]
Type:: Worm
Systems Affected:: Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP

W32.Nodmin@mm is a mass-mailing worm that alters computer settings and spreads via file sharing networks. The worm also attempts to lower security settings by terminating and disabling various anti-virus and security related programs.

This threat is written in Visual Basic.

To manually edit the Hosts file and remove all the entries that the worm added

Note: The location of the Hosts file may vary and some computers may not have this file. For example, if the file exists in Windows 98, it will usually be in C:\Windows; and it is located in the C:\WINNT\system32\drivers\etc folder in Windows 2000. There may also be multiple copies of this file in different locations.

Follow the instructions for your operating system:

Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000
1. Click Start, point to Find or Search, and then click Files or Folders.
2. Make sure that "Look in" is set to (C:) and that "Include subfolders" is checked.
3. In the "Named" or "Search for..." box, type:hosts
4. Click Find Now or Search Now.
5. For each Hosts file that you find, right-click the file, and then click Open With.
6. Deselect the "Always use this program to open this program" check box.
7. Scroll through the list of programs and double-click Notepad.
8. When the file opens, delete all the entries in Step Number 7 of the "Technical Details" section.
9. Close Notepad and save your changes when prompted.
Windows XP
1. Click Start > Search.
2. Click All files and folders.
3. In the "All or part of the file name" box, type:
  
  hosts
4. Verify that "Look in" is set to "Local Hard Drives" or to (C:).
5. Click More advanced options.
6. Check Search system folders.
7. Check Search subfolders.
8. Click Search.
9. Click Find Now or Search Now.
10. For each Hosts file that you find, right-click the file, and then click Open With.
11. Deselect the Always use this program to open this program check box.
12. Scroll through the list of programs and double-click Notepad.
13. When the file opens, delete all the entries in Step Number 7 of the "Technical Details" section.
14. Close Notepad and save your changes when prompted.

Antivirus Protection Dates

Initial Rapid Release version January 21, 2005
Latest Rapid Release version September 28, 2010 revision 054
Initial Daily Certified version January 21, 2005
Latest Daily Certified version September 28, 2010 revision 036
Initial Weekly Certified release date January 26, 2005

Click for a more detailed description of Rapid Release and Daily Certified virus definitions.

Threat Assessment

Wild

Wild Level: Low
Number of Infections: 0 - 49
Number of Sites: 0 - 2
Geographical Distribution: Low
Threat Containment: Easy
Removal: Moderate

Damage

Damage Level: Medium

Distribution

Distribution Level: High

Writeup By: Candid Wueest

Technical Details

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Internet Security Threat Report, Volume 16