Trojan.Hotword.B

1. Displays the following dialogue box prompting the user for a decryption password for a ZipLip encrypted document:
   
   Title: This document contains confidential information!
   Message:
   Ziplip Encrypted Document
   Security for your eyes only www.ziplip.com
   
   
   
   
2. Copies itself as %System%\ svchost.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).
   
   
3. Adds the value:
   
   "regedit" = "%System%\ svchost.exe ccRegVfy"
   
   to the subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   
   so that the risk runs every time Windows starts.
   
   
4. Creates the following file so that it is executed every time Windows starts:
   
   %UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\Login.lnk
   
   Note: %UserProfile% is a variable that refers to the current user's profile folder. By default, this is C:\Documents and Settings\[Current User] (Windows NT/2000/XP).
   
   
5. Creates the following files:
   
   
   • %System%\CFXP.DRV
   • %System%\CHJO.DRV
   • %System%\MMSYSTEM.DLX
   • %System%\OLECLI.DLX
   • %System%\OLECLISystemUpdate_[date and time].DLX
   • %System%\Windll.dlx
   • %System%\Activity.AVI
   • %System%\Upgrade.AVI
   • %System%\System.lst
   • %System%\PF30txt.dlx
   • %CurrentFolder%\windows.mpg
     
     Notes:
   • [date and time] is the date and time that the screenshot contained in the file was taken. If the screenshot was taken on May 30, 2005 at 11.30.55 AM, the file would be called %System%\OLECLISystemUpdate_30.05.2005 11.30.55.DLX.
   • %CurrentFolder% is a variable that refers to the folder where the risk was originally executed.
     
     
6. Adds a section [WindowsSys32] to the file %Windir%\Win.ini with status information of its update.
   
   Note: %Windir% is a variable that refers to the Windows installation folder. By default, this is C:\Windows or C:\Winnt.
   
   
7. Opens an FTP connection to ftp.microsoft.com to test the Internet connectivity.
   
   
8. Opens a back door by connecting to an FTP server on the ftp.targetdata.biz domain. The Trojan attempts to download a remote file containing configuration settings.
   
   
9. Depending on the settings contained in the downloaded configuration file, the Trojan may perform some of the following actions:
   
   
   • Log keystrokes
   • Capture video footage
   • Capture screenshots
   • Search for files with .doc, .xls, .ppt, .mdb, or .eml extensions
   • Check for recently modified files
   • Upload and download files
   • Monitor visited URLs
   • Send ICQ configuration settings
   • Send Palm configuration settings
   • Execute commands
   • Send email
   • Reboot computer
   • Delete itself
   • Modify firewall settings

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.