W32.Sober.Q@mm

1. Displays the following message:
   
   
   
   
2. Creates the following files:
   
   
   • %Windir%ConnectionStatus\services.exe
   • %Windir%ConnectionStatus\netslot.nst (a BASE-64 encoded file of the zipped version of the worm)
   • %System%\bbvmwxxf.hml
   • %System%\gdfjgthv.cvq
   • %System%\langeinf.lin
   • %System%\nonrunso.ber
   • %System%\rubezahl.rub
   • %System%\seppelmx.smx
     
     Notes:
   • %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).
   • %Windir% is a variable that refers to the Windows installation folder. By default, this is C:\Windows (Windows 95/98/Me/XP) or C:\Winnt (Windows NT/2000).
   • Due to a bug, the files %Windir%ConnectionStatus\services.exe and %Windir%ConnectionStatus\netslot.nst do not run on the Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese and Korean versions of Windows.
     
     
3. Adds the value:
   
   " WinINet" = "%Windir%\ConnectionStatus\services.exe"
   
   to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   
   so that it runs every time Windows starts.
   
   
4. Adds the value:
   
   "_WinINet" = "%Windir%\ConnectionStatus\services.exe"
   
   to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   
   so that it runs every time Windows starts.
   
   
5. Gathers email addresses from files with the following extensions:
   
   
   • pmr
   • phtm
   • stm
   • slk
   • inbox
   • imb
   • csv
   • bak
   • imh
   • xhtml
   • imm
   • imh
   • cms
   • nws
   • vcf
   • ctl
   • dhtm
   • cgi
   • pp
   • ppt
   • msg
   • jsp
   • oft
   • vbs
   • uin
   • ldb
   • abc
   • pst
   • cfg
   • mdw
   • mbx
   • mdx
   • mda
   • adp
   • nab
   • fdb
   • vap
   • dsp
   • ade
   • sln
   • dsw
   • mde
   • frm
   • bas
   • adr
   • cls
   • ini
   • ldif
   • log
   • mdb
   • xml
   • wsh
   • tbb
   • abx
   • abd
   • adb
   • pl
   • rtf
   • mmf
   • doc
   • ods
   • nch
   • xls
   • nsf
   • txt
   • wab
   • eml
   • hlp
   • mht
   • nfo
   • php
   • asp
   • shtml
   • dbx
     
     
6. Saves the collected email addresses in the following file:
   
   %Windir%\ConnectionStatus\socket.dli
   
   
7. The gathered email addresses have one of the following domain names:
   
   
   • .de
   • .at
   • .ch
   • .com
   • .net
     
     
8. Sends email to the email addresses gathered. The email has an attachment of a zip file that contains the file PW_Klass.Pic.packed-bitmap.exe, which is a copy of W32.Sober.Q@mm. The email is written in English or German.
   
   The email has the following properties:
   
   English
   From: [Spoofed]
   
   Subject: Your new Password
   
   Message Body:
   Your password was successfully changed!
   Please see the attached file for detailed information.
   
   Attachment: pword_change.zip
   
   
   German
   From: [Spoofed]
   
   Subject: Fwd: Klassentreffen
   
   Message Body:
   hi,
   ich hoffe jetzt mal das ich endlich [REMOVED] fuer dir belaestigung ;)
   liebe gruesse:
   
   Attachment: KlassenFoto.zip
   
   Notes:
   • "ae" represents "a Umlaut". "ue" represents "u Umlaut". "ss" represents "Eszett".
   • If the email address has one of the following strings, it sends email in German:
     
     
     • -- de
     • -- ch
     • -- at
     • -- it
     • -- gmx.
       
       
9. Attempts to end processes that contain the following strings, which may be related to other worms:
   
   
   • mrt.exe
   • asw*.tmp
     

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.