W32.Icabdi.A

1. Creates the following temporary folder:
   
   iCab
   
   
2. Searches the current folder for files with the .xsn extension, which is used by Microsoft Office InfoPath files. These files are compressed CAB archives of a set of files.
   
   
3. Copies every .xsn file it finds into the iCab folder, and extracts the files embedded in it by running the following command:
   
   %System%\extrac32.exe /e /a [FILE NAME].xsn
   
   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).
   
   
4. Attempts to modify one of the files it extracts from the .xsn file, script.js, by injecting malicious code at the beginning of the XDocument::OnLoad function in this file. This will cause the execution of the malicious code when the .xsn file is opened. If this function does not exist in the file script.js, or the script contains the text iCab, then the virus will not infect it.
   
   Note: Files that are successfully infected are detected as JS.Icabdi.A.
   
   
5. Creates a list of the files contained in the original .xsn file and writes it into the following file:
   
   iCabdire.txt
   
   
6. Repacks the files it extracted from the original .xsn file (including the potentially infected script) into a file named disk1.cab by running the following command:
   
   makecab /F iCabdire.txt
   
   
7. Attempts to replace the original .xsn file with the disk1.cab file, which contains the infected script.
   
   
8. Attempts to delete the folder iCab and the iCabdire.txt file, once all the .xsn files in the current folder are analyzed and potentially infected.
   
   
9. When an infected .xsn file is opened, the JS.Icabdi.A script drops an encoded version of the virus executable in the file C:\iCab.txt and decodes it to the following file:
   
   C:\iCab.exe
   
   

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.