Backdoor.Sadmind.Dr

SUMMARY

Backdoor.Sadmind.Dr is the detection for any files that are dropped onto a Windows 95/98/NT/2000 computer by a Solaris system that is infected with the Backdoor.Sadmind Trojan.

NOTE: Files that are detected as Backdoor.Sadmind.Dr on a computer running Windows cannot infect another computer. These files are the payload of a Backdoor.Sadmind Trojan infection on a Solaris computer.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) June 5, 2001
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) June 5, 2001

Threat Assessment

Wild

• Wild Level: Low
• Number of Infections: More than 1000
• Number of Sites: More than 10
• Geographical Distribution: Low
• Threat Containment: Easy
• Removal: Easy

Damage

• Damage Level: Low

Distribution

• Distribution Level: Low

TECHNICAL DETAILS

This detection can occur in the following ways:

On computers running Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000
The infection can occur in an .html file in the Temporary Internet folder when you go to a Web site that has been compromised by the Backdoor.Sadmind Trojan.

On computers running Windows NT/2000 with IIS installed
Backdoor.Sadmind.Dr can be detected in files in the root folder, and in the Inetpd folder of a Windows NT/2000 system that has Internet Information Services (IIS) installed, if that system has been in contact with a Solaris system that is infected by Backdoor.Sadmind.

The Backdoor.Sadmind Trojan uses the Solaris computer to target and compromise computers that are running Windows with IIS. Once a Solaris computer is infected, the Trojan searches for any Windows-based computers that have IIS installed and then downloads the payload files that Norton AntiVirus detects as Backdoor.Sadmind.Dr.

For additional information, see the Backdoor.Sadmind write-up.

Recommendations

Symantec Security Response encourages all users and administrators to adhere to the following basic security "best practices":

• Turn off and remove unneeded services. By default, many operating systems install auxiliary services that are not critical, such as an FTP server, telnet, and a Web server. These services are avenues of attack. If they are removed, blended threats have less avenues of attack and you have fewer services to maintain through patch updates.
• If a blended 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 (for example, all Windows-based computers should have the current Service Pack installed.). Additionally, please apply any security updates that are mentioned in this writeup, in trusted Security Bulletins, or on vendor Web sites.
• 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.
• Configure your email server to block or remove email that contains file attachments that are commonly used to spread viruses, such as .vbs, .bat, .exe, .pif and .scr files.
• Isolate infected computers quickly to prevent further compromising your organization. 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.

REMOVAL

1. Run LiveUpdate to make sure that you have the most recent virus definitions.
2. Start Norton AntiVirus (NAV), and run a full system scan, making sure that NAV is set to scan all files.
3. If any files are detected as infected by Backdoor.Sadmind.Dr, click Delete.
4. If you are running Windows NT/2000, download and install the Microsoft security patch for IIS from:
   
   http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS00-078.asp
   
   NOTE: This patch is included in Service Pack 2

For IIS Version 4:
http://www.microsoft.com/ntserver/nts/downloads/critical/q269862/default.asp

For IIS Version 5:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/critical/q269862/default.asp

Additional advice on securing IIS Web servers is available from
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/iis5chk.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/tools.asp