DMsetup.IRC.Worm

SUMMARY

This is an IRC worm that sends itself to other users in the IRC channel. It creates the Godicq.ini file in the Mirc folder. Norton AntiVirus detects the Godicq.ini file as IRC.Family.Gen.

NOTE: There are some variants of this worm that use file names other than Godicq.ini.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) June 22, 2001

Threat Assessment

Wild

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

Damage

• Damage Level: Low
• Modifies Files: Autoexec.bat

Distribution

• Distribution Level: Low

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When executed, this worm performs the following actions:

1. It opens a DOS window and prompts the user to "Press any key."
2. When a key is pressed, colorful ovals are displayed until another key is pressed.
3. When that key is pressed, the worm displays the message in a DOS window:
   
   START UP ERROR: Can not find vital data!
   
4. Next, the worm copies itself as Godicq.exe to the following folders (if they exist):
   
   NOTE: There are some variants of this worm that use file names other than Godicq.exe.
   
   • C:
   • C:Windows
   • C:Mirc
   • C:WindowsSystem
   • C:YOUARENOTSURPOSEDTOBELOOKINGATTHIS
   • C:Progra~1
   • C:Dos
   • C:Quake
   • C:Doom
   • C:Doom2
   • C:Games
   • C:Pics
     
5. The string GODICQ -inauto is added to the C:Autoexec.bat file to run the worm at startup.
6. The next time that Windows starts, the worm creates the Lim.exe file in the same folders in which Godicq.exe was created. It also adds another string, Lim.exe -inauto, to the C:Autoexec.bat file.
7. The worm also creates the following files:
   • C:MircGodicq.ini
   • C:MircMirc.ini
   • C:MircLim.ini
   • C:Ni.cfg
8. The C:MircMirc.ini file is copied to C:MircBakupwrks.ini.

The C:MircGodicq.ini and C:MircLim.ini files are the actual IRC worm and contain the instructions to send Godicq.exe or Lim.exe to other IRC users. Both Godicq.ini and Lim.ini are detected by Norton AntiVirus as IRC.Family.Gen.

NOTE: There are some variants of this worm that use file names other than Godicq.exe.

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. Write down the names of any files detected as DMsetup.IRC.Worm, and then delete them.
4. Using Windows Explorer, delete any of the following files that still exist:
   • C:MircGodicq.ini
     
     NOTE: This file may be detected as a different file name, depending on the variant.
     
   • C:MircLim.ini
   • C:Ni.cfg
   • C:MircBakupwrks.ini
5. If you use mIRC, replace Mirc.ini with a backup copy.
6. Click Start, and click Run.
7. Type the following, and then click OK.
   
   edit c:autoexec.bat
   
   The MS-DOS Editor opens.
   
8. Look for the following lines, and if you find them, delete them:
   
   GODICQ -inauto
   Lim -inauto
   
9. Exit the MS-DOS Editor, and save changes when prompted.