W32.HLLW.Sodabot

SUMMARY

W32.HLLW.Sodabot has backdoor Trojan capability, which allows a hacker to gain control of the compromised computer. The worm can update itself by checking for newer versions over the Internet. W32.HLLW.Sodabot disguises itself as a popular movie, game, or software file. The worm attempts to spread across KaZaA and Morpheus file-sharing networks, by tricking KaZaA and Morpheus users into downloading the program and opening it. It also attempts to spread itself through the Internet Relay Chat (IRC).

This threat is compressed with UPX and ASPack.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) December 30, 2002
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) December 30, 2002

Threat Assessment

Wild

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

Damage

• Damage Level: Medium
• Compromises Security Settings: Allows a hacker to gain control of the compromised computer.

Distribution

• Distribution Level: Medium
• Ports: variable
• Shared Drives: KaZaA and Morpheus shared folder

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When W32.HLLW.Sodabot runs, it does the following:

1. Copies itself as:

• C:\%System%LEXPLORE.exe.
• C:WindowsGUESS_WHAT_YOU_HAVE_BEEN_OWNED
  
  NOTE: %System% is a variable. The worm locates the WindowsSystem folder and copies itself to that location. By default, this is C:WindowsSystem (Windows 95/98/Me), C:WindowsSystem32 (Windows XP), or C:WinntSystem32(Windows 2000/NT).
  

2. It adds the value:

Windws Configuration Loader C:\%System%LEXPLORE.exe

to the registry keys

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindows
CurrentVersionRunServices

so that the worm runs when you restart Windows.

3. Opens a randomly chosen TCP or UDP port to connect to the hacker.

W32.HLLW.Sodabot contains its own IRC client. This allows the worm to connect to an IRC channel coded into the worm. Using the IRC channel, the worm listens for commands from the hacker. The commands allow the hacker to perform any of the following actions:

• Manage the installation of the backdoor.
• Control the IRC client on the compromised computer.
• Dynamically update the installed worm.
• Send the worm to other IRC channels to attempt to compromise more computers.
• Download and execute files.
• Deliver system and network information to the hacker.
• Perform Denial of Service (DoS) attacks against a target, which the hacker defines.

4. Copies itself as the following:

• C:MircDownload15_year_old_rape.pif
• C:MircDownloadSwimsuit-screensaver02.scr

If the KaZaA or Morpheus default shared folders exist on the computer, the worm copies itself to the folders using many different names carried by the worm. Here are some examples:

• Delphi.exe
• Gotmail.exe
• Diablo3_beta.exe
• Change_xp_serial.exe
• Norton_anti_virus_crack.exe
• Minnesotachick.jpg.exe
• Cobra_scrensaver.scr
• Thanksgiving_screensaver.scr
• Die_Aonther_Day_Theme.mp3.pif
• Greetingcard.pif

NOTE: For the worm to spread in this manner, the KaZaA or Morpheus software must be installed on the computer.

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

These instructions are for all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.

1. Update the virus definitions.
2. Restart the computer in Safe mode.
3. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as W32.HLLW.Sodabot.
4. Delete the value
   
   Windws Configuration Loader C:\%System%LEXPLORE.exe
   
   from the registry keys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows
   CurrentVersionRunServices

For further details, read the following instructions.

Updating the virus definitions
Symantec Security Response fully tests all the virus definitions for quality assurance before they are posted to our servers. There are two ways to obtain the most recent virus definitions:

• Running LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain the virus definitions. These virus definitions are posted to the LiveUpdate servers once each week (usually on Wednesdays), unless there is a major virus outbreak. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by LiveUpdate, refer to the Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate) line at the top of this writeup.
• Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater. The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted on U.S. business days (Monday through Friday). You should download the definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site and manually install them. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, refer to the Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) line at the top of this writeup.
  
  The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are available here. For detailed instructions on how to download and install the Intelligent Updater virus definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site, click here.

Scanning for and deleting the infected files

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
   • For Norton AntiVirus consumer products: Read the document, "How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files."
   • For Symantec AntiVirus Enterprise products: Read the document, "How to verify a Symantec Corporate antivirus product is set to scan All Files."
2. Run a full system scan.
3. If any files are detected as infected with W32.HLLW.Sodabot, click Delete.

Restarting the computer in Safe mode
All Windows 32-bit operating systems, except Windows NT, can be restarted in Safe mode. For instructions on how to do this, read the document, "How to start the computer in Safe Mode."

Deleting the values from the registry

CAUTION: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before you make any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify the specified keys only. Read the document, "How to make a backup of the Windows registry," for instructions.

1. Click Start, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
2. Type regedit, and then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)
3. Navigate to each of these registry keys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows
   CurrentVersionRunServices
   
4. Under each key, in the right pane, delete the following value:
   
   Windws Configuration Loader C:\%System%LEXPLORE.exe
   
5. Exit the Registry Editor.