W32.Saros@mm

SUMMARY

W32.Saros@mm is a worm that propagates through email, MIRC, and file-sharing networks.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) August 4, 2004
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) August 3, 2004

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: Low
• Large Scale E-mailing: Sends an email to all the addresses in the MS Outlook address book.
• Compromises Security Settings: Lowers MS Outlook security settings.

Distribution

• Distribution Level: High
• Subject of Email: Microsoft Outlook News
• Name of Attachment: MSOutlookInternetUpdate.exe
• Size of Attachment: 48,514 bytes
• Target of Infection: Spreads through file-sharing networks.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When W32.Saros@mm is run, it performs the following actions:

1. Attempts to create the following files, which are copies of itself:
   • WINDOWSsystem32NonYou.exe
   • WINDOWSsystem32Love-ScreenSaver.scr
   • WINDOWSsystem32MSOutlookInternetUpdate.exe
   • progra~1KazaaMy Shared FolderRosy.exe
   • progra~1KazaaMy Shared FolderPipponoto.exe
   • progra~1KazaaMy Shared FolderAnastacia - Left Outside Alone.mp3.exe
   • progra~1KazaaMy Shared FolderThe Rasmus - In The Shadows.mp3.exe
   • progra~1KazaaMy Shared Folder50 Cent - In da Club.mp3.exe
   • progra~1KazaaMy Shared FolderVanessa Carltron - Ordinary Day.mp3.exe
   • progra~1KazaaMy Shared FolderHaiducii - Dragostea Din Tei.mp3.exe
   • progra~1KazaaMy Shared FolderBlack Eyed Peas - Hey Mama.mp3.exe
   • progra~1KazaaMy Shared FolderRaf - In tutti i miei giorni.mp3.exe
   • progra~1KazaaMy Shared FolderVasco Rossi - Buoni e cattivi.mp3.exe
   • progra~1KazaaMy Shared FolderLionel Richie - Just For You.mp3.exe
   • progra~1Kazaa LiteMy Shared FolderRosy.exe
   • progra~1Kazaa LiteMy Shared FolderPipponoto.exe
   • progra~1Kazaa LiteMy Shared FolderAnastacia - Left Outside Alone.mp3.exe
   • progra~1Kazaa LiteMy Shared FolderThe Rasmus - In The Shadows.mp3.exe
   • progra~1Kazaa LiteMy Shared Folder50 Cent - In da Club.mp3.exe
   • progra~1Kazaa LiteMy Shared FolderVanessa Carltron - Ordinary Day.mp3.exe
   • progra~1Kazaa LiteMy Shared FolderHaiducii - Dragostea Din Tei.mp3.exe
   • progra~1Kazaa LiteMy Shared FolderBlack Eyed Peas - Hey Mama.mp3.exe
   • progra~1Kazaa LiteMy Shared FolderRaf - In tutti i miei giorni.mp3.exe
   • progra~1Kazaa LiteMy Shared FolderVasco Rossi - Buoni e cattivi.mp3.exe
   • progra~1Kazaa LiteMy Shared FolderLionel Richie - Just For You.mp3.exe
   • progra~1Kazaa Lite K++My Shared FolderRosy.exe
   • progra~1Kazaa Lite K++My Shared FolderPipponoto.exe
   • progra~1Kazaa Lite K++My Shared FolderAnastacia - Left Outside Alone.mp3.exe
   • progra~1Kazaa Lite K++My Shared FolderThe Rasmus - In The Shadows.mp3.exe
   • progra~1Kazaa Lite K++My Shared Folder50 Cent - In da Club.mp3.exe
   • progra~1Kazaa Lite K++My Shared FolderVanessa Carltron - Ordinary Day.mp3.exe
   • progra~1Kazaa Lite K++My Shared FolderHaiducii - Dragostea Din Tei.mp3.exe
   • progra~1Kazaa Lite K++My Shared FolderHaiducii - Dragostea din tei.mp3.exe
   • progra~1Kazaa Lite K++My Shared FolderRaf - In tutti i miei giorni.mp3.exe
   • progra~1Kazaa Lite K++My Shared FolderVasco Rossi - Buoni e cattivi.mp3.exe
   • progra~1Kazaa Lite K++My Shared FolderLionel Richie - Just For You.mp3.exe
   • progra~1ICQShared FolderRosy.exe
   • progra~1ICQShared FolderPipponoto.exe
   • progra~1ICQShared FolderAnastacia - Left Outside Alone.mp3.exe
   • progra~1ICQShared FolderThe Rasmus - In The Shadows.mp3.exe
   • progra~1ICQShared Folder50 Cent - In da Club.mp3.exe
   • progra~1ICQShared FolderVanessa Carltron - Ordinary Day.mp3.exe
   • progra~1ICQShared FolderHaiducii - Dragostea Din Tei.mp3.exe
   • progra~1ICQShared FolderBlack Eyed Peas - Hey Mama.mp3.exe
   • progra~1ICQShared FolderRaf - In tutti i miei giorni.mp3.exe
   • progra~1ICQShared FolderVasco Rossi - Buoni e cattivi.mp3.exe
   • progra~1ICQShared FolderLionel Richie - Just For You.mp3.exe
   • progra~1GroksterMy GroksterRosy.exe
   • progra~1GroksterMy GroksterPipponoto.exe
   • progra~1GroksterMy GroksterAnastacia - Left Outside Alone.mp3.exe
   • progra~1GroksterMy GroksterThe Rasmus - In The Shadows.mp3.exe
   • progra~1GroksterMy Grokster50 Cent - In da Club.mp3.exe
   • progra~1GroksterMy GroksterVanessa Carltron - Ordinary Day.mp3.exe
   • progra~1GroksterMy GroksterHaiducii - Dragostea Din Tei.mp3.exe
   • progra~1GroksterMy GroksterBlack Eyed Peas - Hey Mama.mp3.exe
   • progra~1GroksterMy GroksterRaf - In tutti i miei giorni.mp3.exe
   • progra~1GroksterMy GroksterVasco Rossi - Buoni e cattivi.mp3.exe
   • progra~1GroksterMy GroksterLionel Richie - Just For You.mp3.exe
   • progra~1BearshareSharedRosy.exe
   • progra~1BearshareSharedPipponoto.exe
   • progra~1BearshareSharedAnastacia - Left Outside Alone.mp3.exe
   • progra~1BearshareSharedThe Rasmus - In The Shadows.mp3.exe
   • progra~1BearshareShared50 Cent - In da Club.mp3.exe
   • progra~1BearshareSharedVanessa Carltron - Ordinary Day.mp3.exe
   • progra~1BearshareSharedHaiducii - Dragostea Din Tei.mp3.exe
   • progra~1BearshareSharedBlack Eyed Peas - Hey Mama.mp3.exe
   • progra~1BearshareSharedRaf - In tutti i miei giorni.mp3.exe
   • progra~1BearshareSharedVasco Rossi - Buoni e cattivi.mp3.exe
   • progra~1BearshareSharedLionel Richie - Just For You.mp3.exe
   • progra~1eDonkey2000IncomingRosy.exe
   • progra~1eDonkey2000IncomingPipponoto.exe
   • progra~1eDonkey2000IncomingAnastacia - Left Outside Alone.mp3.exe
   • progra~1eDonkey2000IncomingThe Rasmus - In The Shadows.mp3.exe
   • progra~1eDonkey2000Incoming50 Cent - In da Club.mp3.exe
   • progra~1eDonkey2000IncomingVanessa Carltron - Ordinary Day.mp3.exe
   • progra~1eDonkey2000IncomingHaiducii - Dragostea Din Tei.mp3.exe
   • progra~1eDonkey2000IncomingBlack Eyed Peas - Hey Mama.mp3.exe
   • progra~1eDonkey2000IncomingRaf - In tutti i miei giorni.mp3.exe
   • progra~1eDonkey2000IncomingVasco Rossi - Buoni e cattivi.mp3.exe
   • progra~1eDonkey2000IncomingLionel Richie - Just For You.mp3.exe
   • progra~1eMuleIncomingRosy.exe
   • progra~1eMuleIncomingPipponoto.exe
   • progra~1eMuleIncomingAnastacia - Left Outside Alone.mp3.exe
   • progra~1eMuleIncomingThe Rasmus - In The Shadows.mp3.exe
   • progra~1eMuleIncoming50 Cent - In da Club.mp3.exe
   • progra~1eMuleIncomingVanessa Carltron - Ordinary Day.mp3.exe
   • progra~1eMuleIncomingHaiducii - Dragostea Din Tei.mp3.exe
   • progra~1eMuleIncomingBlack Eyed Peas - Hey Mama.mp3.exe
   • progra~1eMuleIncomingRaf - In tutti i miei giorni.mp3.exe
   • progra~1eMuleIncomingVasco Rossi - Buoni e cattivi.mp3.exe
   • progra~1eMuleIncomingLionel Richie - Just For You.mp3.exe
   • progra~1MorpheusMy Shared FolderRosy.exe
   • progra~1MorpheusMy Shared FolderPipponoto.exe
   • progra~1MorpheusMy Shared FolderAnastacia - Left Outside Alone.mp3.exe
   • progra~1MorpheusMy Shared FolderThe Rasmus - In The Shadows.mp3.exe
   • progra~1MorpheusMy Shared Folder50 Cent - In da Club.mp3.exe
   • progra~1MorpheusMy Shared FolderVanessa Carltron - Ordinary Day.mp3.exe
   • progra~1MorpheusMy Shared FolderHaiducii - Dragostea Din Tei.mp3.exe
   • progra~1MorpheusMy Shared FolderBlack Eyed Peas - Hey Mama.mp3.exe
   • progra~1MorpheusMy Shared FolderRaf - In tutti i miei giorni.mp3.exe
   • progra~1MorpheusMy Shared FolderVasco Rossi - Buoni e cattivi.mp3.exe
   • progra~1MorpheusMy Shared FolderLionel Richie - Just For You.mp3.exe
   • progra~1LimeWireSharedRosy.exe
   • progra~1LimeWireSharedPipponoto.exe
   • progra~1LimeWireSharedAnastacia - Left Outside Alone.mp3.exe
   • progra~1LimeWireSharedThe Rasmus - In The Shadows.mp3.exe
   • progra~1LimeWireShared50 Cent - In da Club.mp3.exe
   • progra~1LimeWireSharedVanessa Carltron - Ordinary Day.mp3.exe
   • progra~1LimeWireSharedHaiducii - Dragostea Din Tei.mp3.exe
   • progra~1LimeWireSharedBlack Eyed Peas - Hey Mama.mp3.exe
   • progra~1LimeWireSharedRaf - In tutti i miei giorni.mp3.exe
   • progra~1LimeWireSharedVasco Rossi - Buoni e cattivi.mp3.exe
   • progra~1LimeWireSharedLionel Richie - Just For You.mp3.exe
   • progra~1TeslaFilesRosy.exe
   • progra~1TeslaFilesPipponoto.exe
   • progra~1TeslaFilesAnastacia - Left Outside Alone.mp3.exe
   • progra~1TeslaFilesThe Rasmus - In The Shadows.mp3.exe
   • progra~1TeslaFiles50 Cent - In da Club.mp3.exe
   • progra~1TeslaFilesVanessa Carltron - Ordinary Day.mp3.exe
   • progra~1TeslaFilesHaiducii - Dragostea Din Tei.mp3.exe
   • progra~1TeslaFilesBlack Eyed Peas - Hey Mama.mp3.exe
   • progra~1TeslaFilesRaf - In tutti i miei giorni.mp3.exe
   • progra~1TeslaFilesVasco Rossi - Buoni e cattivi.mp3.exe
   • progra~1TeslaFilesLionel Richie - Just For You.mp3.exe
   • progra~1WinMXSharedRosy.exe
   • progra~1WinMXSharedPipponoto.exe
   • progra~1WinMXSharedAnastacia - Left Outside Alone.mp3.exe
   • progra~1WinMXSharedThe Rasmus - In The Shadows.mp3.exe
   • progra~1WinMXShared50 Cent - In da Club.mp3.exe
   • progra~1WinMXSharedVanessa Carltron - Ordinary Day.mp3.exe
   • progra~1WinMXSharedHaiducii - Dragostea Din Tei.mp3.exe
   • progra~1WinMXSharedBlack Eyed Peas - Hey Mama.mp3.exe
   • progra~1WinMXSharedRaf - In tutti i miei giorni.mp3.exe
   • progra~1WinMXSharedVasco Rossi - Buoni e cattivi.mp3.exe
   • progra~1WinMXSharedLionel Richie - Just For You.mp3.exe
     
     
2. Creates the file, WINDOWSsystem32About.hta, which is a harmless HTML file.
   
   
3. Displays the message:
   
   Title: Microsoft Windows Update
   Text: Click Yes For Update Microsoft Outlook via E-mail
   
   
4. Creates and runs the file, WINDOWSsystem32 stdnrdll32.vbs. This VBScript file performs the following actions:
   
   1. Creates the following registry keys:
      
      "HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunonce
      wincomp32default" = "WINDOWSsystem32 stdnrdll32.vbs
      "HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
      nldr32default" = "WINDOWSsystem32NonYou.exe"
      "HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice8.0OutlookSecurityLevel1Remove", "exe"                              "HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice9.0OutlookSecurityLevel1Remove", "exe"                              "HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice10.0OutlookSecurityLevel1Remove", "exe"  
      
      
   2. Creates the archive file, WINDOWSsystem32Love-ScreenSaver.cab, which contains a copy of the worm.
      
   3. Checks the system date, and if the day of the month is the 11th or 23rd, it will change the Internet Explorer start page to www.gedzac.tk, and open the file WINDOWSsystem32About.hta in a Web browser.
      
      
   4. Sends an email to all the entries in the Microsoft Outlook Address Book.
      
      The email will have the following properties:
      
      Subject: Microsoft Outlook News
      Message: Microsoft Outlook Update / Bug Fixed - Contact: support@microsoft.com
      Attachment: MSOutlookInternetUpdate.exe
      
      
   5. Opens the Web site www.windowsupdate.com.
      
      
5. Adds the line:
   
   n2 = tdll32.dll
   
   to the [rfiles] section of the file, Program FilesmIRCmirc.ini.
   
   
6. Opens the file:
   
   Program FilesmIRC dll32.dll
   
   and writes an IRC script to send the file, Love-ScreenSaver.cab, to other MIRC users.
   
   
7. Checks the system date. If the day of the month is the 11th or 23rd, it will display two messages:
   
   Title: NonYou
   Text: Rosy Ti Amo - Saro & Rosy Forever
   
   Title: Gedzac Group 2004
   Text:
   NonYou.a Gedzac Labs Productions
   Coded by Sarosoft - Dedicated to my Love Ros
   Gedzac Group 2004 - http:/ /www.gedzac.tk   
   Gedzac
   The Virus Crew
   

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

The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.

1. Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
2. Update the virus definitions.
3. Restart the computer in Safe mode.
4. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as W32.Saros@mm.
5. Delete the value that was added to the registry.
   

For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. To disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP)
If you are running Windows Me or Windows XP, we recommend that you temporarily turn off System Restore. Windows Me/XP uses this feature, which is enabled by default, to restore the files on your computer in case they become damaged. If a virus, worm, or Trojan infects a computer, System Restore may back up the virus, worm, or Trojan on the computer.

Windows prevents outside programs, including antivirus programs, from modifying System Restore. Therefore, antivirus programs or tools cannot remove threats in the System Restore folder. As a result, System Restore has the potential of restoring an infected file on your computer, even after you have cleaned the infected files from all the other locations.

Also, a virus scan may detect a threat in the System Restore folder even though you have removed the threat.

For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows documentation, or one of the following articles:

• "How to disable or enable Windows Me System Restore"
• "How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore"

Note: When you are completely finished with the removal procedure and are satisfied that the threat has been removed, re-enable System Restore by following the instructions in the aforementioned documents.


For additional information, and an alternative to disabling Windows Me System Restore, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article, "Antivirus Tools Cannot Clean Infected Files in the _Restore Folder," Article ID: Q263455.

2. To update 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 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).
• 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).
  
  The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are available: Read "How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater" for detailed instructions.

3. To restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode
Shut down the computer and turn off the power. Wait for at least 30 seconds, and then restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode.

• For Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, or XP users, restart the computer in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document, "How to start the computer in Safe Mode."
• For Windows NT 4 users, restart the computer in VGA mode.

4. To scan for and delete 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 that 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.Saros@mm, click Delete.
   
   

5. To delete the value from the registry

WARNING: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before making 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 > Run.
2. Type regedit
   
   Then click OK.
   
   
3. Delete the keys:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion
   Runoncewincomp32
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion
   Run ldr32
   
   
4. Navigate to the following registry keys:
   
   "HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice8.0OutlookSecurity
   "HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice9.0OutlookSecurity
   "HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice10.0OutlookSecurity
   
   
5. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "Level1Remove"="exe"  
   
   
6. Exit the Registry Editor.
   
7. Restart the computer in normal mode.