W32.Spex.B.Worm

SUMMARY

W32.Spex.B.Worm is a worm that spreads through the KaZaA and iMesh file-sharing networks. It can also terminate security programs and system administration tools, steal CD keys of computer games, and perform denial of service attacks.

The worm is packed with ExeStealth and ASPack.

Behavior

Symptoms

Transmission

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) November 26, 2003
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) November 26, 2003

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
• Releases Confidential Info: Steals CD keys for computer games.
• Compromises Security Settings: Terminates security software programs.

Distribution

• Distribution Level: Low

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When W32.Spex.B.Worm is executed, it performs the following actions:

1. Attempts to terminate processes with the following names:
   
   • regedit.exe
   • msconfig.exe
   • netstat.exe
   • zonealarm.exe
   • zapro.exe
   • avp.exe
   • avpm.exe
   • avpcc.exe
   • avp32.exe
   • blackice.exe
   • blackd.exe
   • _avp.exe
   • _avpm.exe
   • _avpcc.exe
   • _avp32.exe
   • frw.exe
   • pcfwallicon.exe
   • cfinet.exe
   • cfinet32.exe
   • cfiaudit.exe
   • cfiadmin.exe
   • iamapp.exe
   • iamserv.exe
   • smc.exe
   • persfw.exe
   • lookout.exe
   • espwatch.exe
   • mpftray.exe
   • serv95.exe
   • nisum.exe
   • nmain.exe
   • serv95.exe
     
     
2. Copies itself as %System%iexplore32.exe.
   
   

   ---

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

   ---

   
   
3. Adds the value:
   
   "IELoader32"="%System%iexplore32.exe"
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   so that the worm runs when you start Windows.
   
   
4. Displays a message box with the following caption:
   
   "Window Explorer Error"
   
   and the following text:
   
   "Execution error ( incompatible kernel )."
   
   
5. Makes 389 copies of itself in %System%Drivers32 folder.
   
   

   ---

   Note: For a complete list of the added files, refer to the Additional Information section.

   ---

   
   
6. Modifies the value:
   
   "Dir0"="012345:C:WINNTSystem32drivers32"
   
   in the registry keys:
   
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareKAZAALocalContent
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareiMeshClientLocalContent
     
     which shares the Drivers32 folder through the KaZaA and iMesh file-sharing networks.
     
     
7. Attempts to steal CD keys from the following computer games:
   
   • Soldier of Fortune II - Double Helix
   • Neverwinter Nights
   • Rainbow Six III RavenShield
   • Battlefield 1942 - The Road to Rome
   • Project IGI 2
   • Counter-Strike
   • Unreal Tournament 2003
   • Half-Life
     
     
8. Connects to a predetermined IRC channel and informs an attacker that the computer has been infected. The attacker can then perform commands on the infected computer.

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. Restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode.
3. Delete the value that was added to the registry, and then restart the computer.
4. Update the virus definitions.
5. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as W32.Spex.B.Worm.
   

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

1. Disabling 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"

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. Restarting 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 on restarting in Safe mode, refer to the document, "How to start the computer in Safe Mode."
• For Windows NT 4 users, restart the computer in VGA mode.

3. Deleting the value from the registry

CAUTION: 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, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
2. Type regedit
   
   Then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)
   
   
3. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   
   
4. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "IELoader32"="%System%iexplore32.exe"
   
   
5. Exit the Registry Editor.
   
6. Restart the computer in Normal mode.
   

4. 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 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.

5. 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 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.Spex.B.Worm, click Delete.