W32.Supova.Worm

SUMMARY

W32.Supova.Worm comes disguised as a popular software file. It spreads across KaZaA file-sharing networks by tricking KaZaA users into downloading and running the program.

Behavior

Symptoms

Transmission

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) July 17, 2002
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) July 11, 2002

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

Distribution

• Distribution Level: Medium

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When this worm runs, it does the following:

It copies itself to the C:WindowsMedia folder as the following files:

• Britney spears nude.exe
• Quake 4 BETA.exe
• Windows XP key generator.exe
• Windows XP serial generator.exe
• Xbox.info.exe
• DivX.exe
• GTA3 crack.exe
• Battle.net key generator (WORKS!!).exe
• Warcraft 3 battle.net serial generator.exe
• Half-life WON key generator.exe
• Star wars episode 2 downloader.exe
• Winzip 8.0 + serial.exe
• Winrar + crack.exe
• Key generator for all windows XP versions.exe
• Warcraft 3 ONLINE key generator.exe
• Half-life ONLINE key generator.exe
• Grand theft auto 3 CD1 crack.exe
• Macromedia key generator (all products).exe
• KaZaA media desktop v2.0 UNOFFICIAL.exe
• Microsoft key generator, works for ALL microsoft products!!.exe
• Microsoft Windows XP crack pack.exe
• Hack into any computer!!.exe
• DivX codec v6.0.exe
• DivX newest version.exe
• DivX pro key generator.exe
• Key generator for over 1,000 applications (really!).exe
• DivX patch - Increases quality.exe
• KaZaA spyware remover.exe
• Age of empires 2 crack.exe
• Norton antivirus 2002.exe
• Macromedia dreamweaver MX (crack).exe
• Microsoft Office XP (english) key generator.exe
• Microsoft Office XP.iso.exe
• CloneCD + crack.exe
• CloneCD all-versions key generator.exe
• XBOX emulator (WORKS!!).exe
• Gamecube Emulator (WORKS!!).exe

The worm changes the KaZaA download folder settings so that the media folder is accessible to other KazaA network users. This allows other KaZaA users to download files from that location.

NOTE: For W32.Supova.Worm to spread, the KaZaA program must be installed on the computer.

The worm also copies itself into the Windows folder using different names that it chooses randomly from the following list:

• Alles-ist-vorbei.exe
• Desktop-shooting.exe
• Hello-Kitty.exe
• BigMac.exe
• Hellokitty.exe
• Cheese-Burger.exe
• .exe

Here are some text messages that the worm might send:

• Hehe, check this out :-)
• Funny, check it out (h)
• LOL!! See this :D
• LOL!! Check this out :)

The worm then displays this fake error message:

Application attempted to read memory at 0xFFFFFFFFh
Terminating application

The worm appears to be designed to add the value

Supernova  C:Windows<random name from the list>.exe

to the registry key

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun

However, Symantec Security Response has been unable to reproduce this action under laboratory conditions.


NOTE: This worm sometimes crashes when it runs.

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

NOTE: 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, and then restart the computer in Safe mode. Run a full system scan, and delete all files that are detected as W32.Supova.Worm.
2. If it exists, delete the value
   
   Supernova
   
   from the registry key
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
   

For details on how to do this, read the following instructions.

To scan for and delete the infected files:

1. Obtain the most recent virus definitions. There are two ways to do this:
   • Run LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions. These virus definitions have undergone full quality assurance testing by Symantec Security Response and are posted to the LiveUpdate servers one time each week (usually Wednesdays) unless there is a major virus outbreak. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by LiveUpdate, look at the Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate) line at the top of this write-up.
   • Download the definitions using the Intelligent Updater. Intelligent Updater virus definitions have undergone full quality assurance testing by Symantec Security Response. They are posted on U.S. business days (Monday through Friday). They must be downloaded from the Symantec Security Response Web site and installed manually. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, look at the Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) line at the top of this write-up.
     
     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.
2. Restart 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.
3. Start your Symantec antivirus software and make sure that it is configured to scan all files.
   • Norton AntiVirus Consumer products: Read the document How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files.
   • Symantec Enterprise antivirus products: Read the document How to verify a Symantec Corporate antivirus product is set to scan All Files.
4. Run a full system scan. If any files are detected as infected by W32.Supova.Worm, click Delete.

To remove the value 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 only the keys that are specified. Read the document How to make a backup of the Windows registry for instructions.

1. Click Start, and click Run. The Run dialog box appears.
2. Type regedit and then click OK. The Registry Editor opens.
3. Navigate to the following key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun>
   
4. In the right pane, delete the following value:
   
   Supernova
   
5. Click Registry, and click Exit.