W97M.Astia.BR

SUMMARY

This is a Microsoft Word macro virus that infects document (.doc) and template (.dot) files.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) August 28, 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: Normal.dot

Distribution

• Distribution Level: Low
• Target of Infection: MS-Word documents and templates

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When executed, this macro virus infects active documents and the Normal.dot template file. It also modifies the following Microsoft Word options:

It changes:

User Name to "J1nt0"
User Initials to "J1n"
User Address to "STM133PDG"

It disables the following settings:

Virus Protection
Save Normal Prompt
Confirm Conversions

Finally, in the registry key

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARE
MicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion

it changes the value data of

RegisteredOwner to PandA

and the value data of

RegisteredOrganization to J1nt0 Here Now !, Sorry

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. Be sure that NAV is configured to scan all files.
3. If any files are detected as infected by W97M.Astia.BR , click Repair.
4. (Optional). Reset your Microsoft Word settings and change the values in the registry. See the sections that follow for details.

To reset Microsoft Word settings:

NOTE: These instructions are for Microsoft Word 2000. Other versions may differ.

1. Start Microsoft Word.
2. Click Tools and then click Options.
3. Click the User Information tab.
4. Change the text as desired, and then click OK.
5. Click Tools, point to Macro, and then click Security.
6. On the Security Level tab, click Medium or High, and then click OK.

To edit the registry:

CAUTION: We strongly recommend that you back up the system registry before you make any changes. Incorrect changes to the registry could result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Please make sure that you modify only the keys specified. Please see the document How to back up the Windows registry before you proceed.

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_MACHINESOFTWARE
   MicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion
   
   
4. In the right pane, double-click
   
   RegisteredOwner
   
5. Enter the name that you want listed as the registered owner of the installed copy of Windows. If none is wanted, just delete the text that was added by the virus.
6. Click OK.
7. In the right pane, double-click
   
   RegisteredOrganization
   
8. Enter the name that you want listed as the registered organization for the installed copy of Windows. If none is wanted, just delete the text that was added by the virus.
9. Exit the Registry Editor.