W97M.Rodun

SUMMARY

W97M.Rodun is a destructive macro virus that deletes files in certain folders and infects the Normal.dot file.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) September 28, 2005
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) September 28, 2005

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
• Payload: Lowers security settings.
• Deletes Files: Attempts to delete files based on predetermined system dates.
• Compromises Security Settings: Lowers Word and Windows security features.

Distribution

• Distribution Level: Low
• Target of Infection: Microsoft Word

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When an infected document is opened, W97M.Rodun is triggered, and performs the following actions:

1. Disables MS Word virus protection.
   
   
2. Displays a message with the following characteristics:
   
   Title: Attention!
   Message: Computer with problems!
   
   
3. Adds the value:
   
   "Level" = "1"
   
   to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice9.0WordSecurity
   
   so that it disables some MS Word and Windows security features.
   
   
4. Adds the value:
   
   "DisableSR" = "1"
   
   to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionsystemrestore
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionSystemRestore
   
   so that it disables some MS Word and Windows security features.
   
   
5. Adds the value:
   
   "EnableFirewall" = "0"
   
   to the registry subkeys:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsFirewallDomainProfile
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsFirewallStandardProfile
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsFirewallStandardProfile
   
   so that it disables some MS Word and Windows security features.
   
   
6. Adds the value:
   
   "Rodune" = " Virus_saved"
   
   to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftActive
   
   
7. Adds the values:
   
   "DisableTaskMgr" = "1"
   "DisableRegistryTools" = "1"
   
   to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesSystem
   
   
8. Adds the values:
   
   "NoRun" = "1"
   "DisallowRun" = "1"
   "NoFind" = "1"
   "NoCloseKey" = "1"
   
   to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer
   
   
9. Adds the values:
   
   "ActiveBorder" = "212 208 200"
   "ActiveBorder" = "162 200 169"
   "ActiveTitle" = "0 84 227"
   "ActiveTitle" = "89 151 100"
   "AppWorkSpace" = "128 128 128"
   "AppWorkSpace" = "150 192 157"
   "Background" = "0 78 152"
   "Background" = "0 255 0"
   "ButtonAlternateFace" = "181 181 181"
   "ButtonAlternateFace" = "0 255 0"
   "ButtonDkShadow" = "113 111 100"
   "ButtonDkShadow" = "0 0 0"
   "ButtonFace" = "236 233 216"
   "ButtonFace" = "0 255 0"
   "ButtonHilight" = "255 255 255"
   "ButtonHilight" = "208 227 211"
   "ButtonLight" = "241 239 226"
   "ButtonLight" = "0 255 0"
   "ButtonShadow" = "172 168 153"
   "ButtonShadow" = "89 151 100"
   "GrayText" = "172 168 153"
   "GrayText" = "89 151 100"
   "Hilight" = "49 106 197"
   "Hilight" = "89 151 100"
   "HilightText" = "255 255 255"
   "HilightText" = "0 0 0"
   "InactiveBorder" = "212 208 200"
   "InactiveBorder" = "162 200 169"
   "InactiveTitle" = "122 150 223"
   "InactiveTitle" = "128 128 0"
   "InactiveTitleText" = "216 228 248"
   "InactiveTitleText" = "0 0 0"
   "InfoText" = "0 0 0"
   "InfoText" = "0 255 0"
   "InfoWindow" = "255 255 225"
   "InfoWindow" = "0 0 0"
   "Menu" = "255 255 255"
   "Menu" = "0 255 0"
   "Scrollbar" = "212 208 200"
   "Scrollbar" = "0 255 0"
   "Window" = "255 255 255"
   "Window" = "0 255 0"
   
   to the registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_USERS.DEFAULTControl PanelColors
   
   in an attempt to change desktop colors.
   
   
10. Adds Read.doc to the Documents Menu in the Start Button of the Windows Taskbar, which points to C:WindowsDesktopRead.doc. It does not, however, create the file C:WindowsDesktopRead.doc.
    
    
11. Attempts to delete the following files, if the current system date is the 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, or 25th of the month:
    
    
    • C:WINDOWS*.xls
    • C:WINDOWS*.pdf
    • C:WINDOWS*.rar
    • C:WINDOWS*.com
    • C:WINDOWS*.ini
    • C:WINDOWS*.txt
    • C:WINDOWS*.rtf
    • C:WINDOWS*.gif
    • C:WINDOWS*.pdf
    • C:WINDOWS*.mp3
    • C:WINDOWS*.avi
    • C:WINDOWS*.mpg
    • C:WINDOWS*.bmp
    • C:*.xls
    • C:*.pdf
    • C:*.rar
    • C:*.com
    • C:*.ini
    • C:*.txt
    • C:*.rtf
    • C:*.gif
    • C:*.xls
    • C:*.mp3
    • C:*.avi
    • C:*.mpg
    • C:*.bmp
      
      
12. Creates the following folders:
    
    
    • C:windowsBook
    • C:windowsGirl
    • C:windowsCar
    • C:windowsMovie
    • C:windowsMusic
    • C:windowsStudy
    • C:windowsGame
    • C:windowsWoman
    • C:windowsText
      
      
13. Saves a copy of the active document as:
    
    
    • C:WindowsBookBooks.doc
    • C:WindowsGirlGirls.doc
    • C:WindowsCarCars.doc
    • C:WindowsMovieMovies.doc
    • C:WindowsMusicMusics.doc
    • C:WindowsStudyStudies.doc
    • C:WindowsGameGames.doc
    • C:WindowsWomanWomen.doc
    • C:WindowsTextTexts.doc
      
      
14. Infects the Normal.dot file by creating a module named Rodune, and copying its code to that module.
    
    
15. Hooks the ToolsMacro automacro to hide itself from the user.

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. Scan for and repair the infected files.
4. Enable registry editing. Use UnHookExe.inf tool.
5. Delete any values 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, reenable 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 Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate).
• Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted daily. 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 Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater).
  
  The latest Intelligent Updater virus definitions can be obtained here: Intelligent Updater virus definitions. For detailed instructions read the document: How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater.

3. To scan for and repair the infected files

1. Start your Symantec antivirus software 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, click Repair (if available). If there is no Repair option, click Delete.
   
   Important: If you are unable to start your Symantec antivirus product or the product reports that it cannot repair or delete a detected file, you may need to stop the risk from running in order to remove it. To do this, run the scan in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document, How to start the computer in Safe Mode. Once you have restarted in Safe mode, run the scan again.
   
   After the files are repaired or deleted, restart the computer in Normal mode and proceed with the next section.
   
   Warning messages may be displayed when the computer is restarted, since the threat may not be fully removed at this point. You can ignore these messages and click OK. These messages will not appear when the computer is restarted after the removal instructions have been fully completed. The messages displayed may be similar to the following:
   
   Title: [FILE PATH]
   Message body: Windows cannot find [FILE NAME]. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search.

4. To Enable registry editing. Use UnHookExe.inf tool

Symantec Security Response has created a tool to reset these registry values to their default settings. WARNING: Do not use this tool unless: A Symantec technician or document directs you to do so. After reading the removal instructions in the writeup, you are sure that the tool is required. Follow these steps: Download the file UnHookExec.inf and save it to your Windows desktop. (If you cannot connect to the Internet from the infected computer, download to an uninfected computer then save it to a floppy disk. Then take the floppy disk and insert it in the floppy disk drive of the infected computer.) Note: The tool has a .inf file extension. Locate the download file, either on the Windows desktop or the floppy disk. Right-click the UnHookExec.inf file and click install. (This is a small file. It does not display any notice or boxes when you run it.) Follow any other instructions for the threat that you are trying to remove.

5. To delete the value from the registry
Important: 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 subkeys only. For instructions refer to the document: How to make a backup of the Windows registry.

1. Click Start > Run.
2. Type regedit
3. Click OK.
   
   Note: If the registry editor fails to open the threat may have modified the registry to prevent access to the registry editor. Security Response has developed a tool to resolve this problem. Download and run this tool, and then continue with the removal.
   
   
4. Navigate to the subkey:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice9.0WordSecurity
   
   
5. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "Level" = "1"
   
   
6. Navigate to the subkeys:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionsystemrestore
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionSystemRestore
   
   
7. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "DisableSR" = "1"
   
   
8. Navigate to the subkeys:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsFirewallDomainProfile
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsFirewallStandardProfile
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsFirewallStandardProfile
   
   
9. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "EnableFirewall" = "0"
   
   
10. Navigate to the subkey:
    
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftActive
    
    
11. In the right pane, delete the value:
    
    "Rodune" = " Virus_saved"
    
    
12. Navigate to the subkey:
    
    HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesSystem
    
    
13. In the right pane, delete the values:
    
    "DisableTaskMgr" = "1"
    "DisableRegistryTools" = "1"
    
    
14. Navigate to the subkey:
    
    HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer
    
    
15. In the right pane, delete the values:
    
    "NoRun" = "1"
    "DisallowRun" = "1"
    "NoFind" = "1"
    "NoCloseKey" = "1"
    
    
16. Navigate to the subkey:
    
    HKEY_USERS.DEFAULTControl PanelColors
    
    
17. In the right pane, delete the values:
    
    "ActiveBorder" = "212 208 200"
    "ActiveBorder" = "162 200 169"
    "ActiveTitle" = "0 84 227"
    "ActiveTitle" = "89 151 100"
    "AppWorkSpace" = "128 128 128"
    "AppWorkSpace" = "150 192 157"
    "Background" = "0 78 152"
    "Background" = "0 255 0"
    "ButtonAlternateFace" = "181 181 181"
    "ButtonAlternateFace" = "0 255 0"
    "ButtonDkShadow" = "113 111 100"
    "ButtonDkShadow" = "0 0 0"
    "ButtonFace" = "236 233 216"
    "ButtonFace" = "0 255 0"
    "ButtonHilight" = "255 255 255"
    "ButtonHilight" = "208 227 211"
    "ButtonLight" = "241 239 226"
    "ButtonLight" = "0 255 0"
    "ButtonShadow" = "172 168 153"
    "ButtonShadow" = "89 151 100"
    "GrayText" = "172 168 153"
    "GrayText" = "89 151 100"
    "Hilight" = "49 106 197"
    "Hilight" = "89 151 100"
    "HilightText" = "255 255 255"
    "HilightText" = "0 0 0"
    "InactiveBorder" = "212 208 200"
    "InactiveBorder" = "162 200 169"
    "InactiveTitle" = "122 150 223"
    "InactiveTitle" = "128 128 0"
    "InactiveTitleText" = "216 228 248"
    "InactiveTitleText" = "0 0 0"
    "InfoText" = "0 0 0"
    "InfoText" = "0 255 0"
    "InfoWindow" = "255 255 225"
    "InfoWindow" = "0 0 0"
    "Menu" = "255 255 255"
    "Menu" = "0 255 0"
    "Scrollbar" = "212 208 200"
    "Scrollbar" = "0 255 0"
    "Window" = "255 255 255"
    "Window" = "0 255 0"
    
    
18. Exit the Registry Editor.