WM.Angus.A

SUMMARY

The basic set of macros in this virus are:

Global Template Document File

NOpen = AutoOpen
FC = FileClose
FileSave = random name
FileSaveAs = random name
FileExit = random name
FilePrint = random name
FilePrintDefault = random name

FileTemplates
ToolsMacro = random name
PCGURU4 = random name

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: Low

TECHNICAL DETAILS

This macro virus uses random name for some of its macro in document. While infecting Global Template (through AutoOpen or FileClose), it does the following:

• create a hidden PCGURU2 directory in the default template directory
• copy the original global template file (NORMAL.DOT) into PCGURU2 directory
• create a file PCGURU4.BAT in template directory

It also replaces File|Templates and Tools|Macro with a message box:

"Windows Protection Error"

The following is a list of some triggers for this macro virus:

· While accessing File|Print or File|PrintDefault menu on Oct 23, it adds NAENBGOURSG to the end of document in fontsize 15 to 24; followed by "Hello from GREECE"
· While accessing File|SaveAs menu on Oct 23, 12:30 will set random password on the document. The password is saved in ProfileString just before the string "NAENGOURSG"
· Whle accessing File|Exit menu on Oct 24, it executes PCGURU4.BAT if some condition is true.

This macro virus works under both Word95 and Word97.

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

Although the hidden directory PCGURU2 and the file PCGURU4.BAT will not do any damage, removing them from TEMPLATE directory is recommended