X97M.Gene.A

SUMMARY

X97M.Gene.A is a macro virus that infects Microsoft Excel worksheets. The virus copies itself to the Excel startup folder as Angelo.xls and drops the file C:1 (no file extension). The virus also attempts to email itself as an attachment using Microsoft Outlook.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) January 22, 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
• Large Scale E-mailing: Sends itself to all recipients in Microsoft Outlook addressbook

Distribution

• Distribution Level: Low

TECHNICAL DETAILS

This virus infects Microsoft Excel worksheets. The following is the routine that it uses to spread on the computer:

1. It copies itself as Angelo.xls in the XLStart folder.
2. It exports its viral macro module as C:1 (no file extension), which is used to import the macro module into other worksheets.

This virus also attempts to spread using Microsoft Outlook. The worm portion of the virus sends itself all recipients in the Microsoft Outlook address book.

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

To remove this virus:

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 set to scan all files.
3. If any files are detected as infected by X97M.Gene.A or X97M.Manalo.L, click Repair.
4. After repairing any infected files, follow the steps in the applicable section to find and delete the file C:1.

Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000
Because some files may be in different locations, it is easier to search for these.
1. Click Start, point to Find or Search, and click Files or Folders.
2. Make sure that "Look in" is set to (C:) and that Include subfolders is checked.
3. In the "Named" or "Search for..." box, type the following:
   
   1
   
4. Click Find Now or Search Now.
5. Select the C:1 file that is displayed, press Delete, and click Yes if you are asked to confirm.

Windows XP
1. Click Start.
2. Click Search.
3. Click "All files and folders."
4. In the "All or part of the file name box" type the following:
   
   1
   
5. Click Search.
6. Select the 1 file that is displayed, press Delete, and click Yes if you are asked to confirm.