When the worm is executed, it creates the following file:
%System%\drivers\MSKSVRTSS.EXE
The worm then creates the following registry entries, so that it starts when Windows starts:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices\"Windows Portable Devices"="%System%\drivers\MSKSVRTSS.EXE"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\"Windows Portable Devices"="%System%\drivers\MSKSVRTSS.EXE"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices\"Windows Portable Devices"="%System%\drivers\MSKSVRTSS.EXE"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\"Windows Portable Devices"="%System%\drivers\MSKSVRTSS.EXE"
It also creates the following entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\"Windows Portable Devices"="%System%\drivers\MSKSVRTSS.EXE"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OLE\"Windows Portable Devices"="%System%\drivers\MSKSVRTSS.EXE"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\"Windows Portable Devices"="%System%\drivers\MSKSVRTSS.EXE"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Ole\"Windows Portable Devices"="%System%\drivers\MSKSVRTSS.EXE"
The worm may modify the following files in order to disable Windows File Protection:
- %System%\sfc.dll
- %System%\sfc_os.dll
It may also modify the following files in order to disable the half-open connections limit introduced with Windows XP SP2:
- %System%\dllcache\tcpip.sys
- %System%\drivers\tcpip.sys
The worm may download and execute a file from an FTP server on the i-stuff.dynu.com domain using TCP port 1981.
Next, the worm opens a back door and connects to the IRC server t.dawnsoul.info on TCP port 7654, allowing the remote attacker to perform the following actions on the compromised computer:
- Copy or delete files
- Download files
- Show status
- Show IP address
- Portscan the network for vulnerable computers
- Scan vulnerabilities
- Start ftpd
- Start Internet Explorer
- End processes
- Stop other worms
- Stop security-related services
- List processes
- Use a network sniffer
The worm then attempts to spread by exploiting the following vulnerabilities:
Microsoft ASN.1 Library Multiple Stack-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities (BID 9743)
Microsoft Windows DCOM RPC Interface Buffer Overrun Vulnerability (BID 8205)
Symantec Client Security and Symantec AntiVirus Elevation of Privilege (BID 18107)
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.
The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.
- Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
- Update the virus definitions.
- Run a full system scan.
- 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:
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.
- 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 run a full system scan - Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
- Run a full system scan.
- If any files are detected, follow the instructions displayed by your antivirus program.
Important: If you are unable to start your Symantec antivirus product or the product reports that it cannot 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 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 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.
- Click Start > Run.
- Type regedit
- 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.
- Navigate to and delete the following entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices\"Windows Portable Devices"="%System%\drivers\MSKSVRTSS.EXE"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\"Windows Portable Devices"="%System%\drivers\MSKSVRTSS.EXE"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices\"Windows Portable Devices"="%System%\drivers\MSKSVRTSS.EXE"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\"Windows Portable Devices"="%System%\drivers\MSKSVRTSS.EXE"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\"Windows Portable Devices"="%System%\drivers\MSKSVRTSS.EXE"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OLE\"Windows Portable Devices"="%System%\drivers\MSKSVRTSS.EXE"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\"Windows Portable Devices"="%System%\drivers\MSKSVRTSS.EXE"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Ole\"Windows Portable Devices"="%System%\drivers\MSKSVRTSS.EXE"
- Exit the Registry Editor.
