WORM_KOLAB.GC

October 28, 2010
 PLATFORM:

Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Server 2003

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:

  • Threat Type: Worm

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Worm creates folders where it drops its files.



It adds registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup.



It exploits software vulnerabilities to propagate to other computers across a network. It drops an AUTORUN.INF file to automatically execute the copies it drops when a user accesses the drives of an affected system.



It executes commands from a remote malicious user, effectively compromising the affected system.



It connects to certain URLs. It may do this to remotely inform a malicious user of its installation. It may also do this to download possibly malicious files onto the computer, which puts the computer at a greater risk of infection by other threats.



  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

82944 bytes

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

17 Dec 2009


Installation



It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %System%\drivers\winhost.exe

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\System32 on Windows NT and 2000, or C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP and Server 2003.)


It drops the following files:

  • %Windows%\logfile32.txt

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, which is usually C:\Windows or C:\WINNT.)



Autostart Technique


This Worm adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer\run
Microsoft Driver Setup = "%System%\drivers\winhost.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Microsoft Driver Setup = "%System%\drivers\winhost.exe"



Propagation


This Worm exploits the following software vulnerabilities to propagate to other computers across a network:

  • (MS08-067) Vulnerability in Server Service Could Allow Remote Code Execution (958644)


It drops an AUTORUN.INF file to automatically execute the copies it drops when a user accesses the drives of an affected system.



Backdoor Routine


This Worm executes the following commands from a remote malicious user:

  • Download an updated copy of itself
  • Download and execute files
  • FlushDNS
  • List, start, and terminate processes
  • Port scan
  • Propagate via MSN Messenger
  • Turn off Windows Firewall



Download Routine


This Worm connects to the following malicious URLs:

  • www.{BLOCKED}A.COM
  • www.{BLOCKED}CEBOOK.NET



Drop Points


This Worm

  • http://{BLOCKED}n.ath.cx/anon.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}oorld.ovh.org/azenv.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}orld.ifrance.com/azenv.php
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}ecurity.com/azenv.php
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}heaven.com/azenv.php
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}ion.com/images/azenv.php
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}sy.com/azenv.php
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}t/deny2/azenv.php
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}u.org/azenv.php

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

8.900

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

6.803.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

25 Jan 2010


Step 1


For Windows ME and XP users, before doing any scans, please make sure you disable System Restore to allow full scanning of your computer.


Step 2


Identify and terminate files detected as WORM_KOLAB.GC

[ Learn More ]
  1. For Windows 98 and ME users, Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
  2. If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.


Step 3


Delete this registry value

[ Learn More ]

Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this step only if you know how or you can ask assistance from your system administrator. Else, check this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer"s registry.

  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\run
    • Microsoft Driver Setup = %System%\drivers\winhost.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • Microsoft Driver Setup = %System%\drivers\winhost.exe


Step 4


Search and delete this file

[ Learn More ]

There may be some component files that are hidden. Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden files and folders in the search result. %Windows%\logfile32.txt


Step 5


Download and apply this security patch Refrain from using these products until the appropriate patches have been installed. Trend Micro advises users to download critical patches upon release by vendors.


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