Modified by: Sammy Chua

ALIASES:

W32.Blaster.E.Worm (Symantec); Net-Worm.Win32.Lovesan.a (Kaspersky); Worm:Win32/Msblast.E (Microsoft);

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Worm

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This worm arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

It attempts to access certain websites. However, the websites are inaccessible as of this writing.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 6,176 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 25 Jun 2015

Arrival Details

This worm arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

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\Run
Windows Automation = "mslaugh.exe"

Other Details

This worm attempts to access certain websites. However, the websites are inaccessible as of this writing.

It connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • {random generated IP address}
  • {BLOCKED}e.org

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.750

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.

Step 2

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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\Run
    • Windows Automation = "mslaugh.exe"

Step 4

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as WORM_MSBLAST.AB. If the detected files have already been cleaned, deleted, or quarantined by your Trend Micro product, no further step is required. You may opt to simply delete the quarantined files. Please check this Knowledge Base page for more information.

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as WORM_MSBLAST.AB. If the detected files have already been cleaned, deleted, or quarantined by your Trend Micro product, no further step is required. You may opt to simply delete the quarantined files. Please check this Knowledge Base page for more information.


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