chrigu99
W32.Blaster.Worm
Virenwarnung des PSS Security Response Team
Zurück zur Übersicht
Neuer Wurm: W32.Blaster.Worm
Einstufung des Schweregrades: Kritisch
Datum: 12. August 2003
Betroffene Produkte
Microsoft Windows NT 4.0
Microsoft Windows 2000
Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows Server 2003
Hintergrund dieser Virenwarnung
Das Microsoft Product Support Services Security Team warnt vor dem neuen Wurm W32.Blaster.Worm, der sich derzeit im Internet verbreitet. Der Wurm kann auch unter folgenden Namen auftreten: MBlaster, W32/Lovsan.worm, MSBlast, W32.blaster.worm, Win32.posa.worm oder Win32.poza.worm. W32.Blaster.Worm versucht, eine im Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-026 behobene Sicherheitsanfälligkeit in Windows auszunutzen. Das Ziel des Wurms ist es, einen Denial-of-Service-Angriff gegen die Microsoft Windows Update-Seite durchzuführen.
Vorbeugung
Wenn Sie eine der betroffenen Windows-Versionen verwenden, sollten Sie folgende Schritte zum Schutz Ihres Systems unternehmen:
Stellen Sie sicher, dass Sie eine Firewall verwenden.
Wenn Sie Windows XP oder Windows Server 2003 benutzen, aktivieren Sie die Internetverbindungsfirewall (Internet Connection Firewall, ICF).
Wenn Sie Windows 2000 oder Windows NT benutzen, besuchen Sie die Webseite mit dem Windows-Produktkatalog. Dort finden Sie eine Liste mit Firewall-Softwareprodukten.
Besuchen Sie die Windows Update-Webseite und installieren Sie dort die aktuellen kritischen Updates für Ihre Windows-Version. Stellen Sie sicher, dass Sie die Updates aus dem Security Bulletin MS03-026 installieren.
Stellen Sie sicher, dass eine Antiviren-Software auf Ihrem System installiert und aktiviert ist.
Wenn Sie eine Antiviren-Software installiert haben, stellen Sie sicher, dass die verwendeten Virendefinitionen auf dem aktuellen Stand sind.
Sollten Sie keine Antiviren-Software besitzen, besuchen Sie die Webseite mit dem Windows-Produktkatalog. Dort finden Sie eine Liste von Antivirus-Softwareprodukten.
Wiederherstellung
Wenn Ihr Computer mit dem Wurm infiziert wurde und Sie Windows XP installiert haben, sollten Sie folgende Schritte durchführen:
Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) in Windows XP aktivieren. Instruktionen dazu gibt es unter http://support.microsoft.com/?id=283673
Um die Internet Connection Firewall für eine Verbindung manuell zu konfigurieren, ist folgendes nötig (Rechner muß offline sein!):
In der Systemsteuerung auf Netzwerkverbindungen doppelklicken.
Rechts-Klick auf die betroffene Verbindung, für die ICF aktiviert werden soll. Dann auf Eigenschaften klicken.
Unter dem Karteireiter Erweitert die Option Internetverbindungsfirewall aktivieren.
Den Patch MS03-026 auf das XP System installieren. Der Patch wird eingespielt, wenn man auf folgender Seite auf Download und dann auf Öffnen klickt.: http://microsoft.com/downloads/details.a...32-3DE40F69C074
Bitte auch die Sicherheitshinweise beachten, die dabei helfen, das System auch künftig sicher und virenfrei zu halten: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treevie...y/virus/alerts/
Nachdem diese Schritte durchgeführt wurden, hört das System auf, andauernd neu zu booten. Durch das Einspielen des Patches wird die Sicherheitslücke geschlossen und kann nicht mehr von Schadprogrammen ausgenützt werden. Wichtig ist, weiterhin die Viren-Signaturdateien des entsprechenden Anti Virus Programmherstellers aktuell zu halten.
Wenn Ihr Computer mit dem Wurm infiziert wurde, auf Ihrem Rechner aber nicht Windows XP installiert ist, kontaktieren Sie die Microsoft Product Support Services oder Ihren bevorzugten Hersteller von Antivirenprogrammen für Unterstützung bei der Entfernung.
Zusätzliche Informationen
Weitere Informationen zum Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-026 erhalten Sie hier.
Weitere Informationen zum Schutz Ihres Computers vor Viren erhalten Sie hier (englischsprachig).
Fehlermeldung zum Dienst Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
Bei von W32.Blaster.Worm befallenen Systemen kommt es unter Umständen vor, dass, sobald eine Verbindnung zum Internet hergestellt wird, eine Fehlermeldung zum Dienst RPC erscheint (Der Dienst Remoteprozeduraufruf wurde unerwartet beendet). Anschließend wird ein Neustart durchgeführt. Um dies zu verhindern und die betroffenen Systeme zu aktualisieren, müssen Sie in diesem Fall den im Hintergrund laufenden Dienst MSBLAST.EXE deaktivieren. Gehen Sie hierzu wie folgt vor:
Öffnen Sie den Task Manager. (Drücken Sie die Tasten Strg+Alt+Entf und wählen Sie Taskmanager.)
Klicken Sie die Registrierkarte Prozesse.
Suchen Sie nach dem Eintrag MSBLAST.EXE und wählen Sie diesen aus.
Klicken Sie auf Prozess beenden.
Um zu überprüfen, ob der Prozess beendet wurde, wiederholen Sie die Schritte 1 bis 3.
Nach dieser Prozedur sollte es möglich sein, eine Verbindung zum Internet herzustellen, um Ihre Antivirensoftware zu aktualisieren und etwaige weitere Schritte zur Entfernung dieses Wurms einzuleiten.
Hinweis: Der Wurm fügt der Registrierung einen Eintrag hinzu, durch den der Prozess MSBLAST.EXE bei jedem Neustart des Systems ebenfalls gestartet wird. Erfahrene Benutzer können dies verhindern, indem in der Registrierung folgende Änderungen vorgenommen werden:
Starten Sie den Registrierungs-Editor: Klicken Sie auf Start -> Ausführen und geben Sie den Text Regedit ein. Klicken Sie auf OK.
Klicken Sie auf der linken Seite des erscheinenden Fensters auf HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> Software -> Microsoft -> Windows -> CurrentVersion -> Run
Suchen Sie im rechten Teil des Fensters den Eintrag "windows auto update" = MSBLAST.EXE", klicken Sie mit der rechten Maustaste auf diesen Eintrag und wählen Sie Löschen.
Schliessen Sie den Registrierungs-Editor.
Sollte es Ihnen nicht möglich gewesen sein, den Prozess MSBLAST.EXE wie oben beschrieben zu beenden, starten Sie Ihr System nun neu.
Und die Meldung von Symantec:
W32.Blaster.Worm
Discovered on: August 11, 2003
Last Updated on: August 12, 2003 06:46:58 PM
Based on the number of submissions received from customers and based on information from the Symantec's DeepSight Threat Management System, Symantec Security Response has upgraded this threat to a Category 4 from a Category 3 threat.
W32.Blaster.Worm is a worm that exploits the DCOM RPC vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-026) using TCP port 135. This worm attempts to download the msblast.exe file to the %WinDir%\system32 directory and execute it.
Block access to TCP port 4444 at the firewall level, and then block the following ports, if they do not use the applications listed:
TCP Port 135, "DCOM RPC"
UDP Port 69, "TFTP"
The worm also attempts to perform a Denial of Service (DoS) on Windows Update. This is an attempt to prevent you from applying a patch on your computer against the DCOM RPC vulnerability.
Click here for more information on the vulnerability that this worm exploits, and to find out which Symantec products can help mitigate risks from this vulnerability.
NOTE: This threat will be detected by virus definitions having:
Defs Version: 50811s
Sequence Number: 24254
Extended Version: 8/11/2003, rev. 19
Symantec Security Response has developed a removal tool to clean infections of W32.Blaster.Worm.
Also Known As: W32/Lovsan.worm [McAfee], Win32.Poza [CA], Lovsan [F-Secure], WORM_MSBLAST.A [Trend], W32/Blaster-A [Sophos], W32/Blaster [Panda]
Type: Worm
Infection Length: 6,176 bytes
Systems Affected: Windows 2000, Windows XP
Systems Not Affected: Linux, Macintosh, OS/2, UNIX, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me
CVE References: CAN-2003-0352
Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) *
August 11, 2003
Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™) **
August 11, 2003
*
Intelligent Updater definitions are released daily, but require manual download and installation.
Click here to download manually.
**
LiveUpdate virus definitions are usually released every Wednesday.
Click here for instructions on using LiveUpdate.
Wild:
Number of infections: More than 1000
Number of sites: More than 10
Geographical distribution: High
Threat containment: Moderate
Removal: Easy
Threat Metrics
Wild:
High
Damage:
Medium
Distribution:
High
Damage
Payload:
Causes system instability: May cause machines to crash.
Compromises security settings: Opens a hidden remote cmd.exe shell.
Distribution
Ports: TCP 135, TCP 4444, UDP 69
Target of infection: Machines with vulnerable DCOM RPC Services running.
When W32.Blaster.Worm is executed, it does the following:
Creates a Mutex named "BILLY". If the mutex exists, the worm will exit.
Adds the value:
"windows auto update"="msblast.exe"
to the registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
so that the worm runs when you start Windows.
Calculates a random IP address, A.B.C.0, where A, B, and C are random values between 0 and 255.
NOTE: 40% of the time, if C > 20, a random value less than 20 will be subtracted from C.
Once the IP address is calculated, the worm will attempt to find and exploit a computer on the local subnet, based on A.B.C.0. The worm will then count up from 0, attempting to find and exploit other computers, based on the new IP.
Sends data on TCP port 135 that may exploit the DCOM RPC vulnerability.
NOTES:
This means the local subnet will become saturated with port 135 requests.
Due to the random nature of how the worm constructs the exploit data, this may cause computers to crash if it sends incorrect data.
While W32.Blaster.Worm cannot spread to Windows NT or Windows 2003 Server, unpatched computers running these operating systems may crash as the result of attempts by the worm to exploit them. However, if the worm is manually placed and executed on a computer that is running these operating systems, it can run and spread.
Creates a hidden Cmd.exe remote shell that will listen on TCP port 4444, allowing an attacker to issue remote commands on the infected system.
Listens on UDP port 69. When the worm receives a request from a computer it was able to connect to using the DCOM RPC exploit, it will send that computer msblast.exe and tell it to execute the worm.
If the current month is after August, or if the current date is after the 15th, the worm will perform a DoS on Windows Update. The worm will activate the DoS attack on the 16th of this month, and continue until the end of the year.
The worm contains the following text, which is never displayed:
I just want to say LOVE YOU SAN!!
billy gates why do you make this possible ? Stop making money and fix your software!!
Symantec ManHunt
Symantec ManHunt Protocol Anomaly Detection technology detects the activity associated with this exploit as "Portscan." Although ManHunt can detect activity associated with this exploit with the Protocol Anomaly Detection technology, you can use the "Microsoft DCOM RPC Buffer Overflow" custom signature, released in Security Update 4, to precisely identify the exploit being sent.
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.
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 using the W32.Blaster.Worm Removal Tool
Symantec Security Response has developed a removal tool to clean infections of W32.Blaster.Worm. This is the easiest way to remove this threat and should be tried first.
Manual Removal
As an alternative to using the removal tool, you can manually remove this threat.
The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.
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Important Notes:
W32.Blaster.Worm exploits the DCOM RPC vulnerability. This is described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-026, and a patch is available there. You must download and install the patch. In many cases, you will need to do this before you can continue with the removal instructions. If you are not able to remove the infection or prevent re-infection using the following instructions, first download and install the patch.
Because of the way the worm works, it may be difficult to connect to the Internet to obtain the patch, definitions, or removal tool before the worm shuts down the computer. There are at least two known ways to work around this, although neither solution works 100% of the time.
If you run Windows XP, activating the Windows XP firewall may allow you to download and install the patch, obtain virus definitions, and run the removal tool. This may also work with other firewalls, although this has not been confirmed.
In many cases, on both Windows 2000 and XP, changing settings for the Remote Call Procedure (RPC) Service may allow you to connect to the Internet without the computer shutting down. Follow these steps:
Do one of the following:
Windows 2000. Right-click the My Computer icon on the Windows desktop and then click Manage. The Computer Management window opens.
Windows XP. Click the Start button, right-click the My Computer icon, click Manage. The Computer Management window opens.
In the left pane, double-click Services and Applications and then select Services. A list of services appears.
In the right pane, locate the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service.
CAUTION: There is also a service named Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator. Do not confuse the two
Right-click the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service and click Properties.
Click the Recovery tab.
Using the drop-down lists, change First failure, Second failure, and Subsequent failures to "Restart the Service."
Click Apply and then OK
CAUTION: Make sure that you change these settings back when you have removed the worm
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Disable System Restore (Windows XP).
Update the virus definitions.
End the Trojan process.
Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as W32.Blaster.Worm.
Reverse the changes that the Trojan made to the registry.
For details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.
1. Disabling System Restore (Windows 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:
"How to disable or enable Windows Me System Restore"
"How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore"
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. Updating 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: These virus definitions are posted to the LiveUpdate servers once each week (usually on Wednesdays), unless there is a major virus outbreak. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by LiveUpdate, refer to the Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate).
Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted on U.S. business days (Monday through Friday). 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 the Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater).
The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are available: Read "How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater" for detailed instructions.
3. Ending the Worm process
To end the Trojan process:
Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete once.
Click Task Manager.
Click the Processes tab.
Double-click the Image Name column header to alphabetically sort the processes.
Scroll through the list and look for msblast.exe.
If you find the file, click it, and then click End Process.
Exit the Task Manager.
4. Scanning for and deleting the infected files
Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
For Norton AntiVirus consumer products: Read the document, "How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files."
For Symantec AntiVirus Enterprise products: Read the document, "How to verify that a Symantec Corporate antivirus product is set to scan all files."
Run a full system scan.
If any files are detected as infected with W32.Blaster.Worm, click Delete.
5. Reversing the changes made to the registry
CAUTION: 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 keys only. Read the document, "How to make a backup of the Windows registry," for instructions.
Click Start, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
Type regedit
Then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)
Navigate to the key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
In the right pane, delete the value:
"windows auto update"="msblast.exe"
Exit the Registry Editor.
Virenwarnung des PSS Security Response Team
Zurück zur Übersicht
Neuer Wurm: W32.Blaster.Worm
Einstufung des Schweregrades: Kritisch
Datum: 12. August 2003
Betroffene Produkte
Microsoft Windows NT 4.0
Microsoft Windows 2000
Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows Server 2003
Hintergrund dieser Virenwarnung
Das Microsoft Product Support Services Security Team warnt vor dem neuen Wurm W32.Blaster.Worm, der sich derzeit im Internet verbreitet. Der Wurm kann auch unter folgenden Namen auftreten: MBlaster, W32/Lovsan.worm, MSBlast, W32.blaster.worm, Win32.posa.worm oder Win32.poza.worm. W32.Blaster.Worm versucht, eine im Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-026 behobene Sicherheitsanfälligkeit in Windows auszunutzen. Das Ziel des Wurms ist es, einen Denial-of-Service-Angriff gegen die Microsoft Windows Update-Seite durchzuführen.
Vorbeugung
Wenn Sie eine der betroffenen Windows-Versionen verwenden, sollten Sie folgende Schritte zum Schutz Ihres Systems unternehmen:
Stellen Sie sicher, dass Sie eine Firewall verwenden.
Wenn Sie Windows XP oder Windows Server 2003 benutzen, aktivieren Sie die Internetverbindungsfirewall (Internet Connection Firewall, ICF).
Wenn Sie Windows 2000 oder Windows NT benutzen, besuchen Sie die Webseite mit dem Windows-Produktkatalog. Dort finden Sie eine Liste mit Firewall-Softwareprodukten.
Besuchen Sie die Windows Update-Webseite und installieren Sie dort die aktuellen kritischen Updates für Ihre Windows-Version. Stellen Sie sicher, dass Sie die Updates aus dem Security Bulletin MS03-026 installieren.
Stellen Sie sicher, dass eine Antiviren-Software auf Ihrem System installiert und aktiviert ist.
Wenn Sie eine Antiviren-Software installiert haben, stellen Sie sicher, dass die verwendeten Virendefinitionen auf dem aktuellen Stand sind.
Sollten Sie keine Antiviren-Software besitzen, besuchen Sie die Webseite mit dem Windows-Produktkatalog. Dort finden Sie eine Liste von Antivirus-Softwareprodukten.
Wiederherstellung
Wenn Ihr Computer mit dem Wurm infiziert wurde und Sie Windows XP installiert haben, sollten Sie folgende Schritte durchführen:
Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) in Windows XP aktivieren. Instruktionen dazu gibt es unter http://support.microsoft.com/?id=283673
Um die Internet Connection Firewall für eine Verbindung manuell zu konfigurieren, ist folgendes nötig (Rechner muß offline sein!):
In der Systemsteuerung auf Netzwerkverbindungen doppelklicken.
Rechts-Klick auf die betroffene Verbindung, für die ICF aktiviert werden soll. Dann auf Eigenschaften klicken.
Unter dem Karteireiter Erweitert die Option Internetverbindungsfirewall aktivieren.
Den Patch MS03-026 auf das XP System installieren. Der Patch wird eingespielt, wenn man auf folgender Seite auf Download und dann auf Öffnen klickt.: http://microsoft.com/downloads/details.a...32-3DE40F69C074
Bitte auch die Sicherheitshinweise beachten, die dabei helfen, das System auch künftig sicher und virenfrei zu halten: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treevie...y/virus/alerts/
Nachdem diese Schritte durchgeführt wurden, hört das System auf, andauernd neu zu booten. Durch das Einspielen des Patches wird die Sicherheitslücke geschlossen und kann nicht mehr von Schadprogrammen ausgenützt werden. Wichtig ist, weiterhin die Viren-Signaturdateien des entsprechenden Anti Virus Programmherstellers aktuell zu halten.
Wenn Ihr Computer mit dem Wurm infiziert wurde, auf Ihrem Rechner aber nicht Windows XP installiert ist, kontaktieren Sie die Microsoft Product Support Services oder Ihren bevorzugten Hersteller von Antivirenprogrammen für Unterstützung bei der Entfernung.
Zusätzliche Informationen
Weitere Informationen zum Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-026 erhalten Sie hier.
Weitere Informationen zum Schutz Ihres Computers vor Viren erhalten Sie hier (englischsprachig).
Fehlermeldung zum Dienst Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
Bei von W32.Blaster.Worm befallenen Systemen kommt es unter Umständen vor, dass, sobald eine Verbindnung zum Internet hergestellt wird, eine Fehlermeldung zum Dienst RPC erscheint (Der Dienst Remoteprozeduraufruf wurde unerwartet beendet). Anschließend wird ein Neustart durchgeführt. Um dies zu verhindern und die betroffenen Systeme zu aktualisieren, müssen Sie in diesem Fall den im Hintergrund laufenden Dienst MSBLAST.EXE deaktivieren. Gehen Sie hierzu wie folgt vor:
Öffnen Sie den Task Manager. (Drücken Sie die Tasten Strg+Alt+Entf und wählen Sie Taskmanager.)
Klicken Sie die Registrierkarte Prozesse.
Suchen Sie nach dem Eintrag MSBLAST.EXE und wählen Sie diesen aus.
Klicken Sie auf Prozess beenden.
Um zu überprüfen, ob der Prozess beendet wurde, wiederholen Sie die Schritte 1 bis 3.
Nach dieser Prozedur sollte es möglich sein, eine Verbindung zum Internet herzustellen, um Ihre Antivirensoftware zu aktualisieren und etwaige weitere Schritte zur Entfernung dieses Wurms einzuleiten.
Hinweis: Der Wurm fügt der Registrierung einen Eintrag hinzu, durch den der Prozess MSBLAST.EXE bei jedem Neustart des Systems ebenfalls gestartet wird. Erfahrene Benutzer können dies verhindern, indem in der Registrierung folgende Änderungen vorgenommen werden:
Starten Sie den Registrierungs-Editor: Klicken Sie auf Start -> Ausführen und geben Sie den Text Regedit ein. Klicken Sie auf OK.
Klicken Sie auf der linken Seite des erscheinenden Fensters auf HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> Software -> Microsoft -> Windows -> CurrentVersion -> Run
Suchen Sie im rechten Teil des Fensters den Eintrag "windows auto update" = MSBLAST.EXE", klicken Sie mit der rechten Maustaste auf diesen Eintrag und wählen Sie Löschen.
Schliessen Sie den Registrierungs-Editor.
Sollte es Ihnen nicht möglich gewesen sein, den Prozess MSBLAST.EXE wie oben beschrieben zu beenden, starten Sie Ihr System nun neu.
Und die Meldung von Symantec:
W32.Blaster.Worm
Discovered on: August 11, 2003
Last Updated on: August 12, 2003 06:46:58 PM
Based on the number of submissions received from customers and based on information from the Symantec's DeepSight Threat Management System, Symantec Security Response has upgraded this threat to a Category 4 from a Category 3 threat.
W32.Blaster.Worm is a worm that exploits the DCOM RPC vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-026) using TCP port 135. This worm attempts to download the msblast.exe file to the %WinDir%\system32 directory and execute it.
Block access to TCP port 4444 at the firewall level, and then block the following ports, if they do not use the applications listed:
TCP Port 135, "DCOM RPC"
UDP Port 69, "TFTP"
The worm also attempts to perform a Denial of Service (DoS) on Windows Update. This is an attempt to prevent you from applying a patch on your computer against the DCOM RPC vulnerability.
Click here for more information on the vulnerability that this worm exploits, and to find out which Symantec products can help mitigate risks from this vulnerability.
NOTE: This threat will be detected by virus definitions having:
Defs Version: 50811s
Sequence Number: 24254
Extended Version: 8/11/2003, rev. 19
Symantec Security Response has developed a removal tool to clean infections of W32.Blaster.Worm.
Also Known As: W32/Lovsan.worm [McAfee], Win32.Poza [CA], Lovsan [F-Secure], WORM_MSBLAST.A [Trend], W32/Blaster-A [Sophos], W32/Blaster [Panda]
Type: Worm
Infection Length: 6,176 bytes
Systems Affected: Windows 2000, Windows XP
Systems Not Affected: Linux, Macintosh, OS/2, UNIX, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me
CVE References: CAN-2003-0352
Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) *
August 11, 2003
Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™) **
August 11, 2003
*
Intelligent Updater definitions are released daily, but require manual download and installation.
Click here to download manually.
**
LiveUpdate virus definitions are usually released every Wednesday.
Click here for instructions on using LiveUpdate.
Wild:
Number of infections: More than 1000
Number of sites: More than 10
Geographical distribution: High
Threat containment: Moderate
Removal: Easy
Threat Metrics
Wild:
High
Damage:
Medium
Distribution:
High
Damage
Payload:
Causes system instability: May cause machines to crash.
Compromises security settings: Opens a hidden remote cmd.exe shell.
Distribution
Ports: TCP 135, TCP 4444, UDP 69
Target of infection: Machines with vulnerable DCOM RPC Services running.
When W32.Blaster.Worm is executed, it does the following:
Creates a Mutex named "BILLY". If the mutex exists, the worm will exit.
Adds the value:
"windows auto update"="msblast.exe"
to the registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
so that the worm runs when you start Windows.
Calculates a random IP address, A.B.C.0, where A, B, and C are random values between 0 and 255.
NOTE: 40% of the time, if C > 20, a random value less than 20 will be subtracted from C.
Once the IP address is calculated, the worm will attempt to find and exploit a computer on the local subnet, based on A.B.C.0. The worm will then count up from 0, attempting to find and exploit other computers, based on the new IP.
Sends data on TCP port 135 that may exploit the DCOM RPC vulnerability.
NOTES:
This means the local subnet will become saturated with port 135 requests.
Due to the random nature of how the worm constructs the exploit data, this may cause computers to crash if it sends incorrect data.
While W32.Blaster.Worm cannot spread to Windows NT or Windows 2003 Server, unpatched computers running these operating systems may crash as the result of attempts by the worm to exploit them. However, if the worm is manually placed and executed on a computer that is running these operating systems, it can run and spread.
Creates a hidden Cmd.exe remote shell that will listen on TCP port 4444, allowing an attacker to issue remote commands on the infected system.
Listens on UDP port 69. When the worm receives a request from a computer it was able to connect to using the DCOM RPC exploit, it will send that computer msblast.exe and tell it to execute the worm.
If the current month is after August, or if the current date is after the 15th, the worm will perform a DoS on Windows Update. The worm will activate the DoS attack on the 16th of this month, and continue until the end of the year.
The worm contains the following text, which is never displayed:
I just want to say LOVE YOU SAN!!
billy gates why do you make this possible ? Stop making money and fix your software!!
Symantec ManHunt
Symantec ManHunt Protocol Anomaly Detection technology detects the activity associated with this exploit as "Portscan." Although ManHunt can detect activity associated with this exploit with the Protocol Anomaly Detection technology, you can use the "Microsoft DCOM RPC Buffer Overflow" custom signature, released in Security Update 4, to precisely identify the exploit being sent.
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.
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 using the W32.Blaster.Worm Removal Tool
Symantec Security Response has developed a removal tool to clean infections of W32.Blaster.Worm. This is the easiest way to remove this threat and should be tried first.
Manual Removal
As an alternative to using the removal tool, you can manually remove this threat.
The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.
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Important Notes:
W32.Blaster.Worm exploits the DCOM RPC vulnerability. This is described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-026, and a patch is available there. You must download and install the patch. In many cases, you will need to do this before you can continue with the removal instructions. If you are not able to remove the infection or prevent re-infection using the following instructions, first download and install the patch.
Because of the way the worm works, it may be difficult to connect to the Internet to obtain the patch, definitions, or removal tool before the worm shuts down the computer. There are at least two known ways to work around this, although neither solution works 100% of the time.
If you run Windows XP, activating the Windows XP firewall may allow you to download and install the patch, obtain virus definitions, and run the removal tool. This may also work with other firewalls, although this has not been confirmed.
In many cases, on both Windows 2000 and XP, changing settings for the Remote Call Procedure (RPC) Service may allow you to connect to the Internet without the computer shutting down. Follow these steps:
Do one of the following:
Windows 2000. Right-click the My Computer icon on the Windows desktop and then click Manage. The Computer Management window opens.
Windows XP. Click the Start button, right-click the My Computer icon, click Manage. The Computer Management window opens.
In the left pane, double-click Services and Applications and then select Services. A list of services appears.
In the right pane, locate the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service.
CAUTION: There is also a service named Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator. Do not confuse the two
Right-click the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service and click Properties.
Click the Recovery tab.
Using the drop-down lists, change First failure, Second failure, and Subsequent failures to "Restart the Service."
Click Apply and then OK
CAUTION: Make sure that you change these settings back when you have removed the worm
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Disable System Restore (Windows XP).
Update the virus definitions.
End the Trojan process.
Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as W32.Blaster.Worm.
Reverse the changes that the Trojan made to the registry.
For details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.
1. Disabling System Restore (Windows 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:
"How to disable or enable Windows Me System Restore"
"How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore"
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. Updating 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: These virus definitions are posted to the LiveUpdate servers once each week (usually on Wednesdays), unless there is a major virus outbreak. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by LiveUpdate, refer to the Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate).
Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted on U.S. business days (Monday through Friday). 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 the Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater).
The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are available: Read "How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater" for detailed instructions.
3. Ending the Worm process
To end the Trojan process:
Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete once.
Click Task Manager.
Click the Processes tab.
Double-click the Image Name column header to alphabetically sort the processes.
Scroll through the list and look for msblast.exe.
If you find the file, click it, and then click End Process.
Exit the Task Manager.
4. Scanning for and deleting the infected files
Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
For Norton AntiVirus consumer products: Read the document, "How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files."
For Symantec AntiVirus Enterprise products: Read the document, "How to verify that a Symantec Corporate antivirus product is set to scan all files."
Run a full system scan.
If any files are detected as infected with W32.Blaster.Worm, click Delete.
5. Reversing the changes made to the registry
CAUTION: 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 keys only. Read the document, "How to make a backup of the Windows registry," for instructions.
Click Start, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
Type regedit
Then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)
Navigate to the key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
In the right pane, delete the value:
"windows auto update"="msblast.exe"
Exit the Registry Editor.
