Classification

Category :

Malware

Type :

Worm

Aliases :

Datom, Worm_Win32_Datom, Worm.Win32.Datom

Summary

Datom is a network worm. It replicates to shared network resources. The worm consists of 3 different files:

MSVXD.EXE
MSVXD16.DLL
MSVXD32.DLL

The first component, MSVXD.EXE activates the worm by loading the MSVXD16.DLL library. The MSVXD16.DLL then loads the MSVXD32.DLL component, which spreads the worm.

Removal

Based on the settings of your F-Secure security product, it will either move the file to the quarantine where it cannot spread or cause harm, or remove it.

A False Positive is when a file is incorrectly detected as harmful, usually because its code or behavior resembles known harmful programs. A False Positive will usually be fixed in a subsequent database update without any action needed on your part. If you wish, you may also:

  • Check for the latest database updates

    First check if your F-Secure security program is using the latest updates, then try scanning the file again.

  • Submit a sample

    After checking, if you still believe the file is incorrectly detected, you can submit a sample of it for re-analysis.

    Note: If the file was moved to quarantine, you need to collect the file from quarantine before you can submit it.

  • Exclude a file from further scanning

    If you are certain that the file is safe and want to continue using it, you can exclude it from further scanning by the F-Secure security product.

    Note: You need administrative rights to change the settings.

Technical Details

The worm searches for available network resources and tries to connect to their host computers. If the connection has been successfull, the worm then searches for a shared directory that appears to be the Windows directory: it tries the "WinNT" name, and also tries to read the "WinDir" section in the MSDOS.SYS file (if it exists and is available). Then the worm copies all its components to the remote Windows directory, and then sets MSVXD.EXE up to start with Windows automatically: if there is file called "Win.ini" in the remote Windows directory, it writes "MSVXD.EXE" string in the "Run" section of this file, otherwise it creates a link file pointing to MSVXD.exe and called "VxD Manager.lnk" in the common ("All users") Startup directory on the remote computer.

The worm searched for the presence of the ZoneAlarm firewall, and tries to terminate its active instances. It also tries to send "notification" email messages to one of two different addresses that may belong to the author of the worm. These messages contain information about the infected system.