Exploit:W32/PDF-Dropper.Gen

Classification

Category :

Malware

Type :

Exploit

Aliases :

Exploit.PDF-Dropper.Gen

Summary

Exploit:W32/PDF-Dropper.Gen is a generic detection for a malicious PDF file that exploits a known vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader to drop a trojan onto the affected machine. This detection is associated with a spam run reported on June 8, 2010.

Security programs use generic detections that look for broad patterns of code or behavior to identify similar programs or files. If you suspect the file was incorrectly detected, go to: Removal: Suspect a file is incorrectly detected (a False Positive)?.

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

More details about the spam run are available from our Labs Weblog post.

Distribution

The malicious PDF document is distributed as an file attachment to an email message that has the following characteristics:

From: [random addresses] To:[random recipients] Subject: New Resume>>Please review my CV, Thank You!>> Attachment:resume.pdf

If the unsuspecting user opens the PDF attachment, the exploit is executed.

Execution

On execution, the exploit drops a variant from the Alureon or Trojan:W32/DNSChanger malware families.