Worm:W32/NetSky.C

Classification

Category :

Malware

Type :

Email-Worm

Aliases :

NetSky.C, I-Worm.Moodown.C, W32/Netsky.C@mm, Moodown.C, Worm.Somefool, I-Worm.NetSky.c

Summary

Netsky.C (also known as Moodown.C) worm was found on 25th of February 2004. This variant has been improved comparing to previous variants of the worm. Netsky.C spreads itself in emails inside a ZIP archive or as an executable attachment. It also copies itself to shared folders of all available drives. This allows the worm to spread in P2P (peer-to-peer) and local networks.

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

Descriptions of previous NetSky variants can be found here:

The differences between Netsky.C variant and the previous variants of the worm are as follows:

  • We received several differently packed variants of Moodown.C worm. First two variants are packed with Petite file compressor and one of those is 1 byte longer that another. The third variant is packed with ASPack file compressor while the forth variant is packed with UPX file compressor.
  • The worm doesn't show an error messagebox when run for the first time.
  • On February 26th, 2004 the worm constantly beeps with PC speaker from 6:00 to 8:59. Below is the link to the WAV file with the sound that the worm makes: https://www.f-secure.com/v-pics/netsky_d.wav
  • The worm installs itself as WINLOGON.EXE file to Windows folder and creates a startup key for this file in the Registry:
    [HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
    "ICQ Net" = "%windir%\winlogon.exe -stealth"
    
    where %windir% represents Windows directory.
  • In addition to deleting MyDoom startup keys in the Registry, the worm deletes the following keys:
    [HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices]
    msgsvr32
    DELETE ME
    service
    Sentry
    Windows Services Host [HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices]
    d3dupdate.exe
    au.exe
    OLE
    Windows Services Host [HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\PINF] [HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\WksPatch]
    
  • The worm has a longer list of file extensions that it uses to look for email addresses:
    .eml
    .txt
    .php
    .pl
    .htm
    .html
    .vbs
    .rtf
    .uin
    .asp
    .wab
    .doc
    .adb
    .tbb
    .dbx
    .sht
    .oft
    .msg
    .shtm
    .cgi
    .dhtm
    
  • The worm avoids sending emails to addresses that contain the following strings:
    icrosoft
    antivi
    ymantec
    spam
    avp
    f-secur
    itdefender
    orman
    cafee
    aspersky
    f-pro
    orton
    fbi
    abuse
    
  • If the worm finds a folder that has the 'shar' substring in its name on any of drives from C: to Z: (except CD-ROM drives), it copies itself to that folder with one of the following names:
    Microsoft WinXP Crack.exe
    Teen Porn 16.jpg.pif
    Adobe Premiere 9.exe
    Adobe Photoshop 9 full.exe
    Best Matrix Screensaver.scr
    Porno Screensaver.scr
    Dark Angels.pif
    XXX hardcore pic.jpg.exe
    Microsoft Office 2003 Crack.exe
    Serials.txt.exe
    Screensaver.scr
    Full album.mp3.pif
    Ahead Nero 7.exe
    Virii Sourcecode.scr
    E-Book Archive.rtf.exe
    Doom 3 Beta.exe
    How to hack.doc.exe
    Learn Programming.doc.exe
    WinXP eBook.doc.exe
    Win Longhorn Beta.exe
    Dictionary English - France.doc.exe
    RFC Basics Full Edition.doc.exe
    1000 Sex and more.rtf.exe
    3D Studio Max 3dsmax.exe
    Keygen 4 all appz.exe
    Windows Sourcecode.doc.exe
    Norton Antivirus 2004.exe
    Gimp 1.5 Full with Key.exe
    Partitionsmagic 9.0.exe
    Star Office 8.exe
    Magix Video Deluxe 4.exe
    Clone DVD 5.exe
    MS Service Pack 5.exe
    ACDSee 9.exe
    Visual Studio Net Crack.exe
    Cracks & Warez Archive.exe
    WinAmp 12 full.exe
    DivX 7.0 final.exe
    Opera.exe
    IE58.1 full setup.exe
    Smashing the stack.rtf.exe
    Ulead Keygen.exe
    Lightwave SE Update.exe
    The Sims 3 crack.exe
    
  • The subjects of infected messages sent by the worm can be:
    Delivery Failed
    Status
    report
    question
    trust me
    hey
    Re: excuse me
    read it immediatelly
    hi
    Re: does it?
    Yep
    important
    hello
    ear
    Re: unknown
    fake?
    warning
    moin
    what's up?
    info
    Re: information
    Here is it
    stolen
    private?
    good morning
    illegal...
    error
    take it
    re:
    Re: Re: Re: Re:
    you?
    something for you
    exception
    Re: hey
    excuse me
    Re: hi
    Re: does it?
    Re: important
    Re: hello
    believe me
    Question
    denied!
    notification
    Re: <5664ddff?$??§2>
    lol
    last chance!
    I'm back!
    its me
    notice!
    oh
    
  • The infected message body text can be the following:
          what means that?  help attached  <...>  ok...    that is interesting...  i wait for your comment about it.  such as yours?  read the details.  gonna?  here is the document.  *lol*  read it immediately!  i found that about you!  your hero in the picture?  yours?  here is it.  illegal st. of you?  is that true?  account?  is that your name?  picture?  message?  is that your account?  pwd?  I wait for an answer!  abuse?  is that yours?  you are a bad writer  I don't know your document!    I have your password!  you won the rk!  something about you!  classroom test of you?  kill the writer of this document!  old photos about you?  i hope thats not true!  your name is wrong!  does it match?  i found this document about you.  time to fear?  really?  do you know this????  i know your document!  did you sent it to me?  this file is bad!  why should I?  pages?  her.  another pic, have fun! ... :->  test it  child porn?  greetings  xxx ?  stuff about you?  your document is not good  something is going wrong!  your photo is poor  information about you?  the information is wrong!  doc about me?  kill him on the picture!  from the chatter (my photo!)  from your lover ;-)  love letter?  here, the serials  are you a teacherin the picture?  here, the introduction  is that criminal?  here, the cheats  i like your doc!  what do you think about it?  that's a funny text.  that's not the truth?  do you have?  instruct me about this!  i lost that  i am speachless about your document!  is that the reality?  reply  msg  your design is not good!  important?  your TAN number?  take it easy!  why?  you are naked in this document!  thats wrong!  your icq number?  i am desperate  modifications?  your personal record?  yes.  misc. and so on. see you!  your attachment? verify it.  you earn money, see the attachment!  is that your attachment?  is that your website?  you feel the same.  meaning of that?  possible?  you have tried to steal!  did you ask me for that?  you are bad  your job? (I found that!)  is that possible?  something is going ...  something is not ok  did you know from this document?  wrong calculation! (see the attachment!)  never!  poor quality!  good work!  excellent!  great!  i don't think so.  pretty pic about you?  docs?  schoolfriend?    <09580985869gj>  }  i want more...  here is the next one!  attachi#  did you see her already?  is that your wife?  is that your creditcard?  is that your photo?  do you think so?  do you have the bug also?  already?  forgotten?  drugs? ...  does it matter?  i have received this.  best?  the truth?  your body?  your eyes?  your face?  File is self-decryting.  File is damaged.  File is bad.  i saw you last week!  xxx service  your account is expired!  you cannot hide yourself! (see photo)  copyright?  what still?  who?  how?    only encrypted!  personal message!  my advice....  i've found it about you  <<>>      great xxx!  man or women?  child or adult?  here is yours!  a crazy doc about you  xxx about you?  i don't want your xxx pics!      doc?  trial?  what?  ;-)  i need you!  correct it!  see this!  it's a secret!  this is nothing for kids!  it's so similar as yours!  is that your car?  do not give up!  great job!  here is the $%%454$  you are sexy in this doc!  incest?  let it!  you look like an ape!  you look like an rat?  be mad?  are you cranky?  bob the builder  did you know that?  money?  is that your car?  is this information about you?  is that your privacy?  is that your TAN?  is that your message?  is that your cd?  is that your finger?  your are naked?  is that your porn pic?  is that your work?  is that your family?  is that your beast?  is that your account?  is that your slip?  is that your domain?  are you the naked one?  are you the naked person!  are you the one?  does it belong to you?  do you have sex in the picture?  you have a sexy body in the pic!  your lie is going around the world!      lets talk about it!  do you know the thief?  are you a photographer?  you have done a mistake in the document!  its private from me  do not show this anyone!  new patch is available!  this is an attachment message!  in your mind?  Microsoft  fast food...  Your bill.  try this patch!  do you have an orgasm in the picture?      Transaction failed. Show the doc!  I 've found your bill!  see your name!  You are infected. Read the details!  here is my advice.  here is my photo!  here is the   feel free to use it.  does it belong to you?  Login required! Read the attachment!  your document is silly!  is the pic a fake?  Antispam is turned off. See file!  Authentification required. Read the attachment  solve the problem!    do not use my document!  do not open the attachment!  do not visit the pages on the list I sent!  explain!  tell me more about your document!  Your provider will be disabled!  Instant patches.  
  • The infected attachment names are randomly selected from the following list:
    what means that?
    help attached
    <...>
    ok...
    
    that is interesting...
    i wait for your comment about it.
    such as yours?
    read the details.
    gonna?
    here is the document.
    *lol*
    read it immediately!
    i found that about you!
    your hero in the picture?
    yours?
    here is it.
    illegal st. of you?
    is that true?
    account?
    is that your name?
    picture?
    message?
    is that your account?
    pwd?
    I wait for an answer!
    abuse?
    is that yours?
    you are a bad writer
    I don't know your document!
    
    I have your password!
    you won the rk!
    something about you!
    classroom test of you?
    kill the writer of this document!
    old photos about you?
    i hope thats not true!
    your name is wrong!
    does it match?
    i found this document about you.
    time to fear?
    really?
    do you know this????
    i know your document!
    did you sent it to me?
    this file is bad!
    why should I?
    pages?
    her.
    another pic, have fun! ... :->
    test it
    child porn?
    greetings
    xxx ?
    stuff about you?
    your document is not good
    something is going wrong!
    your photo is poor
    information about you?
    the information is wrong!
    doc about me?
    kill him on the picture!
    from the chatter (my photo!)
    from your lover ;-)
    love letter?
    here, the serials
    are you a teacherin the picture?
    here, the introduction
    is that criminal?
    here, the cheats
    i like your doc!
    what do you think about it?
    that's a funny text.
    that's not the truth?
    do you have?
    instruct me about this!
    i lost that
    i am speachless about your document!
    is that the reality?
    reply
    msg
    your design is not good!
    important?
    your TAN number?
    take it easy!
    why?
    you are naked in this document!
    thats wrong!
    your icq number?
    i am desperate
    modifications?
    your personal record?
    yes.
    misc. and so on. see you!
    your attachment? verify it.
    you earn money, see the attachment!
    is that your attachment?
    is that your website?
    you feel the same.
    meaning of that?
    possible?
    you have tried to steal!
    did you ask me for that?
    you are bad
    your job? (I found that!)
    is that possible?
    something is going ...
    something is not ok
    did you know from this document?
    wrong calculation! (see the attachment!)
    never!
    poor quality!
    good work!
    excellent!
    great!
    i don't think so.
    pretty pic about you?
    docs?
    schoolfriend?
    
    <09580985869gj>
    
    only encrypted!
    personal message!
    my advice....
    i've found it about you
    <<>>great xxx!
    man or women?
    child or adult?
    here is yours!
    a crazy doc about you
    xxx about you?
    i don't want your xxx pics!doc?
    trial?
    what?
    ;-)
    i need you!
    correct it!
    see this!
    it's a secret!
    this is nothing for kids!
    it's so similar as yours!
    is that your car?
    do not give up!
    great job!
    here is the $%%454$
    you are sexy in this doc!
    incest?
    let it!
    you look like an ape!
    you look like an rat?
    be mad?
    are you cranky?
    bob the builder
    did you know that?
    money?
    is that your car?
    is this information about you?
    is that your privacy?
    is that your TAN?
    is that your message?
    is that your cd?
    is that your finger?
    your are naked?
    is that your porn pic?
    is that your work?
    is that your family?
    is that your beast?
    is that your account?
    is that your slip?
    is that your domain?
    are you the naked one?
    are you the naked person!
    are you the one?
    does it belong to you?
    do you have sex in the picture?
    you have a sexy body in the pic!
    your lie is going around the world!lets talk about it!
    do you know the thief?
    are you a photographer?
    you have done a mistake in the document!
    its private from me
    do not show this anyone!
    new patch is available!
    this is an attachment message!
    in your mind?
    Microsoft
    fast food...
    Your bill.
    try this patch!
    do you have an orgasm in the picture?Transaction failed. Show the doc!
    I 've found your bill!
    see your name!
    You are infected. Read the details!
    here is my advice.
    here is my photo!
    here is the
     feel free to use it.
    does it belong to you?
    Login required! Read the attachment!
    your document is silly!
    is the pic a fake?
    Antispam is turned off. See file!
    Authentification required. Read the attachment
    solve the problem!
    
    do not use my document!
    do not open the attachment!
    do not visit the pages on the list I sent!
    explain!
    tell me more about your document!
    Your provider will be disabled!
    Instant patches.
    

The worm can compose the attachment name from several parts listed above.

Like in the previous variants, the worm can use one or two extensions for its attachments. For the first extension the worm uses the following:

what means that?
help attached
<...>
ok...

that is interesting...
i wait for your comment about it.
such as yours?
read the details.
gonna?
here is the document.
*lol*
read it immediately!
i found that about you!
your hero in the picture?
yours?
here is it.
illegal st. of you?
is that true?
account?
is that your name?
picture?
message?
is that your account?
pwd?
I wait for an answer!
abuse?
is that yours?
you are a bad writer
I don't know your document!

I have your password!
you won the rk!
something about you!
classroom test of you?
kill the writer of this document!
old photos about you?
i hope thats not true!
your name is wrong!
does it match?
i found this document about you.
time to fear?
really?
do you know this????
i know your document!
did you sent it to me?
this file is bad!
why should I?
pages?
her.
another pic, have fun! ... :->
test it
child porn?
greetings
xxx ?
stuff about you?
your document is not good
something is going wrong!
your photo is poor
information about you?
the information is wrong!
doc about me?
kill him on the picture!
from the chatter (my photo!)
from your lover ;-)
love letter?
here, the serials
are you a teacherin the picture?
here, the introduction
is that criminal?
here, the cheats
i like your doc!
what do you think about it?
that's a funny text.
that's not the truth?
do you have?
instruct me about this!
i lost that
i am speachless about your document!
is that the reality?
reply
msg
your design is not good!
important?
your TAN number?
take it easy!
why?
you are naked in this document!
thats wrong!
your icq number?
i am desperate
modifications?
your personal record?
yes.
misc. and so on. see you!
your attachment? verify it.
you earn money, see the attachment!
is that your attachment?
is that your website?
you feel the same.
meaning of that?
possible?
you have tried to steal!
did you ask me for that?
you are bad
your job? (I found that!)
is that possible?
something is going ...
something is not ok
did you know from this document?
wrong calculation! (see the attachment!)
never!
poor quality!
good work!
excellent!
great!
i don't think so.
pretty pic about you?
docs?
schoolfriend?

<09580985869gj>

only encrypted!
personal message!
my advice....
i've found it about you
<<>>great xxx!
man or women?
child or adult?
here is yours!
a crazy doc about you
xxx about you?
i don't want your xxx pics!doc?
trial?
what?
;-)
i need you!
correct it!
see this!
it's a secret!
this is nothing for kids!
it's so similar as yours!
is that your car?
do not give up!
great job!
here is the $%%454$
you are sexy in this doc!
incest?
let it!
you look like an ape!
you look like an rat?
be mad?
are you cranky?
bob the builder
did you know that?
money?
is that your car?
is this information about you?
is that your privacy?
is that your TAN?
is that your message?
is that your cd?
is that your finger?
your are naked?
is that your porn pic?
is that your work?
is that your family?
is that your beast?
is that your account?
is that your slip?
is that your domain?
are you the naked one?
are you the naked person!
are you the one?
does it belong to you?
do you have sex in the picture?
you have a sexy body in the pic!
your lie is going around the world!lets talk about it!
do you know the thief?
are you a photographer?
you have done a mistake in the document!
its private from me
do not show this anyone!
new patch is available!
this is an attachment message!
in your mind?
Microsoft
fast food...
Your bill.
try this patch!
do you have an orgasm in the picture?Transaction failed. Show the doc!
I 've found your bill!
see your name!
You are infected. Read the details!
here is my advice.
here is my photo!
here is the
 feel free to use it.
does it belong to you?
Login required! Read the attachment!
your document is silly!
is the pic a fake?
Antispam is turned off. See file!
Authentification required. Read the attachment
solve the problem!

do not use my document!
do not open the attachment!
do not visit the pages on the list I sent!
explain!
tell me more about your document!
Your provider will be disabled!
Instant patches.

For the second extension the worm uses the following:

what means that?
help attached
<...>
ok...

that is interesting...
i wait for your comment about it.
such as yours?
read the details.
gonna?
here is the document.
*lol*
read it immediately!
i found that about you!
your hero in the picture?
yours?
here is it.
illegal st. of you?
is that true?
account?
is that your name?
picture?
message?
is that your account?
pwd?
I wait for an answer!
abuse?
is that yours?
you are a bad writer
I don't know your document!

I have your password!
you won the rk!
something about you!
classroom test of you?
kill the writer of this document!
old photos about you?
i hope thats not true!
your name is wrong!
does it match?
i found this document about you.
time to fear?
really?
do you know this????
i know your document!
did you sent it to me?
this file is bad!
why should I?
pages?
her.
another pic, have fun! ... :->
test it
child porn?
greetings
xxx ?
stuff about you?
your document is not good
something is going wrong!
your photo is poor
information about you?
the information is wrong!
doc about me?
kill him on the picture!
from the chatter (my photo!)
from your lover ;-)
love letter?
here, the serials
are you a teacherin the picture?
here, the introduction
is that criminal?
here, the cheats
i like your doc!
what do you think about it?
that's a funny text.
that's not the truth?
do you have?
instruct me about this!
i lost that
i am speachless about your document!
is that the reality?
reply
msg
your design is not good!
important?
your TAN number?
take it easy!
why?
you are naked in this document!
thats wrong!
your icq number?
i am desperate
modifications?
your personal record?
yes.
misc. and so on. see you!
your attachment? verify it.
you earn money, see the attachment!
is that your attachment?
is that your website?
you feel the same.
meaning of that?
possible?
you have tried to steal!
did you ask me for that?
you are bad
your job? (I found that!)
is that possible?
something is going ...
something is not ok
did you know from this document?
wrong calculation! (see the attachment!)
never!
poor quality!
good work!
excellent!
great!
i don't think so.
pretty pic about you?
docs?
schoolfriend?

<09580985869gj>

only encrypted!
personal message!
my advice....
i've found it about you
<<>>great xxx!
man or women?
child or adult?
here is yours!
a crazy doc about you
xxx about you?
i don't want your xxx pics!doc?
trial?
what?
;-)
i need you!
correct it!
see this!
it's a secret!
this is nothing for kids!
it's so similar as yours!
is that your car?
do not give up!
great job!
here is the $%%454$
you are sexy in this doc!
incest?
let it!
you look like an ape!
you look like an rat?
be mad?
are you cranky?
bob the builder
did you know that?
money?
is that your car?
is this information about you?
is that your privacy?
is that your TAN?
is that your message?
is that your cd?
is that your finger?
your are naked?
is that your porn pic?
is that your work?
is that your family?
is that your beast?
is that your account?
is that your slip?
is that your domain?
are you the naked one?
are you the naked person!
are you the one?
does it belong to you?
do you have sex in the picture?
you have a sexy body in the pic!
your lie is going around the world!lets talk about it!
do you know the thief?
are you a photographer?
you have done a mistake in the document!
its private from me
do not show this anyone!
new patch is available!
this is an attachment message!
in your mind?
Microsoft
fast food...
Your bill.
try this patch!
do you have an orgasm in the picture?Transaction failed. Show the doc!
I 've found your bill!
see your name!
You are infected. Read the details!
here is my advice.
here is my photo!
here is the
 feel free to use it.
does it belong to you?
Login required! Read the attachment!
your document is silly!
is the pic a fake?
Antispam is turned off. See file!
Authentification required. Read the attachment
solve the problem!

do not use my document!
do not open the attachment!
do not visit the pages on the list I sent!
explain!
tell me more about your document!
Your provider will be disabled!
Instant patches.

The worm spreads itself in emails as a ZIP attachment or as an attachment with one of the above shown names.

The worm's file is attached to the infected email inside a ZIP archive or as an normal binary file. A recipient has to unpack the worm's attachment from a ZIP archive and to run it or to run an executable attachment to get infected.