F-Secure Virus Descriptions : Onex

W97M/Onex is a simple Word macro virus.

VARIANT:

Onex.A

W97M/Onex.A is a simple Word macro virus, that infects the global template when an infected document is opened. After that all opened documents become infected. Beside replication the virus disables the macro virus protection.

VARIANT:

Onex.E

W97M/Onex.E contains a payload that activates based on a random number. In a chance of 1:150 the virus attempts to delete "c:\winnt\system32\ntoskrnl.exe" when an infected document is opened or a document is opened in an infected system. Otherwise it functions like the original W97M/Onex.A.

[Analysis: Sami Rautiainen, F-Secure; August 2001]