Classification

Category :

Malware

Type :

Virus

Platform :

X97M

Aliases :

Pinkpick, X97M/Pinkpick, X97M.Pink.A.Gen

Summary

Pinkpick is an Excel macro virus.

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

Variant:Pinkpick.A

X97M/Pinkpick.A is an Excel macro virus that activates on opening. During that time it executes a subroutine "pink" that is the main part of the virus.

Pinkpick.A drops its code in Excel's startup directory in a file B00k1.xls. If a workbook contains one sheet only, the virus does not infect it.

While infecting different workbooks, Pinkpick uses different module names. The first letter of the module name it takes from the first letter of the workbook that it infected. If the first character is not a letter then it uses 'N'. The second letter in the module's name is always 'V'. The virus uses this to recognize itself. If the name of the workbook starts with "Book", then the virus saves it.

The payload is to set a random password when the sum of the day and the month is 13 or 22, also if the month is June and the day is 15. At that time is also changes the cell format, column with, row height and zoom to 25.