Classification

Category :

Malware

Type :

Virus

Platform :

X97M

Aliases :

PTH

Summary

XM/PTH is a Excel macro virus. Some variants of it contains a destructive payload.

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:PTH.A

When an infected workbook has been opened, XM/PTH.A creates an infected workbook to Excel's starup directory, "PERSONAL.XLS".

After this has been done, the virus infects all workbooks that are opened.

The virus activates its payload if the infected workbook or Excel itself has been opened after 5:00 pm, and it has been open for at least 5 minutes.

At this time the virus closes Excel, unless the day of the month is 13th when it attempts to destroy files with the following extensions from the directory where the workbook has been opened:

*.XLS

 *.TXT

Variant:PTH.E

XM/PTH.E is very similar to XM/PTH.A. However, the payload has been removed.

XM/PTH.E has been detected since October 19th, 1999. X97M/PTH.E has been detected since October 26th, 1999.