Classification

Category :

Malware

Type :

-

Aliases :

SQLSpida, Worm.SQLSpida, SQLsnake, Digispid

Summary

SQLSpida is a worm that spreads among machines running Microsoft SQL Server. The worm uses the default SQL Server system administrator account ("sa") with an empty password to infect the system.Note: Change the password on your SA account to a strong one and block access to your SQL server from the public internet.

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:SQLSpida.A

SQLSpida.A attempts to find machines running SQL Server with an empty "sa" account, by scanning port 1433 from random IP address ranges. It does not scan private Class A networks (10, 127, 172 and 192).If a vulnerable machine is found, the worm will change both "sqlagentcmdexec" and "sa" user passwords to same, random four character password. "sqlagentcmdexec" user is also added to both local Administrators and Domain Admins groups.The worm also collects information about the machine, such as a dump of password hashes from the system, and sends them via email, propably to the virus writer.It copies following files to Windows' System32 directory on the host that it infects:

sqlexec.exe

 clemail.exe

 sqlprocess.js

 sqlinstall.bat

 sqldir.js

 run.js

 timer.dll

 samdump.dll

 pwdump2.exe

and the following file to Windows' System32\drivers directory:

services.exe

Next the worm starts scanning random Class C networks. The worm will scan until it has infected ten machines and it removes itself from the host.

Variant:SQLSpida.B

SQLSpida.B is similar to .A variant.Instead of using "sqlagentcmdexec" account, this variant enables the "guest" account, sets its password and adds this account to both local Administrators and Domain Admins groups. After the system has been infected, the guest account is disabled and removed from administative groups in order to hide traces of the worm.The file "sqlexec.exe" has been replaced with a JavaScript file "sqlexec.js".This variant also sets the following registry key so, that it will be executed in the system restart:

HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\NetDDE\ImagePath