Worm:W32/Netsky
Summary
Worm:W32/Netsky refers to a large family of worms which spread in infectious files attached to fake email messages. Netsky was originally named Moodoom, or I-Worm.Moodoom.
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.
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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.
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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
The details below describe the Netsky.A variant; this variant was first found on 16th of February 2004.
Netsky.A was initially sent out in numerous seed emails. The worm spreads itself inside a ZIP archive file attached to email messages or as an executable attachment.
Netsky.A also copies itself to the shared folders of all available drives, allowing it to spread in peer-to-peer (P2P) and local networks.
Installation
When the worm's file is run, it first shows a fake error message box:
Error The file could not be opened!
Then the worm copies itself to Windows directory with SERVICES.EXE name and creates a startup key for this file in System Registry:
- [HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] "service" = "%windir%\services.exe -serv"
where %windir% represents Windows directory
At the same time the worm also attempts to delete the following key values:
- [HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] "Taskmon" "Explorer" "system." "KasperskyAv"
- [HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] "Taskmon" "Explorer"
- [HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices] "system."
- [HKCR\CLSID\{E6FB5E20-DE35-11CF-9C87-00AA005127ED}\InProcServer32]
Propagation (Local)
If the worm finds a folder with the 'sharing' or 'share' name, it copies itself to that folder with the following names:
- winxp_crack.exe
- dolly_buster.jpg.pif
- strippoker.exe
- photoshop 9 crack.exe
- matrix.scr
- porno.scr
- angels.pif
- hardcore porn.jpg.exe
- office_crack.exe
- serial.txt.exe
- cool screensaver.scr
- eminem - lick my pussy.mp3.pif
- nero.7.exe
- virii.scr
- e-book.archive.doc.exe
- max payne 2.crack.exe
- how to hack.doc.exe
- programming basics.doc.exe
- e.book.doc.exe
- win longhorn.doc.exe
- dictionary.doc.exe
- rfc compilation.doc.exe
- sex sex sex sex.doc.exe
- doom2.doc.pif
Propagation (email)
When Internet connection is available, the worm starts to spread itself. It creates ZIP archives with its file in Windows directory. The names of these ZIP archives are the same as the names of worm's files inside:
- prod_info_04155.bat
- prod_info_54234.scr
- prod_info_42313.pif
- prod_info_33462.cmd
- prod_info_49541.exe
- prod_info_04650.bat
- prod_info_54739.scr
- prod_info_42818.pif
- prod_info_33967.cmd
- prod_info_49146.exe
- prod_info_54235.scr
- prod_info_42314.pif
- prod_info_54433.doc.exe
- prod_info_47532.doc.scr
- prod_info_43631.doc.exe
- prod_info_56780.doc.exe
- prod_info_43859.htm.scr
- prod_info_87968.htm.scr
- prod_info_34157.htm.exe
- prod_info_77256.txt.scr
- prod_info_33325.txt.exe
- prod_info_56474.txt.exe
- prod_info_33543.rtf.scr
- prod_info_65642.rtf.scr
- prod_info_55761.rtf.exe
The worm spreads itself in emails as a ZIP attachment or as an attachment with one of the above shown names. The infected emails sent by the worm look like :
From: EBay Auctions or Yahoo Auctions or Amazon automail or MSN Auctions or QXL Auctions or Ebay Auctions Subject: Auction successful! Body: #----------------- message was sent by automail agent ------------------# Congratulations! You were successful in the auction. Auction ID [random number] Product ID [random number] A detailed description about the product and the bill are attached to this mail. Please contact the seller immediately Thank you!
The worm's file is attached to the infected email inside a ZIP archive or as an normal binary file. The following ZIP attachent names are used by the worm:
- prod_info_04155.zip
- prod_info_54234.zip
- prod_info_42313.zip
- prod_info_33462.zip
- prod_info_49541.zip
- prod_info_04650.zip
- prod_info_54739.zip
- prod_info_42818.zip
- prod_info_33967.zip
- prod_info_49146.zip
- prod_info_54235.zip
- prod_info_42314.zip
- prod_info_54433.zip
- prod_info_47532.zip
- prod_info_43631.zip
- prod_info_56780.zip
- prod_info_43859.zip
- prod_info_87968.zip
- prod_info_34157.zip
- prod_info_77256.zip
- prod_info_33325.zip
- prod_info_56474.zip
- prod_info_33543.zip
- prod_info_65642.zip
- prod_info_55761.zip
The worm sends the prepared infectious emails to email addresses sourced from the computer. To find these targets, the worm scans files with the following extensions on all available drives (c:-z:) except CD-ROM drives:
- .msg
- .oft
- .sht
- .dbx
- .tbb
- .adb
- .doc
- .wab
- .asp
- .uin
- .rtf
- .vbs
- .html
- .htm
- .pl
- .php
- .txt
- .eml
A recipient has to unpack the worm's attachment from a ZIP archive and run it to get infected.