Classification

Category :

Malware

Type :

Virus

Platform :

W97M

Aliases :

Disco, Poppy

Summary

W97M/Disco is a fairly simple Word 97 macro virus, and it infects the "NORMAL.DOT" when an infected document is opened. After that it will infect every document that is opened.

Removal

Based on the settings of your F-Secure security program, it will either automatically delete, quarantine or rename the detected program or file, or ask you for a desired action.

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

Beside replication, the virus creates an autorun file ("autorun.inf") to the root of the "C:" drive with a random icon.

The virus hooks some of the menu selections as well. Menu selections "Help/About" and "Tools/Macros/Visual Basic Editor" is replaced with a three different message boxes:

W97M/Disco.Poppy by VicodinES
        Everything is fine - nothing to see here - let's move it along kids!
        Social camouflage for this modern age!

The virus activates its payload on every day at 12:00:01 pm if user selects one of the "Tools/Macros/Macro", "File/Print" or "File/Templates" menu selections.

If user selected "Tools/Macros/Macro" or "File/Templates" menu, it deletes the entire active document, and inserts the following text:

Macro.Poppy.I aka Disco.Poppy
        By VicodinES
        Macro Virus for Word 97
        T h e   N a r k o t i c   N e t w o r k !

If user selected "File/Print" menu, the text will be as follows:

When will you wake up and realize that we live in a
        primitive society? Don't kid yourself - there is NO GOD!!

This text will be inserted to the end of the document and then the document will be printed.

Variant:Disco.B

This variant, W97M/Disco.B, creates a batch file to the Windows' startup directory "C:\windows\startm~1\programs\startup\msfile.bat" which attempts to remove the "NORMAL.DOT" if it is read-protected at the next time the Windows is restarted.

Otherwise it is very similar to W97M/Disco.A variant, there is only slight changes in the texts and messages that it displays.

Variant:Disco.C

This variant is functionally identical with W97M/Disco.A.

Variant:Disco.D

This variant has no payload and it displays no messages.

Variant:Disco.E

W97M/Disco.E is sligtly modified variant of W97M/Disco.D. Additionally it hooks "Tools/Macros/Macro" menu rendering it unusable.