Exploit:W32/PDF-Payload.Gen

Classification

Category :

Malware

Type :

Exploit

Aliases :

Pdf-payload, Exploit:pdf-name.gen, Exploit.PDF-Payload.Gen, Exploit.pdf-js.gen

Summary

Exploit:W32/PDF-Payload.Gen is a generic detection for Portable Document Format (PDF) files that attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in the popular Adobe Acrobat Reader program.

Security programs use generic detections that look for broad patterns of code or behavior to identify similar programs or files. If you suspect the file was incorrectly detected, go to: Removal: Suspect a file is incorrectly detected (a False Positive)?.

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

This malware typically arrives as a PDF document sent as a email attachment, usually with a title related to current events or purporting to be some sort of form.

This type of malware may also be identified with the detection 'Exploit.PDF-Payload.Gen' or 'PDF-Payload'. The specific vulnerability targeted by the malicious PDF files varies depending on the specific variant.

Activity

If the document is run, successful exploitation results in additional malware executables being dropped/downloaded onto the system. A clean copy of the PDF may also be dropped and opened in Acrobat so as to give the illusion that everything is normal.