AusCERT - AL-2007.0026 -- [Win] -- "Prime Minister heart attack" trojan

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AL-2007.0026 -- [Win] -- "Prime Minister heart attack" trojan
Date: 18 February 2007
References: AU-2007.0006 AL-2007.0033

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A  U  S  C  E  R  T                                           A  L  E  R  T

                       AL-2007.0026 -- AUSCERT ALERT
                                   [Win]
                   "Prime Minister heart attack" trojan
                             19 February 2007

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        AusCERT Alert Summary
        ---------------------

Product:              Microsoft Windows
Operating System:     Windows
Impact:               Execute Arbitrary Code/Commands
Access:               Remote/Unauthenticated

OVERVIEW:

        AusCERT has received reports, and has observed malicious emails 
        currently in circulation with a variety of subject lines, 
        including: 

          "Current Australia's Prime Minister survived a hear attack"
          "The life of the Prime Minister is in grave danger"
          "Prime Minister survived a heard attack"

        with a link to malicious websites, including:

          h**p://www,austr-news,com/
          h**p://www,theaunews,com/
          h**p://www,theau-news,org/


IMPACT: 	

        AusCERT is in the process of analysing this trojan and no conclusive 
        information about payload is available at this time. However, 
        similar incidents have been known to install code designed to steal 
        online credentials and modify security settings.


MITIGATION:

        Users should avoid clicking on any links in email, unless the email 
        was already expected. Unsolicited e-mail should always be treated 
        with suspicion. Additional countermeasures for protecting Windows 
        systems can be found on the AusCERT web site[1].


        System administrators may wish to consider monitoring their proxy 
        logs for access to the following URLs, or blocking them completely:

          h**p://www,austr-news,com/
          h**p://www,theaunews,com/
          h**p://www.theau-news.org/

          (redirecting to)

          h**p://apicesnn,net/

        Please note that the above urls have been intentionally modified.

        At the time of publication, the malware payload is not widely
        detected by most popular Anti-virus software.


DETAILS:

        The malicious email is HTML with content similar to:

        --- BEGIN EMAIL SAMPLE ---

        SYDNEY, February 18, 2007 08:56pm (AEDT) - The Prime Minister of 
        Australia, John Howard have survived a heart attack. Mr Howard, 67 
        years old, was at Kirribilli  House in Sydney, his prime residence, 
        when he was suddenly stricken. Mr Howard was taken to the Royal 
        North Shore Hospital where the best surgeons of Australia are 
        struggling for his life.

        Click on the link below to get the latest information on the health 
        of the Prime Minister:

        The Australian - keeping the nation informed

        John Howard was born on the 26th of July, 1939. Howard is Australia's 
        second longest serving Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party 
        in Australia.

        ...

        --- END EMAIL SAMPLE ---


REFERENCES:

        [1] Protecting your computer from malicious code
            http://www.auscert.org.au/3352

AusCERT has made every effort to ensure that the information contained
in this document is accurate.  However, the decision to use the information
described is the responsibility of each user or organisation. 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

===========================================================================
Australian Computer Emergency Response Team
The University of Queensland
Brisbane
Qld 4072

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.
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