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Virus Central - Detailed

Virus Information

 

Name:

W32.Gokar.A@mm

Aliases:

 

Type:

Worm

Discovery Date:

December 12, 2001

Detection:

 

Virus Description:

This mass mailing worm attempts to send itself using Microsoft Outlook to all entries found in the Outlook Address book. It uses ICQ to spread as well. If you are running IIS you are at risk as well. (see Virus Effects)

E-mail Subject:

The subject is one of the following:

  • If I were God and didn't belive in myself would it be blasphemy
  • The A-Team VS KnightRider ... who would win ?
  • Just one kiss, will make it better. just one kiss, and we will be alright.
  • I can't help this longing, comfort me.
  • And I miss you most of all, my darling ...
  • ... When autumn leaves start to fall
  • It's dark in here, you can feel it all around. The underground.
  • I will always be with you sometimes black sometimes white ...
  • .. and there's no need to be scared, you re always on my mind.
  • You just take a giant step, one step higher.
  • The air will hold you if you try, trust my wings of desire. Glory, Glorified.......

E-mail Body:

The text of the message is one of the following:

  • Happy Birthday
  • Yeah ok, so it's not yours it's mine :)
  • The horizons lean forward, offering us space to place new steps of change.
  • I like this calm, moments before the storm
  • Darling, when did you fall..when was it over ?
  • Will you meet me .... and we'll fly away ?!
  • You should like this, it could have been made for you
  • speak to you later
  • They say love is blind ... well, the attachment probably proves it.
  • Pretty good either way though, isn't it ?
  • still cause for a celebration though, check out the details I attached
  • This made me laugh
  • Got some more stuff to tell you later but I can't stop right now
  • so I'll email you later or give you a ring if thats ok ?!
  • Speak to you later

Attachment:

The file name of the attachment consists a random number and some of these strings:

tgfdfg jhfxvc cgfd2 trevc t6tr ffdasf glkfh fhjdv qesac kujzv weafs twat rewfd gfdsf hgbv fdsc p0olik 3tgf rf43dr t54refd ut545a r4354gkjw vgrewu xw54re y343rv z3vdf

with a file extension chosen from one of the following:

  • .pif
  • .scr
  • .exe
  • .com
  • .bat

Virus Effects:

The worm then adds the mail user's name to the end of the message, and sends the mail to all addresses in your Microsoft Outlook address book.

Next, it copies itself to the \Windows folder as Karen.exe.

It then and adds the value

Karen c:\windows\karen.exe

to the registry key

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

This will cause the worm to be run on each time that you start Windows.

It then looks for the C:\Mirc folder. If it exists, it creates the file Script.ini in that location, so that it will attempt to send itself through mIRC when mIRC is run.

It also searches looks for the C:\inetpub\wwwroot folder, and, if found, it copies itself there as Web.exe. (This folder is found in Microsoft IIS web servers.) It then renames the Default.htm file to Redesi.htm, and it creates a new Default.htm file, which will display the text:

We Are Forever

Anyone who views this page will be asked to download the Web.exe file.

Removal Instructions:

Delete files detected as W32.Gokar.A@mm, remove the value that it added to the registry, and if necessary, rename C:\inetpub\Wwwroot\Redesi.htm to C:\inetpub\Wwwroot\Default.htm

To remove the worm files:
    1. Run LiveUpdate to make sure that you have the most recent virus definitions.
    2. Start Norton AntiVirus (NAV), and make sure that NAV is configured to scan all files. For instructions on how to do this, read the document How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files.
    3. Run a full system scan.
    4. Delete all files that are detected as W32.Gokar.A@mm

To edit the registry:

CAUTION: We strongly recommend that you back up the system registry before you make any changes. Incorrect changes to the registry could result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Please make sure that you modify only the keys that are specified. Please see the document How to back up the Windows registry before you proceed. This document is available from the Symantec Fax-on-Demand system. In the U.S. and Canada, call (541) 984-2490, select option 2, and then request document 927002.
    1. Click Start, and click Run. The Run dialog box appears.
    2. Type regedit and then click OK. The Registry Editor opens.
    3. Navigate to the following key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

    4. In the right pane, delete the following value:

    Karen     c:\windows\karen.exe

    5. Click Registry, and then click Exit

To rename Redesi.htm:
This only is necessary if you are running Microsoft IIS web servers software.
    1. Using Windows Explorer, browse to the C:\inetpub\wwwroot folder.
    2. Rename the Redesi.htm file back to Default.htm


Site Last Updated: December 18, 2001
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